THREE IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
(January 2018)
1. BOARD IS SEEKING TO EXTEND DRY NEEDLING REGULATIONS. The Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners is seeking to amend the required date of dry needling registration from June 19, 2018, to January 1, 2019.
The change is to give the Board and licensee time to fully implement the registration process and to answer frequently asked questions about registration requirements. Licensees should frequently check the Board website for updates.
2. DRY NEEDLING SHOULD BE PROPERLY DESCRIBED. Per the regulations,
"Dry needling" means a physical therapy intervention, also known as intramuscular manual therapy, that:
(a) Involves the insertion of one or more solid needles, a mechanical device, into the muscle and related tissues to affect change in muscle and related tissues;
(b) Requires ongoing evaluation, assessment, and re-evaluation of the impairments;
(c) Is only utilized in parts of the body with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal links to the impairment.” (COMAR 10.38.12.02)
It is not appropriate for physical therapists to describe dry needling as “medical acupuncture,” “electro-acupuncture,” or dry needling treating anything not related to neuromuscular or musculoskeletal linked impairments. Such descriptions are outside the scope of physical therapy and may lead to disciplinary action by one or more health occupation board.
3. PRACTICE ACT REVIEW. The Board is undertaking a review of a significant portion of the Board’s regulations. Please check the Board’s website for additional information. The Board is in the planning stages of a town hall meeting, tentatively for Spring 2018.
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