I am fully in support of PTs continuing to practice dry needling techniques. As a patient that occasionally requires dry needling in addition to my standard physical therapy, the benefits of having the procedure done in a professional office is extremely important to me. Physical therapists have taken many years of schooling and are licensed in the ways of manipulating the body for its healthiest and quickest healing process.  This should include the dry needling process for releasing unhealthy knots and tension in combination with traditional therapy methods. 

I've seen many comments on this board opposing PT's performing dry needling because they are not schooled in chi and body meridians. To refute this point, patients that are seeing a PT for dry needling aren't typically trying to reallign their chakras. They're trying to get relief from tension and pain and regain proper body mobility. That's why they are seeing a physical therapist vs a acupuncturist or practitioner of Chinese medicine.

Dry needling should continue to be part of a PT's range of options for treatment where they can seamlessly transition their patient from one therapy to another within one office setting. The benefits of being able to use dry needling in combination with other PT techniques while the muscles and body are in a state of stimulation from movement and healing are substantial. While individual situations vary, if the patient were to receive physical therapy and then drive across town for acupuncture, their body would already be in "recovery mode", thereby making the acupuncture treatment less effective than if their body were in an active or stimulated state. *To be clear, I am not a professional, I am merely relating from my own experiences*

In conclusion, I fully support PT's being able to continue to using dry needling as part of their therapies.