04/29/2026
The American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA) has issued a formal response to the New York Times article published on April 20, 2026 [ https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/20/well/live/dry-needling-benefits-safety.html ], which contains misleading representations of dry needling (DN) and portrays DN as a practice distinct from acupuncture. The ASA unequivocally refutes this characterization. DN is properly understood as a contemporary style of systemic medical acupuncture focused on trigger points, rather than a separate modality. The attached letter details the ASA’s position and calls for more accurate, evidence‑based reporting from the New York Times and other media outlets, to ensure clear, honest information for patients and the public and to support their safety.