Course Description:

This 1-day course provides an opportunity to advance and refine skills in dry needling, applying the techniques learned in the introductory course to treat areas in the face, anterior neck and scapular region, thorax/chest wall, lower extremity and feet. Participants will review the basic principles and techniques of dry needling, including safety considerations, needle insertion, and manipulation techniques specific to each region of the body.

The course will review the available peer-reviewed literature specific to each body region practiced, and participants will have the opportunity to practice identifying trigger points and inserting needles in the areas outlined above.

This course will review the use of dry needling as an adjunct to other evidence-based therapeutic interventions, including therapeutic exercise prescription, manual therapy, and therapeutic neuroscience education. Participants will gain practice developing holistic treatment plans and applying a clinical reasoning process to assess the effectiveness of dry needling in improving patient outcomes.

Upon completion of this course, participants will have a strong foundation in dry needling technique in all areas of the body and will be prepared to incorporate this technique into their practice as a complementary for pain management and musculoskeletal dysfunction. The course is suitable for physical therapists who are interested in expanding their dry needling skill set and providing effective, evidence-based care to their patients.