In August 2014, the Tennessee Attorney general issued an unfavorable opinion

stating that dry needling is not within the legal scope of practice for physical
therapists in the state of Tennessee. The impact of this opinion was far-reaching,
not only to our members who perform dry needling, but more importantly to the
patients we serve. The Tennessee Physical Therapy Association (TPTA) immediately
rolled up its collective sleeves and began working on a solution.
The TPTA assigned a work group of members with advanced knowledge in dry
needling and the legislative process. TPTA & APTA co-hosted a webinar for TPTA
member who were impacted by the negative attorney general opinion so that we
explain ramifications of the opinion and to outline the TPTA plan of action to resolve
it.
TPTA collaborated with the Tennessee Medical Association and members of the
Tennessee Chiropractic Association to ensure they understood the importance of
this issue to the patients we serve, and so that they would not oppose our
legislative effort.
In January, House Bill 25 was introduced in the state legislature in Nashville. This
legislation amends the Tennessee Physical Therapy practice act to insert dry
needling into our scope of practice. Thanks to a successful day at the state capitol
in Nashville, we added 12 new cosponsors and were well on our way to success.
With a few last minute tweaks, the bill passed the House mid-March and on March
23 passed the Senate (33-0).
The planning and execution could not have been possible without the assistance
from the APTA, the TPTA work group, our executive team, our lobbying group Smith,
Harris & Carr, and most importantly YOU.
As our Senate sponsor, Sen Bo Watson, stated after the vote Thats what happens
when the PTs and PTAs engage themselves in the political process. Their efforts
made it easy.
Membership in TPTA & APTA matters, and this success is great example of what we
can do when we all work together as profession. Thank YOU for being a member of
TPTA!