I am APPALED that this is even on the board for discussion!  Since WHEN did putting thin filiform needles (i.e. ACUPUNCTURE needles) INTO a patient ever become a good idea by a physical therapist?  This has ALWAYS been a technique belonging to the acupuncture profession for the past 2500 years!  It's called Ashi needling and it is part of the acupuncture curriculum.  It is a technique that has ALWAYS and ONLY been in the "tool box" of the acupuncturist and NEVER the physical therpist.  Their job is physical medicine:  97140:  Manual Therapy Technique, etc.  We are not allowed ot use such codes in billing when we do manual therapy technique, why should they be allowed to use OUR MEDICINE?!

Would it be acceptable for them to perform anesthsia on a patient with only a year of training instead of a patient going to a hospital under the care of a licensed anesthesiologist?!  Ashi needling (aka Dry needling) belongs to ACUPUNCTURE and if they want their patients to have this therapy, they need to be referred to an ACUPUNCTURIST.  This is NOT and should NEVER BE part of their scope of practice!

Maintain the integrity of our medicine and our profession and vote AGAINST DRY NEEDLING!