Dry needling of muscles has little to do with the technique of acupuncture;  dry needling is not a threat to those who wish to perform acupuncture. Also, I have never seen a physical therapist trained in dry needling have any interest whatever in performing acupuncture. Dry needling is not a threat to those who wish to perform acupuncture.

 Dry needling requires a thorough knowledge of muscular anatomy, and musculoskeletal function and physiology- both for safety of the technique, and for efficacy; no discipline in medicine surpasses physical therapists in this regard. Dry needling by physical therapists who have qualified in dry needling, per extra training, have made hundreds of my patients' quality of life dramatically better, over many years. Almost all of these patients had tried many remedies previously , without success. 

I also have personally had dry needling by physical therapists who have qualified in dry needling, on multiple occasions,  and I have had uniformly excellent results.

Physical therapy is the clear and  obvious medical discipline to perform the service of dry needling for our patients.

Wm. Teachey, M.D.