The Virginia Board of Physical Therapy has published its intent to propose regulations on "dry needling" that would allow physical therapists in Virginia to practice what we all know constitutes “acupuncture" with a mere 54 hours of training.  This minimal level of training is of course far less than what is needed to safely insert acupuncture needles into patients and presents a serious threat to the reputation of acupuncture as a safe and effective practice.  It is also clearly outside the legal scope of practice for physical therapy adopted by Virginia’s General Assembly.