Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 6, March 31, 2022
(1) Definition. Dry Needling is a technique within the scope of
chiropractic medicine where the practitioner uses a filiform needle to
stimulate trigger points and treat neuromuscular pain and deficit in functional
movement. Dry Needling is appropriately indicated only after an examination and
diagnosis consistent with its use where specific anatomical entities are
identified according to physical signs.
Dry Needling does not include stimulation of auricular or
distal points nor auricular detoxification, the latter being strictly limited
to the five ear-part treatment protocol for detoxification, substance abuse or
chemical dependency as set out by the National Acupuncture Detoxification
Association.
(2) Must complete in order to perform Dry Needling, a licensed
chiropractor:
(a) Must be certified and maintain certification in acupuncture
as mandated by Board Rule 190-X-3.01 and any future amendment thereto;
and/or
(b) Submit documentation of completion of a Dry Needling course
of study approved by the Board, which at a minimum shall include 12 hours of
live face to face Dry Needling study.
Online or distance based courses do not qualify as an approved
course of study.
(3) Specific and written informed consent shall be obtained
prior to performing Dry Needling and made a permanent part of the patient's
record. At a minimum, the informed consent must include risks and benefits of
the procedure(s).
In addition, the patient record must clearly indicate and
document the performance of the procedure(s), how the patient tolerated the
procedure(s) and outcome. This documentation shall be in addition to the record
keeping requirements of Board Rule 190-X-5.09, any future amendments or any
requirements adopted in the future.
(4) Dry Needling is a non-delegable procedure to be performed
only by licensed chiropractors meeting the requirements of this Rule.
(5) Dry Needling must be performed in a manner consistent with
generally accepted standard of practice to include clean needle techniques and
all applicable standards relating to infection control.
(6) Upon request by the Board, any licensed chiropractor
performing Dry Needling must submit within 10 days documentation demonstrating
compliance with this Rule, to include but not limited to the required informed
consent, sampling of patient records and infection control procedures. Failure
to provide the requested information may result in the Board taking appropriate
measures to prevent the licensed chiropractor from performing Dry Needling
until compliance is demonstrated in addition to any other disciplinary action
deemed appropriate.
Notes
Ala. Admin. Code r. 190-X-3-.03
Amended by
Alabama
Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVII, Issue No. 01, October 31,
2018, eff. 11/29/2018.
Amended by
Alabama
Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVII, Issue No. 07, April 30,
2019, eff. 3/27/2019.
Author: Board
Statutory Authority:
Code of Ala.
1975, ยงยง 34-24-144, 34-24-165.
