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Board reiterates that penetrating the skin with a needle is acupuncture; dry needling debate continues as practitioners report non-acupuncturists performing it
Summary
Committee members and stakeholders discussed dry needling/trigger point therapy, with staff noting that needling that penetrates the skin is treated as acupuncture under state law; public commenters reported instances of nurses and other non-acupuncturists providing needling techniques and urged enforcement or legislative clarity.
The committee addressed trigger-point acupuncture (often called “dry needling”) after multiple public commenters and board members raised concerns that some non-acupuncturist clinicians are performing percutaneous needling techniques in healthcare settings.
Board staff and legal counsel reiterated that California’s acupuncture statute treats needling that penetrates the skin as acupuncture. Ben Bodea said the board disciplines individuals who perform…
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