Dry Needling IS Acupuncture

About this campaign

In North Carolina, there are approximately 500 licensed acupuncturists along with some chiropractors, and medical doctors who are legally practicing acupuncture. In the U.S., there are approximately 30,000 acupuncturists legally practicing acupuncture with an average of 3,000 hours of training which includes a minimum of 650 supervised clinical hours.

Approximately 5,000 physical therapists are currently illegally practicing acupuncture across the country. Over 200 from our state are ignoring both the NC General Assembly and the Rules Review Commission.

Piercing the skin with a Class 2 medical device to produce a therapeutic effect IS acupuncture. The term "dry needle" is a reference to a solid, filiform needle as opposed to a hypodermic needle used for injecting a substance or drawing blood. Solid, filiform needles are regulated and all boxes labeled are labeled acupuncture needles by the Food and Drug
Administration. No matter what name is on the box, they are acupuncture needles to be used for the practice of acupuncture.

Legitimate procedural codes allowing health care providers to bill insurance are acupuncture codes because "dry needling" IS acupuncture.

"Dry needling" constitutes the practice of acupuncture and is illegal for anyone who is not a legally authorized pracitioner of aupunctur. "Dry needlng" is a serous risk to he public's health when those engaged n "dry needling" are not legally authorized as an acupuncturist and can have little to no training in the use of an acupuncture needle.

Please help the NCAAOM stop the illegal practice of acupuncture. "Dry needling" IS acupuncture. GET THE POINT!