The DN Project - Keep dry needling within the scope of physical therapist practice

A needle is a tool. This is like saying a nurse shouldn't be able to use a stethoscope because s/he is not a doctor. We have a chronic pain problem in this country. There are plenty of patients to go around. These "turf wars" are completely unneccessary. Acupuncturists should be lobbying medicare to cover acupunture, not going after other professionally trained healthcare providers.

I have used both acupuncture (licensed in Australia) and dry needling and can categorically tell you they are vastly different methods. Physical Therapists are completely safe to use dry needling.

Support Dry Needling

Awesome way to administer physical medicine

Awesome way to administer physical medicined

How is this even debatable? If acupuncturists are threatened they should step up their game. We are an ideal profession to offer this service.

Dry needling is extremely helpful to my 40 year neck issues, I'd hate to see if go away in WA State!

PTS do this and it's an awesome procedure. Washington is NUTS

Dry needling has been very helpful in my physical therapy experience

Physical therapists help so many clients with the use of DN in their tool belt. With safe training, it is a safe treatment technique

The end state is providing the best care for the best price for patients.

Dry needling is a life saver

I definitely see dry needling benefiting many patients in WA state.

I have seen wonderful results from dry needling to releive pain and help heal soccer injured do to soccer in both of my granddaughters where physical therapy did not.

PTs are well educated professionals. Dry needling should continue to be in their scope of practice.

Minnesota license #5299. 22 years of experience in physical therapy. Dry needling practitioner for 3 years. I utilize dry needling with at least 75% of my patients.

I seek treatment from an acupuncturist for very different symptoms than the dry needling treatment I seek from a physical therapist. PT's are completely competent and have more education than acupuncturists comparatively.

Dry Needling has elevated my ability to treat patients. Through dry needling I have made patients better, which I would not have been able to have made better without Dry Needling. I have saved 2 people from having an MRI due to concerns of lingering pain. Plain and Simple: Dry Needling will save patients and insurance companies money as well as improving our patient's lives more quickly.

PTs are safely using this technique throughout the rest of the world and the majority of states in the U.S. It is certainly within the scope of PT practice given the significant education a PT receives in anatomy, biomechanics and neurology.

10 years ago Featured

Physical therapists have the education in the neuromusculoskeletal system to use dry needling safely and effectively. I have 37 years of experience as a PT and have integrated dry needling in my treatments over the past year with good results.