American Society of Acupuncturists Position on Dry Needling
“The American Society of Acupuncturists (“ASA”) opposes the illegal and unsafe practice of acupuncture. “Dry needling” is a pseudonym for acupuncture that has been adopted by physical therapists, chiropractors, and other health providers who lack the legal ability to practice acupuncture within their scope of practice. This strategy allows these groups to skirt safety, testing, and certification standards put into place for the practice of acupuncture. Dry Needling is a style of needling treatment within the greater field of acupuncture. The practice of “acupuncture” includes any insertion of an acupuncture needle for a therapeutic purpose. Acupuncture training has always included both traditional and modern medical understandings.”
AMA Position on Dry Needling
Resolution 223: Dry Needling is an Invasive Procedure
“recognize dry needling as an invasive procedure and maintain that dry needling should only be performed by practitioners with standard training and
familiarity with routine use of needles in their practice, such as licensed medical physicians and licensed acupuncturists.”
