In order to become a licensed Physical therapist, a person must graduate from an accredited college and pass a state board test.  Physical therapists are also required to have clincial experience as part of their training.  I have personally utilized trigger point dry needling therapy and acupuncture at various times in my life for pain and muscle related issues and injuries.  Both modalities are very different and are alternative therapies that are helpful to a person who chooses this route. Dry needling has allowed me to gain my full range of motion back after a fractured shoulder injury.  It has also helped to reduce my level of pain.  Acupuncture has been beneficial to me as well for relaxation and nerve pain.  There is no reason to change the regulations for dry needling.  The practice is safe and it heals.  The instances of dry needling causing harm is less than 1 percent.  I continue to seek dry needling as my source of relief to alleviate my pain.  Dry needling allows me to live my life more fully with pain free days.