Hello, I'm writing to express my concern that physics therapists are lobbying to widen their scope of practice to include so-called "dry needling". I have been an acupuncturist for ten years and what they describe as dry needling is simply myofascial acupuncture, something I received hundreds of hours of training in during my basic acupuncture education in addition to the standard curriculum, and the techniques of which I use regularly in my practice. Since acupuncture is a system of medicine that continually grows and evolves, it includes many modern styles and physical/myofascial acupuncture is one of them. As with other acupuncture styles it takes extensive training to reach a level of competence and safety. I've met several patients who have had painful, ineffective needling treatments from incompetently trained physical therapists (assuming they were trained at all). The patients remarked at what a difference it was to be treated by a licensed acupuncturist. I refer patients frequently to physical therapists because they can do their job safely and effectively; likewise, they must refer patients for acupuncture to a licensed, highly trained specialist, in order to preserve the safety and legitimacy that has been gradually, rightfully earned for our profession.