I have been utlizing Dry Needling in VA for over 7 years now with great success. I have been practicing physical therapy for over 19 years and this is one of the best treatment procedures I have come across in rate of success and ease of use. Patients get better faster and tolerate this modality very well. As musculoskeletal experts, we are more than qualified to perform this procedure. My knowlege and education of anatomy is extensive and more than enough to perform Dry Needling. We educate our patients appropriately to the procedure making sure that they understand this is not acupuncture. The only common denominator is the use of acupuncture needles. The argument that by using the acupuncture needle we are performing acupuncture is incorrect. The needles are simply a tool utilized. The clinical reasoning and goal of placing the needle into the hyperirritable area are very different than the goals an acupuncturist would be trying to accomplish with their treatment.  

The argument that  acupuncturists undergo 3000 hours of training should not overshadow the several years of education a physical therapist undergoes to attain their degree. Everyone is hung up on the safety of the patient based on hours of training, but overlooking the hours a PT puts into attaining their degree and training as well. No we may not all have it written down as exact number of hours, but when did 3000 become enough hours for acupuncturist? Who gets to decide how many hours makes someone proficient? I have treated literally thousands of clients with this technique, and have had NOT ONE adverse reaction or injury occur. 

I don't feel like any one field owns any one tool. Chiropractors use physical therapy modalities all of the time, they also are performing Dry Needling techniques (not as acupuncturists) because they are tools that no one owns.  I feel that I have the right and obligation to utilize the tools I feel comfortable with to get my patients better faster..... shouldn't this be the goal of all healthcare providers? If I am safely getting people better, shouldn't that be what matters, isn't this why we got into the healthcare field? Because it certainly seems like most people against me using this tool are more afraid to lose money or business and using this forum  as a way to prevent people from having the freedom to choose where to get their treatment.