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 Proposed
Comment Period Ended on 7/26/2019
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7/24/19  11:07 am
Commenter: Kasey Ray, Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens

Support for PT performing dry needling in VA
 

Dry needling is a technique used by physical therapists for the treatment of pain and movement impairments. Dry needling is NOT acupuncture, a practice based on traditional Chinese medicine and performed by acupuncturists. Dry needling is part of modern western medicine principles and supported by research done in part by Physical Therapists. As part of their entry level education, physical therapist are well educated in anatomy and therapeutic treatment of the body. Physical therapist who perform dry needling supplement that knowledge by obtaining specific, postgraduate education and training. 

Trigger point dry needling is within the scope of practice for Physical Therapists and I support this regulation being approved. 

CommentID: 74000