There are many risks associated with the use of acupuncture needles by PT who are not licensed by law to practice acupuncture.

These risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Injury to blood vessels, nerves, muscles, bones, and internal organs resulting from:

• incorrect direction, angle, and/or depth of insertion of acupuncture needles;

• inappropriate manipulation of acupuncture needles; and

• inappropriate passage of electrical current through acupuncture needles.

• Infection and cross infection—including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).