Letter to the Editor: Dry Needling Best Left to Acupuncturists

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Acupuncture needles/photo courtesy of shutterstock.com
Acupuncture needles/photo courtesy of shutterstock.com

Acupuncture needles/photo courtesy of shutterstock.com[/caption] To the Editor: Your recent article on physical therapists versus acupuncturists (Acupuncturists, Physical Therapists Battle Over Treatment, May 7) was too slanted in favor of physical therapists. As a former attorney for Medicare, dry needling is better left in the hands of acupuncturists. They have over 1,000 hours in needle training. The PTs in Florida are not required to get needle training before they poke 4-inch needles into patients. For a fact, the Office of Inspector General is investigating patient harm and false billings to Medicare for dry needling. Dry needling is identical to acupuncture; they use the same needle. This is why the larger states of New York and California have rejected attempts by physical therapists attempt to use dry needling. The Florida consumer should be aware that physical therapy has its rightful place in medicine, but using 4-inch needles is not one of them Your readers should see the harm physical therapists cause patients by looking at the National Center for Acupuncture Safety and Integrity, which keeps track of such injuries. Jonathan SchumanAttorneyWest Palm Beach

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