Acupuncture & Dry Needling: Friends or Foes… Well, it depends on who you ask
On August 7, 2025, Oregon’s governor signed House Bill 3824 into law, which updates the state’s Physical Therapist Practice Act, allowing physical therapists to perform dry needling. The new rules will take effect on July 1, 2027.
What is Dry Needling? Officially recognized in modern medicine in the mid-20th century, dry needling is a therapeutic technique used by physical therapists and other trained healthcare professionals to treat musculoskeletal pain and movement impairments. It involves inserting thin, solid filiform needles into myofascial trigger points—tight, sensitive areas within muscles that cause pain and restrict movement. These trigger points often develop due to overuse, injury, or stress. When the needle penetrates a trigger point, it can produce a local twitch response, which is an involuntary muscle contraction. This response is believed to break the pain cycle, improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and help the muscle relax, potentially altering how the brain and spinal cord perceive pain. It is commonly used alongside traditional physical therapy to treat conditions such as back pain, neck pain, tendonitis, and sports injuries.
What is Acupuncture? Rooted in Chinese medicine found in texts as early as 200 BCE, acupuncture is a therapeutic technique used by licensed acupuncturists to treat musculoskeletal pain and movement impairments, supported by modern research and further validated by insurance coverage. The dry needling techniques, known as pistoning (lifting and thrusting) and twirling in acupuncture, are just two among many techniques available to acupuncturists for treating pain and various other non-pain conditions. These acupuncture methods produce the same proven effects as dry needling.
Ronald Melzack, Ph.D, a world-renowned expert in pain research, noted the correlation between trigger points and ashi points (points of pain) in 1977, when he reported in Pain that although these were discovered independently and labeled differently, they represent the same phenomenon and can be explained in terms of the same neural mechanisms. In 2008, in the German Journal of Acupuncture and Related Techniques, two medical doctors, Dorsher and Fleckenstein, demonstrated that of the 255 “common trigger points” in Travell’s Trigger Point Manual, 238 corresponded anatomically to classical channel-based acupuncture points, a level of agreement of 93.3%.
So, what’s the concern? Both professions require an advanced degree with a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, and hands-on clinical training. However, their key differences are what make each uniquely effective and ideal as adjunctive therapies. The term dry needling is often used to distance the practice from its Chinese medicine roots—bypassing the extensive training required of licensed acupuncturists. While acupuncturists receive 600–1000 hours of supervised needling training, many physical therapists complete as few as 25–50 hours.
House Bill 3824 passed without clearly defined training requirements. The Oregon Board of Physical Therapy is tasked with creating rules before the bill takes effect, limiting dry needling to musculoskeletal pain and movement issues. Even the American Medical Association classifies dry needling as an invasive procedure, requiring specialized training. For reference, the standard for physicians practicing acupuncture is 300 hours.
Many acupuncturists support broadening access to Chinese medicine—but safety must remain a priority. Serious risks like pneumothorax and nerve damage are rare with properly trained providers but rise significantly when performed by those under-trained. The stark differences in training raise genuine concerns about patient safety, quality of care, and public trust.
Dr. Jennifer Savage is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine and the owner of Wú Wéi Wellness in Old Town Beaverton, with over 25 years of experience in healthcare. To schedule an appointment, call 503.530.8097 or visit www.bewuweiwell.com.
