Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Health Professions
 
Board
Board of Physical Therapy
 
chapter
Regulations Governing the Practice of Physical Therapy [18 VAC 112 ‑ 20]
Action Practice of dry needling
Stage NOIRA
Comment Period Ended on 12/30/2015
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12/29/15  11:10 pm
Commenter: Patrick Cunningham

In opposition to dry needling by physical therapists
 

I am writing to oppose the proposed rules to allow physical therapists to practice dry needling with 54 hours training. Physical therapists continue to make the argument that dry needling is not acupuncture. As an acupuncturist who has been needling trigger points for almost 30 years, I can assure you that I am practicing acupuncture. Trigger point needling is one of many techniques that acupuncturists use to treat musculoskeletal pain. I believe some physical therapists have misrepresented acupuncture in order to circumvent the acupuncture licensing requirement. 54 hours of training is completely inadequate, in fact it’s not even close to being sufficient.

I believe the physical therapy profession is better than this. I have been teaching acupuncture at the New England School of Acupuncture since 1988. Acupuncture colleges are similar to physical therapy colleges, they take the time to train their students properly so they can practice competently and safely. Let’s have mutual respect for our respective professions.

 

 

CommentID: 48504