Dry Needling is in the scope of practice for physical therapist as it is based on Western Medicine philospohy. Physical Therapists have far more extensive education in human gross anatomy and physiology than Eastern medicine practitioners. Phsyical therapist are highly qualified to perform dry needling interventions following the examination, and evaluation of their findings to address barriers in performing activities of daily living or activities at work, home or in the community. I have been performing and teaching dry needling to physical therapist's in their entry level DPT education as well as post-professionally for over 10 years. Dry needling by physical therapists is a fundamentally different intervention as compared to acupuncture. In Georgia the acupuncturists had a simialr strategy of stating "dry needling was the practice of accupuncture and our legislative body added dry needling to our definition of the practice of physical therapy. Dry needling by physical therapists is based on western medicine philosophy to address dysfunctions in the neuromusculoskeletal system whereas accupuncture techniques are performed under eastern medicine philosophy. There is an overlap in the scope of practice between PT and accupuncturists, however the approcah and rationale are totally different. All patients should have access to health care professionals that can provide interventions for the relief of pain instead of receiving  prescriptions for addictive medications. In this day of addicition to opioid drugs the conversation should be how can we allow patients more access to practitioners to provide pain relieving intyerventions rather than one profession judging another on what they are qualified to do. There is a document that was produced by several state licensing boards in 2009 that addresses the overlapping scopes of practice and legislative considerations which adds clarity to this argument.

I am happy to provide further information if needed.