# COMAR Title 10 — Maryland Department of Health

## Subtitle 38 — Board of Physical Therapy Examiners

### Chapter 12 — Dry Needling

#### Regulation .02 Definitions.

*COMAR 10.38.12.02*

A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

  (1) “Board” means the State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.

  (2) “Dry needling” means a physical therapy intervention, also known as intramuscular manual therapy, that:

    (a) Involves the insertion of one or more solid needles, a mechanical device, into the muscle and related tissues to affect change in muscle and related tissues;

    (b) Requires ongoing evaluation, assessment, and re-evaluation of the impairments;

    (c) Is only utilized in parts of the body with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal links to the impairments; and

    (d) Is not performed for:

      (i) The purposes of acupuncture as defined in Health Occupations Article, §1A-101, Annotated Code of Maryland; or

      (ii) Any purpose outside the scope of physical therapy.