I wish to express my strong opposition to the practice of dry needling by physical therapists. If permitted,  I believe it will have a detrimental effect on public health and safety. Unlike licensed acupuncturists, who have a minimum of three years and 3000-4000 hours or more of classes in physiology, theory,  practice, and supervised training, physical therapist would have a mere 50+ hours before inserting needles in patients. Professional acupuncturists learn hundreds of recognized acupuncture points, they are thoroughly trained in clean needling technique and blood-borne pathogens; and they complete a lengthy internship, performing acupuncture treatment under close supervision.

Physical therapists are well trained and expert in their scope of practice. However, if they are permitted to do needling, this would also serve to create confusion among the public that they are performing the same therapies as professional acupuncturists, when in fact the training and understanding of the principals involved would be minimal and inadequate.