Dear Chair and Committee Members:

I am a physical therapist in Hawaii. I strongly support HB701/SB547 and the proposed changes to the Physical Therapy Practice Act. These changes will modernize physical therapy practice in Hawaii and will allow physical therapists to treat patients at their highest level of training and education.

Prevention of disability and illness is at the forefront of all healthcare professions and adding language to the Physical Therapy Practice Act that outlines promotion of health and wellness will position our profession to remain up-to-date with the current and future climate of healthcare.

Additionally, Section 461J-2.5 currently prevents physical therapists from puncturing a person’s skin. Changes to this section are needed to allow physical therapists to use dry needling. Dry needling is a safe and effective form of treatment that physical therapists utilize, along with other techniques, to improve mobility and function and to treat pain in their patients. Physical therapists are well suited to perform this intervention due to our extensive training in human anatomy and physiology as well as human movement and function.

[INSERT PERSONAL STORY]

With this in mind, I strongly urge you to support passage of this bill.

Thank you for your consideration.

[INSERT YOUR NAME]

Physical Therapist