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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12/30/15  11:28 pm
Commenter: Amy Matecki, MD, L.Ac.

Physical Therapists do not have enough education to perform Dry Needling
 

I graduated from Medical School in 1989, and also studied Chinese Medicine and acupuncture for a year from 1991 to 1992. I moved to California in 1994. I fulfilled all requirements to start Internal Medicine internship and residency training from 2000 to 2003, receiving MD licensure in California in 2002. I studied acupuncture and herbal medicine for 300 hours with the Academy for Pain Research (recognized by American Board of Medical Acupuncture) in 2004. At the end of 2004 I founded the integrative oncology program in one of the community hospital, where I have been Director of Integrative Medicine since 2008. I went on to study Chinese Medicine systemically in my spare time from 2006 to 2009, earning my master degree and passing the California Acupuncture Licensing Exam. As a physician, I know how complicated Chinese Medicine is and I believe the extensive education, rigorous study and training in Chinese Medicine is required for protecting patient's safety. 

I am strongly against the practice of acupuncture without proper education and training. Medical acupuncturists are licensed physicians who studied medicine for a minimum of four years, completed at least three years of residency training, studied acupuncture for 300 hours and passed the Medical Acupuncture Board Exam. The complexity of Chinese Medicine requires many hours of focused, supervised training to practice safely. It is impossible that proper technique can be learned with fifty hours of training as has been proposed with Physical therapists.

CommentID: 48807