Dry needling is not acupuncture, but they use acupuncture needles.. There's no reason physical therapists should be allowed to do ithis practice with such minimal training. I have seen patients in my practice that were injured by dry needling.  They thought they would save money by going to a chiropractor who practiced dry needling, not even a chiropractor who practiced acupuncture. Unfortunately, they came into my office with permanent marker in dots on their back, through which the clinician had placed the needles  which gave them no relief, because their condition was much more complex than the therapist had assessed.  Physical therapists already have enough tools in their scope of practice. If they feel they are unable to care for their patients with those tools,  they should consider referring out. Dry needling is not the answer. Dry needling with such minimal training will not be an asset to anyone's  practice.

 Additionally, as a licensed acupuncturist, I do not feel that dry needling is a threat to my practice or profession. I am primarily concerned that it is a threat to the patient.  Those very same acupuncture needles that are used for dry needling can be used to provide much relief from many complaints of all etiologies,  but not in the hands of someone who doesn't understand the body's physiology from a Chinese medicine perspective.