Dry needling is, in fact, the practice of acupuncture. If acupuncture needles are being inserted into the body, that is acupuncture. The practice of acupuncture is not bound by any single cultural, historical, or technical perspective. The lifting and thrusting technique most commonly associated with trigger point dry needling is but one of many needling techniques used in the practice of acupuncture. See this 2014 dry needling literature review.  It makes abundantly clear that dry needling is acupuncture. In Virginia, " "Practice of acupuncture" means the stimulation of certain points on or near the surface of the body by the insertion of needles to prevent or modify the perception of pain or to normalize physiological functions, including pain control, for the treatment of certain ailments or conditions of the body..." Before formally adopting rules allowing PTs to practice dry needling, it would seem it first must be ascertained whether or not acupuncture is within the scope of physical therapy. Notably, in Virginia, the practice of acupuncture explicitely does not include the practice of physical therapy. It would seem then, that if acupuncture is to be performed by physical therapists that a license to practice acupuncture would be required. Allowing PTs to perform acupuncture without meeting the requirements of the laws regulating acupuncture defeats the purpose of the existing regulatory scheme. Also, if allowed, where does one draw the line for practice by PTs? Already PTs elsewhere in the country are performing so-called cosmetic dry needling as well as treating other medical conditions. Calling a regulated practice or a regulated medical device by another name should not be allowable as a way to skirt existing requirements for the practice of acupuncture. Wally Doggett - Texas Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.