Good morning to all!        As an autonomous practitioner of both professions -- Physical therapist x 25 years and an Acupuncturist x 15 years, there is something to be said for experiential observation over the years.   When I was in PT school we were very upset that the chiropractors were charging for physical therapy, and they weren't physical therapists.  We were ed that they were a stronger profession in numbers and political force, thus doing whatever they pleased.         There is no blame for Physical therapists discovering the world of Chinese medicine/acupuncture--it draws toward itself the curious into its mystery.  It's effective in mobilizing energetically all systems of the body.   There is, however, an imbalance that seems to be perpetuating itself, and as the Whole that we are ALL part of--when one part of the system is out of control, the whole system suffers.     Here's a working metaphor:  let's say the PTs practicing acupuncture were a patient in my acupuncture practice.  I'd first notice the condition of the Heart--the struggle it has from living without integrity --by knowing the truth, but being irresponsible now for many years.  I then notice that the liver has become belligerent--stepping beyond any healthy boundaries into uncontrolled growth and expansion.  It is self absorbed, tunnel visioned toward its own end.  It isn't having any regard for the Lungs/large intestine, which have been quietly working with the Spleen to keep moving and transforming the sludge and mire to purify the system, it also is having trouble sorting what's true and what's not.  Since this is becoming chronic, the Kidneys, now quite deficient in its ability to properly contain the Liver, has lost all connection with the Heart.  Wisdom is not being heard, and there is fear of change.   This person has headaches, fibromyalgia, is becoming hard of hearing, and has idiopathic knee pain.  They had gone through a course of Physical Therapy which consisted of exercises, no manual hands on work (but Manual Therapy was charged), and because they were not showing improvement (and insurance ran out in 5 visits),were promptly discharged.                  As an acupuncturist requesting of my PT colleagues:  there is so much that can be developed within the PT profession--my advice is to contain yourselves and build integrity within.  This would look like actual manual skills (brilliant, I might say), something like the Upledger/Barral courses where one learns how to listen to the natural guidance of the body--one learns how to feel the structures, the depth and integrity of the human system and make effective influences.   This would also look like a freedom from the insurance companies limiting your creative and good care of your patients.  This would also look like depth and knowledge beyond that of what an aid, assistant, or athletic trainer could do.  If your PT practices aren't flourishing, it's because you're compromised in some way.   Lastly,  there would be proper referrals to acupuncurists for what we/they do best.   No one would want to have needles stuck in them by a PT who is practicing the most cursory, (crass, by our standards) and ignorant form of Acupuncture.   If you truly are interested in using needles to affect change, there are many schools that would be happy to have you.   It's a different, wonderful world, and you wouldn't begin to understand the depths of this ancient medicine/healing art until you humbly step into the learning of it.