Take Action
Knowing the facts is the first step. Acting on them is what creates change. Here is how you can protect acupuncture — for your profession, your patients, and the next generation of practitioners.
Four Ways to Make a Difference
Every acupuncturist has a role to play — whether you have 5 minutes or 5 hours.
Contact Your State Legislators
Your elected representatives need to hear from licensed acupuncturists. Personal stories and professional testimony carry enormous weight in legislative hearings.
- Find your state senator and representative at congress.gov or your state legislature website
- Request a meeting or send a formal letter about dry needling legislation
- Attend committee hearings where needling or PT scope bills are discussed
- Ask your state acupuncture board about upcoming legislative sessions
Join Professional Organizations
Strength comes in numbers. Professional acupuncture organizations have the resources, relationships, and platforms to advocate effectively at the state and national level.
- American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA) — asacu.org
- American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) — aaaom.org
- Your state acupuncture association (most states have one)
- NCCAOM — supports advocacy for practitioner recognition
Educate Your Community
Most patients — and most legislators — do not know the difference between acupuncture and dry needling. You can change that with accurate, accessible information.
- Share this website with patients, colleagues, and on social media
- Explain the training difference in plain language during patient conversations
- Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper
- Present at community events, health fairs, or continuing education seminars
Document & Report Concerns
Evidence matters. If you encounter patients harmed by inadequately trained dry needling practitioners, or misleading marketing, documentation helps build the case for better regulation.
- Report adverse events to your state acupuncture board
- Document cases where patients believed they were receiving acupuncture
- Share anonymized clinical examples with your professional organization
- Encourage patients to leave reviews distinguishing their experience
Sample Letter to Your Representative
Customize this template with your personal story and specific legislative situation.
Subject: Protecting Patient Safety — Acupuncture Scope of Practice Dear [Representative/Senator Name], My name is [Your Name], and I am a licensed acupuncturist in [City, State], serving patients in your district for [X] years. I am writing to express serious concern about the expansion of dry needling by physical therapists with minimal training — as few as 27 hours — compared to the 3,000+ hours required for acupuncture licensure. Acupuncture is a 2,500-year-old complete medical system governed by rigorous standards: • Master's or Doctoral degree (3-4 years) • NCCAOM national board examinations (4 exams) • 660-870 hours of supervised clinical training • State licensing requirements Dry needling, while performed with the same needles, is taught in weekend workshops without the theoretical foundation, diagnostic training, or accountability structure that protects patients. I am asking you to [support legislation requiring dry needling practitioners to meet minimum safety training standards / oppose legislation that would expand dry needling without adequate oversight / meet with our state acupuncture association to discuss this issue]. Licensed acupuncturists are your constituents. We are committed to patient safety and would welcome the opportunity to meet with you or your staff. Thank you for your time and service. Respectfully, [Your Name], L.Ac., [Credentials] [Phone] | [Email] [Practice Name and Address]
Join the Advocacy Network
These organizations are actively working to protect the acupuncture profession.
American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA)
The leading advocacy organization for licensed acupuncturists in the U.S.
Visit WebsiteAAAOM
American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine — professional membership org.
Visit WebsiteACAOM
Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine — accredits programs.
Visit WebsiteSpread the Word
Share this website with colleagues, patients, and anyone who wants to understand the real difference between acupuncture and dry needling. Education is our most powerful advocacy tool.
Share this message:
“Did you know that licensed acupuncturists complete 3,000+ hours of training, while dry needling practitioners in most states complete only 27–54 hours using the same needles? Learn the facts at AcupunctureFacts.org”