I am spine surgeon specializing in operative and non-operative spine care with special expertise in spinal deformity.  I have been prescribing dry needling by PT as part of my non-operative practice for over 7 years with excellent results and no significant complications.  Dry needling is different from acupuncture (which also has its own uses and benefits), and helps improve the success of non-operative physical therapy treatement.  I am concerned that a turf war over this technique may ultimately limit my ability to get my patients the care they need and stronly support PT use of dry needling with appropriate education.

1.   Physical Therapists are highly educated and trained Medical Professionals who specialize in treating the Neurological, Muscular and Skeletal movement systems via many modalities and Dry Needling is one such modality.  Physical Therapists possess the anatomical, physiological and clinical knowledge to perform Trigger point Dry needling safely and effectively. PTs have several thousand hours of training in anatomy compared to a few hundred by acupuncturists.

2.   A recent study by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy found that 86% of the knowledge and skills required to perform Trigger Point Dry Needling is obtained in the entry level education of Physical Therapists when they graduate from an accredited program.  The post graduate training that is required fulfills the remaining education needed to obtain certification and practice safely and effectively.  Currently, 54 additional training hours are needed in addition to the training and education to become a Physical Therapist which is typically 3 years of didactic and clinical education culminating in a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree after obtaining a Bachelor's degree in a related undergraduate field of study.

3.   Trigger point Dry Needling is distinctly different from acupuncture as the treatment goal and method is different.  While they may use a similar implement or device, the clinical reasoning, technique, and goal of the treatment are different.  Trigger point Dry Needling specifically addresses hyperirritable loci in the muscle tissue to elicit a physiological response directly in the target muscle tissue to enhance and progress treatments performed by the Physical Therapists.  This response is similar to the response elicited by other treatment modalities frequently utilized by Physical Therapists.

4.   Dry needling is SAFE!! There is no evidence indicating that patients have been injured by physical therapists performing dry needling. There is, however, significant research and evidence regarding the therapeutic benefits of TDN

5.   One profession cannot own a technique or intervention. Both PTs and chiropractors can perform manipulation. Both physicians and physical therapists use stethoscopes and measure blood pressure. PTs and acupuncturists are both allowed to perform dry needling.