As a long time physical therapy patient of a practice in Southside Virginia, I have had a variety of treatment methods utilized to assist me with pain, sensation, mobility, and post surgical recovery. At the suggestion of my DPT, I tried dry needling and found it to be helpful during my lengthy and on-going rehabilitation process.  Though my orthopaedic surgeon provided specific orders for my DPT, I did ask him specifically if he had an issue with the use of dry needling during my post surgical recovery process. He was not in opposition, but I feel that he was skeptical about the anticipated outcomes. I call it the "I'm the cutter, you're merely the laborer" syndrome. Many MDs don't understand the practice and how it works; this leads to skepticism amongst the medical field. I believe if a PT patient has proven outcomes from dry needling and has a certified DPT who is educated, technically superior, confident, and compassionate the decision should be between the patient and the DPT. I support the concept that there should not be a need for a referral by a physician in order to receive access to dry needling in a physical therapy clinic. An educated patient and a well-trained DPT should be able to make the decisions necessary to improve quality of life.