I was in the original meeting, some years ago, betwee the Board of Medicine (BOM) (Dr. Harp & Ms.Yates), the Acupuncture Board (me and Elaine Kamerow) and representatives of the PT Board, whose names escape me but there were at least two of them.  That meeting was meant to discuss the issue of "dry needling" and what acupuncturists might say about it.  However, as we began, it was obvious to me that the "fix" was in.  The PT respresentatives had already determined that they were going to do dry needling and (it seemed to me) they wanted to figure out how to manage the reaction from licensed acupuncturists.  They could have the impunity to take this approach because the PTs are not under the BOM.  They have their own board and can do what they want.  If they were under the BOM, they would have had to comply with the acupuncture regulations.

Of course, Elaine and I raised objections:  The training was insufficient; Dry needing is acupuncture even though they claimed it was something else; There was danger to the public due to insufficient training and due to the fact that PTs don't understand that acupuncture is more than just sticking needles.  

The PT Board representatives presented a solution:  They would give their patients a paper that said, in effect, that dry needling was not acupuncture and that if the patient wanted acupuncture, they should seek that out. To me, this was unacceptable.  My opinion did not carry the day.  So, now, the PT Board wants to codify it's grab of acupuncture.  My objections still stand.  But because the PT board is independent, they have an unbeatable advantage - not one of reasoned delivery of excellent service for Virginians but one of greed, arrogance and impunity.  Good Luck, Virginia!  There be danger.