Patients default to whomever their MDs refer them to and what CMS pays for. Currently CMS pays well for dry-needling by PTs, but does not pay for Acupuncture Medicine by Doctors of Oriental Medicine (DOMs). The title is determined by state licensure but the licensure and degree requirements are the same! so this is about money! MDs must realize that when they refer a patient to a PT department that does dry-needling, their patient will receive a "procedure" by a professional with the lesser training, expertise, education,and understanding of a "Whole MEDICINE System (WMS)". Acupuncture is only one aspect to the WMS of Chinese Medicine (CM). The other 3 WMS, as deemed by the World Health Organization are Western, Ayurvedic, Homeopathic, and Naturopathic Medicines. Our training is no less rigorous than MD's (4+ years). CM is a hard study that continues to be a Life long study after graduation. MDs realizing all this, have surley voiced against dry-needling by non acupuncture medicine professionals in the form of the 2016 AMA's policy statement against it!