Our state acupuncture association stands in unison with the Acupuncture Society of Virginia in opposing dry needling by Physical Therapists.  Despite the false rhetoric of the APTA and FSBPT, dry needling is acupuncture.  It was developed by traditional acupuncturists over millenia and has been researched and used by modern acupuncturists all over the world. This renaming and rebranding of our cultural and medical trademark acupuncture needles is unethical and has been shown to be illegal whenever reviewed by the judiciary (Oregon, and Washington courts).

In Iowa we will be seeking the same judicial review of the decision by the Iowa Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy to allow dry needling by physical therapists.  We had a very successful campaing for public comment which can be found on the following website:

http://idph.iowa.gov/Licensure/Iowa-Board-of-Physical-and-Occupational-Therapy

We formally enter into evidence for the Acupuncture Society of Virginia all of the public comments that were received by the Iowa PT Board.

You will notice that the supporters of our position did not limit their comments to the state of Iowa.  Our acupuncture profession is very well supported across the US by patients, health professionals and civic leaders.

The attempt to deceive the public by calling acupuncture another name, dry needling, is a moral and legal failure.  Your board should have the courage to correctly rule against the use of acupuncture needles by anyone other than licensed acupuncturists who are the properly trained, credentialled historical acupuncture professionals.

Sincerely,

William Terrell