I am a licensed practicing PT in the state of Va . and that had done specific dry needling continuing education to be certified for level 1 dry needlling for muscle trigger points.

I agree with the proposed regulations below Regarding dry needling for theses reason.

1. Physical Therapists are highly educated and trained healthcare professionals who specialize in treating the neurological, muscular and skeletal movement systems via many modalities and dry needling is one such modality.  Physical Therapists possess the anatomical, physiological and clinical knowledge to perform trigger point dry needling safely and effectively. 

2.Trigger point dry needling is distinctly different from acupuncture as the treatment goal and method is different.  While both practices may use a similar implement or device, the clinical reasoning, technique, and goal of the treatment are different.  Accupunturist are not dry needling into a muscle trigger point so the affect the physical therapist do with the accupuncture needle for dry needling into a muscle trigger point give a different muscular physiological effect , that also enhances their exercise ability during that treatment session and with their home exercise program afterwards and can many time reduce the total # of treatment sessions needed to complete their rehab with meeting their PT plan of care goals .

3)I have been certified for level 1 dry needling with 2 continuing education  over 6 total days(  3 consecutive days at at time )and meeting the edcational hours for the state of  VA at this point required to dry needle patients in a PT clinic.My training included extensive review of muscle/nerve/trigger point anatomy/evaluation and physiological affect of t\dry needling and appropriate reloading exercises post needling for each muscle/body region to promote improvement in their daily function. and training for clean technique and emergency preparedness and contraindications/ precautions

4)Since I became certified ,I  am getting better muscle relaxation/pain reduction /immediate increase in range of motion of the body part to improve a patient's functional mobility than with just doing other PT modalities alone. It would be a shame not to offer this as part of physical therapy in the state of Virginia

In summary ,I feel confident that in our facility, I am  meeting all the elements of the proposed bill below in That : We are already in our facilties of inova obtaining a written referral that specifies dry needling procedure for each of our pt's ( A of the below proposed regulation ) and my training /ceritfication level included all the elements listed in B of the below proposal , and our written conscent form uses contains all the items in part C of the proposal below , an thus strongly encourage passage of the  the proposal for continuing dry needling in the PT practice act of Virginia

18VAC112-20-121. Practice of dry needling.

A. Dry needling is an invasive procedure that requires referral and direction in accordance with § 54.1-3482 of the Code of Virginia. Referral should be in writing; if the initial referral is received orally, it shall be followed up with a written referral.

B. Dry needling is not an entry level skill but an advanced procedure that requires additional training. The training shall be specific to dry needling and shall include emergency preparedness and response, contraindications and precautions, secondary effects or complications, palpation and needle techniques, and physiological responses.

C. Prior to the performance of dry needling, the physical therapist shall obtain informed consent from the patient or his representative. The informed consent shall include the risks and benefits of the technique and shall clearly state that the patient is not receiving an acupuncture treatment. The informed consent form shall be maintained in the patient record.