For several years, U.S. jurisdictions have sought information from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) regarding the ability of physical therapists to perform dry needling. However, no publically available studies have explicitly examined what PTs must know and be able to do to perform dry needling safely and effectively. 

FSBPT contracted with the Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO) to conduct the study in accordance with current best-practices in practice analysis procedures. 

HumRRO is a non-profit, social and behavioral science research and consulting firm dedicated to the measurement and improvement of human and organizational performance. As an independent contractor, HumRRO was instrumental in carrying out an objective, unbiased analysis. 

More than four-fifths of what PTs need to know to be competent in dry needling is acquired during the course of their entry-level education, including knowledge related to evaluation, assessment, diagnosis and plan of care development, documentation, safety, and professional responsibilities. 

Advanced or specialized training, almost solely related to the needling technique and the psychomotor skills, is required to make up the deficit.

Read the report here: http://www.fsbpt.org/FreeResources/RegulatoryResources.aspx

For more information, contact professionalstandards@fsbpt.org