Action | Practice of dry needling |
Stage | NOIRA |
Comment Period | Ended on 12/30/2015 |
When going to a brain surgeon, would you be please if they knew only 5% or less on how to perform their practice. The same is true for any other medicine or trade for that matter. Dry Needling is a very small technique in the practice of acupuncture. While phsical therapists argue it is different or based on Western knowledge, this is false. Just look at the textbooks they use where acupuncture is even in the title. Their lack of training sends them out to perform care for patients without adequate knowledge. They don't know what they don't know, so may feel prepared, but this is not the case. As a matter of safety, there are reported instances of pneumothorax from PTs and nerve damage.
If it comes down to saying that acupuncturists are trying to limit those who practice, we are not saying that, but if they are not adequately trained, and they are not, then yes we do not want physical therapists practicing. If comes down to supply and demand, then the equation must also be fair. Many PTs are billing acupuncture under a manual therapy code, which is not available for use by acupuncturists, and many patients do not have acupuncture. This then puts the patient unknowling in favor of an undertrained practitioner all because it is "covered" by insurance.
Thank you for your consideration and keeping the public safe.