For Policy Makers of Virgina.
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What is ASVA's stance on Dry Needling?Dry Needling, originally called Dry Needling Acupuncture, is a term developed by Physical Therapists to differentiate themselves from Acupuncturists in the 1970's. To perform dry needling, filiform, FDA approved "Acupuncture needles" are used. Dry Needling is a technique used in Sports/Orthopedic Acupuncture that is used by Licensed Acupuncturists, Chiropractors, and Physical Therapists. With appropriate training and practice, dry needling is very effective for pain management. Virginia has inadequate training laws and regulations to practice Dry Needling safelyLicensed Acupuncturists have a minimum requirement of 1,750 hours of clinical training for using Acupuncture needles, and Medical Doctors are required to have a minimum of 200 hours of additional training to use Acupuncture needles. In Virginia, Physical Therapists, and proposed Athletic Trainers, are allowed to use Acupuncture needles, called Dry Needling, with minimal training equivalent to a weekend certification course (30-50 hours). As written, physical therapists are allowed to practice dry needling without supervision of a Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, Chiropractor, Podiatrist and Dentist. HB841 (Downey) seeks to add dry needling to athletic trainers scope of practice under the supervision of a Medical Doctor, Osteopath, Chiropractor, Podiatrist and Dentist. However, it does not state that the supervisors need to have Dry Needling or Acupuncture training for supervision. These inadequate laws and regulations without equivalent educational mandates increase the likelihood of medical malpractice and pose a risk to patients who do not know the difference, leading to issues of informed consent under Virginia Consumer Protection Act guidelines. Allowing physical therapists and athletic trainers to perform dry needling without mandated educational requirements equal to Medical Doctors in Virginia, or without the supervision of a highly trained Acupuncture needle specialist (Acupuncturist or Medical Acupuncturist), prioritizes convenience over the "first do no harm" principle and ethics. The Human Cost: Life threatening injuries - The Case of Dry Needling and TJ Watt, NFL outside linebackerThe dangers of "minor" invasive errors are not theoretical. In December 2025, NFL Pittsburg Steeler's outside linebacker, TJ Watt, suffered a partially collapsed lung (pneumothorax) during a dry needling session at a professional team facility. Read article here. The needle penetrated too deeply necessitating emergency medical care to stabilize his lung. If this can happen to an elite athletes, the risk to the general Virginia public, treated in less controlled environments, is far higher. |