HLSC 0005 - Dry Needling I
Course Description
This course is designed to be the first half of 52 hours of classroom training toward meeting most state requirements for dry needling training and certification. The purpose of Dry Needling-1 is to introduce the basic structure and knowledge regarding the history, background, foundation and application of using solid needles in treatment of pain and neurologic syndromes. DN-1 will cover many aspects of dry needling including safety, basic needling skills, body application, theory, core competency and more. The course is a 3-day, 26 hour, applied-learning course that combines highly visual lectures and hands-on practical labs. Students will begin using needles on day 1 of the course and participate in several practical session intended to provide learning and instructor feedback about performance to ensure comprehension of critical application techniques. Practical time is intensive and full participation is required for all labs to gain the skills and competency needed to self-evaluate performance at the completion of the course. In addition students will achieve a level of proficiency in skills needed to diagnose and treat soft tissue pain, injury and dysfunction using solid, dry needles. DN-1 is required prior to attending DN-2 or any specialty courses offered in dry needling. Upon completion of Dry Needling-1 students will be awarded the credential DN-1. After completing Dry Needling-2 students will be awarded the credential DN-2.
Benefits and Learning Outcomes
- Identify similarities and differences between traditional acupuncture and dry needling
- Have a thorough understanding of basic dry needling application and practice
- Understand safe basic needling application
- Understand how dry needling fits into treatment procedures and protocol
- Properly insert needles with proper depth, angle, needle length and end point
- Understand needle end point / end feel
- Utilize different needle stimulation techniques performed
- Understand electrical stimulation and use with inserted dry needles
- Understand the differences between needling trigger points, symptomatic points, adjacent nerve points, fascial points, spinal levels
- Describe general dry needling regulations
- Describe jump sign
- Understand precautions and contraindications of dry needling
- Understand and identify safe and unsafe needling zones
- Understand and describe how dry needling is a neuromodulator
- List side effects of dry needling
- Understand and recognize symptoms of pneumothorax
- Safely perform dry needling to basic hip, lower extremity, shoulder, upper extremity, spinal and head musculature.
- Be able to select appropriate needle length and depth for muscles taught in this course.
- Be able to document dry needling treatments
- Pass a comprehensive written and practical test covering technique, anatomy, precautions, contraindications, innervations, muscle / area selection, trigger point identification, needling technique, treatment besides dry needling.
Prerequisites
Pre-course Assignment:
Suggested Text / Readings:
- Atlas of Surface Palpation: Anatomy of the Neck, Trunk, Upper and Lower Limbs 3rd Edition by Serge
Tixa. - The Concise Book of Dry Needling: A Practitioner’s Guide to Myofascial Trigger Point Applications by John Sharkey.
- The Gunn Approach to the Treatment of Chronic Pain: Intramuscular Stimulation for Myofascial Pain of Radiculopathic Origin. C. Chan Gunn.
- Trigger Point Dry Needling: An Evidenced and Clinical-Based Approach. Jan Dommerholt, Cesar Fernandez-de-las-Penas.
Required Text / Reading: Dry Needling for Manual Therapists: Points, Techniques and Treatments, Including Electro-acupuncture and Advanced Tendon Techniques. Giles Gyer, Jimmy Michael, Ben Tolson
Required Course Materials:
Please bring 3 washable markers or dry erase markers. Wear lab close in layers to stay warm and covered during lectures and when treating, but loose enough with exposure to all body areas easily. Needles cannot be inserted through clothing so tights or leggings will not be acceptable lab attire. Sports bras should be simple
design without a lot of intertwining straps as it is difficult to needle the spine, shoulder and pecs when they are worn.
Who Should Attend
Level: Introductory
Audience: PTs, OTs, and ATs
It is the responsibility of each individual to contact their respective state authorities to determine their scope of practice and any applicable regulations or requirements.