I received my BS in PT in 1997. In 2001, I began my FOUR YEAR education in Acupuncture where a large part of our curriculum involved the works of Dr Janet Travell and how ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLING of TRIGGER POINTS can be used to eliminate myofascial pain conditions. It was taught that "dry needling" was a specialized TECHNIQUE of Acupuncture. The physiology behind (Acupuncture) needle insertion is to elicit circulatory, neurological and endocrine changes within the tissue and system as a whole. Acupuncture needling (despite the technique used) is to be a change agent for the system and to induce homeostasis through these many physiological channels, despite the PTs viewpoint that an Acupuncturist "only moves Qi" which is a gross neglect of knowing what we actually do. Having had the opportunity to learn from Dr. Mark Seem, who brought this Trigger Point technique to the school that he founded in NYC in the 80's after singlehandedly working with Dr. Janet Travell. This technique involves well over a 50+/- continuing education weekend which is precisely WHY I chose a FOUR YEAR EDUCTION in Acupuncture.

All Acupuncturists including those that specialize in treating myofascial pain conditions who employ Trigger Point "Dry Needling" in their current practice are astutely aware of needle insertion depth as this important information is taught throughout our education and cumulates in a National Board exam. (We cannot legally practice without passing this exam.) PT's in a weekend course couldn't possibly be aware of insertional depths and organ positions as needling a live body is completely different than expereincing opening up a cadaver while in PT school. Yet, when perusing the hashtag #dryneedling on social media sites such as Twitter, one can clearly see that PT's that are Dry Needling are often plunging needles well beyond appropriate depths along with inappropriate commentary that should never go along with "patient care". In addition to these potentially HIPAA violating pictures of patients, one can often see that those very PT's who are "proud of their Dry Needling work" often have Acupuncture points clearly written on the skin as to be used as either points to be needled (such as PTs who are treating Sinusitis with Dry Needling) or as guides to where active Trigger Points are located. If they are using Acupuncture point location for their attempt at Dry Needling then THEY THEMSELVES ARE ILLEGALLY PROVIDING ACUPUNCTURE. These pictures are a clear example of negligence on the part of their practice act.

With this and so much more that can be written, I STRONGLY OPPOSE that you allow PTs to Dry Needle and set a precedence for the rest of the states that will come to follow. 

Respectfully yours, 

Bianca Beldini, MSOM, LAc, PT

Acupuncturist / Physical Therapist