Schlegel Aims to Clarify Law Concerning Dry Needling

HARRISBURG - Rep. John Schlegel (R-Lebanon) is sponsoring legislation to allow licensed physical therapists in Pennsylvania to perform dry needling, a common therapy already in use by physical therapists across the country.

Dry needling is a treatment option to relieve muscle pain and stiffness and to improve physical range of motion by strategically inserting fine, sterile needles into the muscle at specific trigger points. Many states already recognize dry needling as being within the physical therapist scope of practice and the American Physical Therapy Association supports the inclusion of dry needling in state regulatory frameworks. However, Pennsylvania law is silent on the use of this treatment.

"I have constituents who are physical therapists and want to provide this treatment to their clients but are afraid to do so without clear direction from state regulators," said Schlegel. "My legislation aims to achieve that."

Schlegel presented House Bill 2070 as an amendment to another bill before the House today. Schlegel's amendment would clarify Pennsylvania law to allow licensed physical therapists to perform dry needling upon completion of a board-approved certification program. This would ensure dry needling is only performed by physical therapists who are properly trained in the technique.

While Schlegel's amendment failed on a 102-101 vote, his bill remains active. See it here.

See Schlegel's remarks here.

Representative John Schlegel
101st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Donna Pinkham
717.260.6452
[email protected]
RepSchlegel.com / Facebook.com/RepSchlegel

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