Blog - AAPAS

AAPAS strongly opposes AB 2497, which would authorize physical therapists to perform dry needling in California.

April 20, 2026 by AAPAS

The American Alliance for Professional Acupuncture Safety (AAPAS) strongly opposes AB 2497, which would authorize physical therapists to perform dry needling in California. This issue is fundamentally about patient safety and maintaining professional standards for invasive procedures. 1. Dry Needling Is Acupuncture Under California law, dry needling qualifies as acupuncture: it involves insertion of FDA-regulated … Read more

AAPAS eight board member sitting a round table.

Oppose Virginia Petition 18 VAC 85 ‑ 120

May 6, 2025 by AAPAS

AAPAS is urging you to oppose Virginia Public Petition 18 VAC 85-120, Amend regulations to permit athletic trainers to use the modality of dry needling. You may do so by going to the petition web page and leaving a public comment. You my compose your own messasge or copy and paste the example messsage listed … Read more

An elderly woman being treated with acupuncture.

H.R.3313- Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act of 2021

December 29, 2023March 9, 2023 by AAPAS

In early 2021, CMS announced that Medicare would now cover acupuncture treatments for chronic lower back pain. The elderly would have 20 sessions of acupuncture treatment under Medicare since then. This was originally thought to have been exciting news for the elderly. However, these patients soon found out that although acupuncture was covered by Medicare, … Read more

Woman's head on a pillow, eyes closed, is being treated by an acupuncturist.

First Public Announcement of the American Alliance for Professional Acupuncture Safety

December 29, 2023February 17, 2016 by AAPAS

Greetings fellow American acupuncturists! We are writing to announce the formation of the American Alliance for Professional Acupuncture Safety (AAPAS)that we have formed as a non-profit organization to help protect acupuncture’s long reputation as a safe and effective practice. We are all very concerned about the recent expansion of “dry needling,” the use of acupuncture … Read more

three acupuncture needles and medallion on a leaf

North Carolina Acupuncture Board Files Dry Needling Lawsuit

December 29, 2023December 1, 2015 by AAPAS

This article in Acupuncture Today, discusses the lawsuit filed in North Carolina in September 2015 by the North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board (NCALB).

Washington Court Injunction Bans Physical Therapists from Practicing Acupuncture “Dry Needling”

December 29, 2023October 20, 2015 by AAPAS

This press release from the National Center for Acupuncture Safety and Integrity discusses the Washington court to ban dry needling as practiced by physical therapists.