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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 needling outside legally permitted professions. Staff also said the board uses national practitioner data and criminal-history checks to detect out‑of‑state discipline when applicants seek California licensure.
Public commenters described cases they believe involved non-acupuncturist clinicians using acupuncture needles. Neil Miller (CalATMA) reported receiving complaints alleging nurses in an Oakland health system were performing needling-based treatments; he asked the board to coordinate with the Medical Board and urge that profession to ensure clinicians follow the law. Committee staff confirmed they have reached out to the Medical Board to raise statutory provisions that bar a physician from directing other professionals to perform acupuncture where not authorized by statute.
Supporters of acupuncturist-provided trigger-point needling said acupuncturists are trained in musculoskeletal needling. Chad Huang, a licensed acupuncturist, cited classical and modern histories of point-based needling and warned that brief “course” training for non-acupuncturists may not provide adequate training to avoid severe complications such as nerve injury or pneumothorax.
Ending: Committee members urged the public to report suspected unlicensed practice so staff can investigate; staff will continue limited outreach to other health boards and to hospitals where concerns were reported.
