P.T.'s are more than qualified to perform dry needling.  The physical therapy curriculum includes extensive education in clinical sciences, physiology, and anatomy to include cadaver dissection.  Through the required post graduate study to be able to specifically perform dry needling, we not only learn safe and effective needle handling skills, but also receive further education in the clinical science, anatomy, and physiology that is most pertinent to dry needling.  There is a large body of research supporting the safety and efficacy of dry needling performed by physical therapists. 

Dry needling performed by physical therapists is not acupuncture.  The only simularity is the use of a solid filament needle.  In fact, dry needling is a technique employed by many different types of health care and medical professionals.  Dry needling is focused on resolving contractured segments of muscle commonly called trigger points.  Dry needling resolves local and referred pain coming from the trigger points and helps to restore muscle function.  These things are explicitly communicated to our patients verbally as well as in writing.  If we have a patient interested in pursuing acupuncture we refer them to a qualified acupuncturist. 

Dry needling is an effective and invaluable technique among many that we as P.T.'s employ to address our patients' physical impairments and to help eliminate their functional disabilities.  It is an integral part of physical therapy.