Dry Needling Call to Action!

Posted: April 25, 2017

As many are aware the Colorado Chapter of the APTA is currently very busy defending the rights of Coloradan’s to receive dry needling from Physical Therapists. Click here to watch a brief 2 minute video on the viewpoint of Colorado residents on this issue.

Are you motivated to help? Please join in our fund-raising efforts by donating here. 

APTA CO has committed to the full support of both the current litigation surrounding dry needling and the protection of the public and PT scope of practice, and our ongoing sunset activities related to the practice act through lobbying costs, advocacy events, legal engagements and multiple committee activities. It is expected APTA CO will expend over 50,000 dollars in this activities beyond usual expenses. All support is much appreciated!

Your Colorado Chapter is led by volunteer’s, peer Physical Therapists motivated to serve our entire PT community and every Coloradan who can benefit from the care we provide. If you are not a member, please join us today to continue in our ongoing efforts to protect our profession and the thousands of patient’s that we serve in Colorado. 

Thank you!

Cameron MacDonald

President APTA CO

APTA Raises More Than $3,000 In An Hour To Kick Off 'PT CAFE' Fundraising Campaign

Posted: April 22, 2017

DENVER – The Colorado chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association today announced PT CAFÉ, or Colorado Advocacy Fund Engine, to raise money to shepherd PTs and PTAs through their periodic “sunset” review and to defend and improve PTs’ and PTAs’ ability to practice under their professional scope.

At its 2017 Spring Conference today, the chapter topped $3,000 in the first hour of a text-to-give campaign.

HELP PT CAFÉ: Donate Today!

Cameron MacDonald noted “considerable interest in the utilization of dry needling by Physical Therapists in Colorado.” Dry needling is a skilled intervention that uses a thin filiform needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points, muscular, and connective tissues for the management of neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments.

Colorado PTs have had the regulatory authority to perform dry needling for more than nine years, but the practice faces a new legal challenge from two acupuncture groups, who have sued the State Board of Physical Therapy.

APTA Colorado, which has more than 2,500 members, filed a legal brief in the case calling the accusations “nebulous, prospective and tenuous.” The chapter wants to intervene in the case, saying its members could be adversely affected by any outcome.

PT CAFÉ was organized to raise money to support the chapter’s legislative and regulatory efforts. The association will supplement the text-to-give fundraising effort through online donations and through event fundraisers, MacDonald said.

Physical Therapists have been licensed in Colorado since 1959 and Physical Therapist Assistants have been certified since 2011.

"Sunset" involves the periodic review of state agencies that exercise the state's regulatory authority over occupations. Agencies are terminated by specified dates unless their life is extended by legislative action. 

The state is now embarking on a "sunset review" to ensure that continued regulation is in the public's interest.  

Members: Join APTA Colorado's Dry Needling Discussion Circle (you must be signed in)

Members: Join APTA Colorado's Sunset Review Discussion Circle (you must be signed in)

Caption: The PT CAFE fundraising campaign topped $3,000 less than an hour after it launched.