Dry needling uses acupuncture needles which are regulated by the FDA as medical devices.  In order to keep the public safe and to upkeep the oath to first 'do no harm, all who use acupuncture needles on patients must be properly educated, tested and licensed.  Acupuncturists are required thousands of hour of education, must take regirous examinations prior to being licensed at the state level, all professionals who want to use acupuncture needles should be held to the same degree of accountability in order to not do harm.

Dry needling is no different than its equivalent term 'ahshi acupuncture point' needling.