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

2. B. Terms Defined.

   1. (1) “Board” means the Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.

   2. (2) “Dry needling” means a physical agent modality as defined in COMAR 10.46.06.03, also known as intramuscular manual therapy, that:

      1. (a) Involves the insertion of one or more solid needles, a mechanical device, into the muscle and related tissues to effect change in muscle and related tissues of the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder;
      2. (b) Requires ongoing evaluation, assessment, and re-evaluation of the impairments;
      3. (c) Is only utilized in parts of the body with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal links to the impairments; and

      4. (d) Is not performed for:

         1. (i) The purposes of acupuncture and East Asian medicine as defined in Health Occupations Article, §1A-101, Annotated Code of Maryland; or
         2. (ii) Any purpose outside the scope of occupational therapy

Authority: Health Occupations Article, §§10-101 and 10-205, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: September 16, 2024 (51:18 Md. R. 810)