Immediate action needed! The Board of Acupuncture in the State of Maryland is demanding unreasonable regulations and educational requirements for physical therapists utilizing trigger point dry needling as part of their practice. Dry needling has been included in the physical therapy practice act in Maryland since 1984. The Maryland State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners has been patiently working with the Board of Acupuncture to resolve this issue; however, their work is in jeopardy of being undone if feedback from the public is not received by September 28. This is important because we can bet that it will happen in other states if this Board of Acupuncture initiative is successful in Maryland. Let your voice be heard – demand that physical therapists retain the right to use dry needling in their scope of practice! Information via Kineticore’s website about background and what to do: http://bit.ly/OPbCPw Information from the State of Maryland about what to do, with email addresses, fax numbers and phone numbers to let your voice be heard: http://1.usa.gov/So7TYQ Template of letter to email, fax, or snail mail: HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO Please help in showing support for the Board of Physical Therapy and the right of qualified PTs to perform this technique. We need individuals (both PTs, patients, and even other providers) to submit written comments via email or hard copy letter to the Secretary of Health. Step 1. Draft your comment letter. Please see the below template and suggested talking points. It is vital that comment letters stress the advantages to public health of physical therapists performing dry needling. In addition comment letters need to emphasize that the proposed training and safeguards by the Board of Physical Therapy are more than adequate to ensure safe practice. Step 2. Submit your comment letter. Send […]
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