The Florida State Oriental Medical Association (FSOMA) took on the Board of Physical Therapy, allegeding that "physical therapists are not adequately trained in the insertion of filiform needles into the human body and carries the potential for harm to patients and the profession of acupuncture."¹

An argument to this effect pointed to a policy statement issued by the American Medical Association (AMA) at its 2016 Annual Meeting stating that dry needling is "an invasive procedure and ... should only be performed by practitioners with standard training and familiarity with routine use of needles in their practice, such as licensed medical physicians and licensed acupuncturists." The press release announcing the AMA policy specifically mentioned physical therapists in terms of "lax regulation and nonexistent standards" surrounding the invasive practice of dry needling.¹

FSOMA sent out an email to members announcing the win and posted a statement on their website, "An Administrative Law Judge at the Division of Administrative Hearings issued a final order today in favor of the Florida State Oriental Medical Association (FSOMA), declaring the Board of Physical Therapy Practice Proposed Rule pertaining to Dry Needling invalid."²

Although this ruling is only for the state of Florida the precedent has been set—with hope that other states will soon follow with similar rulings.

References

1. Florida State Oriental Medical Association vs. Department of Health, Board of Physical Therapy Practice and Florida Physical Therapy Association, 2018; 11-22.
2. Florida State Oriental Medical Association, fsoma.org, 2019.

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