03/25/2026
I rarely ask for participation here, but there is a California State bill that is going to the Assembly which will give Physical Therapists the right to needle patients after minimal acupuncture training (some states allow PTs to needle after a weekend seminar) This is not only about patient safety and the dilution of an entire medical system that is over 3,000 years old, but the false narrative that acupuncturists don't already: treat musculoskeletal issues, don't already do dry needling or don't do orthopedic acupuncture. My ask here is that you cut and paste the following document and send a letter to your Assembly Member asking them to oppose this bill. Find your representative here: https://www.assembly.ca.gov/ Help save the integrity of our medicine and keep acupuncturists the experts in needling.
Here's a draft to use:
Title: OPPOSE AB2497
Physical Therapists will be bringing forth AB2497 to allow them to practice acupuncture under the name of "Dry Needling," which in short, is unlicensed, untrained acupuncture. By taking a weekend course, they will be able to needle clients with acupuncture needles, into acupuncture points and begin to endanger the public. Licensed Acupuncturists in California have to take over 2800 hours of training, including 700 hours of monitored clinical internship, complete 250 observed clinical patient treatments and be certified in Clean Needle Technique; only then can we sit for our boards.
By allowing PTs to access needles after a 24 hour class will:
Put patient safety at risk: dry needling involves invasive procedures that fall within the established training and licensure of acupuncturists,
Scope Integrity: This bill blurs professional boundaries and sets a precedent for scope erosion,
Professional Recognition: Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine risk being diluted and misrepresented.
Although this bill does not specifically state “needle”,” dry needle”, “acupuncture”. The American Physical Therapy Association defines Dry Needling as “a skilled intervention that uses a thin filiform needle to pe*****te the skin and stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points, muscular, and connective tissues for the management of neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments.”
I'm asking Assemblymember (YOUR REP’S NAME HERE) to vote against this bill.
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