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Dry Needling Practice Alert

Disclaimer: Law, rules and regulations, not Alerts, specify the requirements for practice and violating them constitutes professional misconduct. Not adhering to this Alert may be interpreted as professional misconduct only if the conduct also violates pertinent law, rules and regulations, some citations of which are listed at the end of this Alert.

The Cleveland Clinic describes dry needling as a treatment used for pain and movement issues associated with myofascial trigger points. With this technique, a provider inserts thin needles into or near trigger points. The needles stimulate muscles, which causes them to contract or twitch. This helps relieve pain and improve range of motion.

Currently, there is no official New York State definition of dry needling. However, pursuant to their scope of practice, licensed acupuncturists are authorized to provide dry needling services. In addition, licensed physicians and dentists may apply for a certification to use acupuncture pursuant to Commissioner’s Regulation §60.9.

Education Law §8211defines the practice of acupuncture in relevant part as "treating, by means of mechanical, thermal or electrical stimulation effected by the insertion of needles or by the application of heat, pressure or electrical stimulation ... "

Education Law §6551 defines the scope of practice for chiropractors as, “detecting and correcting by manual or mechanical means structural imbalance, distortion, or subluxations in the human body for the purpose of removing nerve interference and the effects thereof, where such interference is the result of or related to distortion, misalignment, or subluxation of or in the vertebral column.” Based on the foregoing, there is no authority for chiropractors to treat by the insertion of needles. Therefore, they are precluded from performing dry needling in New York State.