I am a physical therapist who performs dry needling in Virginia under the current guidelines.  I agree that formal training needs to be done prior to performing the procedure, proper handling of needles and safety precautions/contraindications of needling were not covered in my physical therapy schooling.  I feel the current training requirements are sufficient. 

However, physical therapists do have extensive knowledge of anatomy and its role in physical dysfunction.  I see a needle as a tool, and in the hands of various people with differing skill sets, a tool can be utilized successfully for many different tasks.  Needles allow licensed medical assistants to safely draw blood from a vein, or a registered nurse to administer a vaccine.  An orthopaedic surgeon can aspirate fluid from a joint and nephrologist can take a biopsy from a patient's kidney, both safely using a needle within their field of knowledge.  Physical therapists do not have training to perform accupuncture, and should disclose to patients that accupuncture treatments may provide a different benefit.  But please let us continue to utilize a needle as a tool to safely treat patients who suffer from musculoskeletal conditions.  Stethoscopes are not just for cardiologists, and solid filament needles can be used by safely by both accupuncturists and physical therapists.