What category is dry needling under?

Asked by: Dina Koss  |  Last update: April 2, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (70 votes)

Dry needling treats muscle tissue with the goal of reducing pain, inactivating trigger points and improving movement. Typically, it's used as part of a broader physical therapy approach that includes other physical therapy treatments.

What does dry needling fall under?

There are many similarities and differences between dry needling and acupuncture. Licensed physical therapists in a growing number of states can use dry needling under the scope of their practice. Dry needling also falls within the scope of acupuncture practice.

What license do you need for dry needling?

Prerequisites for Dry Needling Certification

Typically, medical doctors (MD/DO), physical therapists (PT), occupational therapists (OT), chiropractors (DC), and in some cases, athletic trainers (ATC) are the only licensed medical professionals allowed to dry needle in a state.

What type of service is dry needling?

Dry needling is a newer treatment and evolved in the last few decades. It focuses exclusively on treating musculoskeletal and neuromuscular pain by releasing trigger points. Acupuncture restores energy flow, while dry needling targets dysfunctional muscle trigger points.

What certification do you need to dry a needle?

Certification in Dry Needling® will be awarded upon successful completion of the DN-1 & DN-2 dry needling courses, giving 54 hours of hands-on dry needling education in total. Each 3-day dry needling course is $895. All dry needling courses are approved for CEUs for PTs, ATs, and DCs.

NAT Master Course - Dry Needling for Trigger Points

19 related questions found

What profession is dry needling?

Dry needling is a technique that acupuncturists, physical therapists and other trained healthcare providers use to treat musculoskeletal pain and movement issues. It's almost always used as part of a larger pain management plan that could include exercise, stretching, massage and other techniques.

Can anyone do a dry needling course?

GEMt's introductory dry needling course is designed for qualified manual therapists, such as physiotherapists, physical therapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, Myotherapists, Remedial Massage Therapists and GP's, or sports physicians with a particular interest in musculoskeletal disorders.

Why is dry needling illegal?

Opponents argue that dry needling may encroach upon the scope of practice of professions such as acupuncture and chiropractic care, leading to concerns about patient safety and competence.

How much can you charge for dry needling?

How Much Does a Dry Needling (1 session) Cost? On MDsave, the cost of a Dry Needling (1 session) ranges from $31 to $92. Those on high deductible health plans or without insurance can shop, compare prices and save.

What type of service is Microneedling?

Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure using thin needles. The procedure can help reduce the appearance of skin concerns such as acne scars, stretch marks or wrinkles. Most people get microneedling for cosmetic purposes, but it can also help with some medical conditions.

How much does a dry needling therapist get paid?

$70,000 - $90,000

Conduct thorough evaluations, diagnoses, and create…

Is dry needling certification worth it?

Dry needling has emerged as a valuable tool in a physical therapist's arsenal for treating pain and musculoskeletal dysfunction. If you're a PT considering adding dry needling to your practice, obtaining a proper dry needling certification course is crucial.

What documentation is needed for dry needling?

The minimal requirements for documenting dry needling are in addition to and not in place of normal physical therapy notes, and include at least the following information: i. The anatomical region treated; ii. The manner in which the patient tolerated the treatment; and iii. The clinical outcome of the treatment.

Do you need a license to do dry needling?

The majority of states concur with the APTA's stance that dry needling is not included in the physical therapist's entry-level education. Therefore, a therapist is required to obtain advanced level continuing education or other formal training on dry needling technique.

What is the name of the certification for dry needling?

CDN (Certification in Dry Needling) using “The Original Dry Needling Method”, is a comprehensive educational program with immediate clinical applications that enables the qualified health care professional to achieve clinical excellence and expertise in this very effective and efficient approach for the treatment of ...

How do you code dry needling?

New Dry Needling Codes

The code terminology for the procedure is "needle insertion without injection." They are: 20560 — Needle insertion(s) without injection(s); 1 or 2 muscle(s) 20561 — Needle insertion(s) without injection(s); 3 or more muscle(s)

Will insurance cover dry needling?

The good news is that some insurance plans do cover dry needling, but there are limitations to this coverage. The types of insurance that may cover dry needling include health insurance. However, coverage may vary depending on the specific plan and the reason for seeking treatment.

Who is qualified for dry needling?

The American Physical Therapy Association states that Dry Needling is within the scope of practice for a Physical Therapist. Several other health professions cite that dry needling is within their specific scope of practice as well.

Can physical therapists bill for dry needling?

Know the CPT codes - In the United States, the most commonly used CPT for dry needling is the following: CPT code 97140 is often used with other manual therapy techniques for dry needling. CPT code 20552 classifies injections, single or multiple trigger points on one or two muscles.

What states do not allow dry needling?

The ability of PTs to practice dry needling is a state decision, and according to the American Physical Therapy Association website, there are only six states left that do not allow dry needling – California being one. In 36, states, dry needling is legal; seven states have no opinion.

Why is dry needling bad for you?

Since dry needling involves a needle penetrating the skin, iatrogenic injury to vessels, nerves, spinal cord, internal organs, implanted devices, or infection are possible hazards for patients.

What is better than dry needling?

Dry needling and acupuncture both involve puncturing the skin with thin needles for therapeutic purposes. While their shared aim is often pain relief, acupuncture currently has more support in research. Practitioners of dry needling attempt to release tension from knots and pressure points in muscles.

How long is a dry needling course?

54 hours of training required within a 12-month window. 27 hours required prior to use in-clinic. 50 hours of dry needling training required before being able to use dry needling in the clinic. 40 of the 50 hours must come from in-person training.

Who is not a candidate for dry needling?

For example, individuals with bleeding disorders, compromised immune systems, or a fear of needles may not be suitable candidates for dry needling. Additionally, there are certain anatomical areas where dry needling should be approached with caution to avoid potential complications or injuries.

Can nurses do dry needling?

As such, dry needling is allowed by PTs and acupuncturists. There is no law yet that allows RNs to perform this technique.