Dry Needling for Pain Management

Course participants will be able to immediately integrate dry needling techniques into their clinical practice and will be able to:

• Use the unique Functional Integrated method of dry needling (FIN)
• Understand how dry needling works and how it controls pain
• Use FIN assessment system to help accurately determine treatment plans
• Locate targets used to effectively manage painful conditions in all regions of the body
• Safely and painlessly insert needles using dry needling insertion techniques
• Safely using painless insertion techniques

Course length & format

This 3-day intensive training program is based on instruction and explanations that are understandable and easy to remember and includes extensive practice to ensure mastery. The program is split between classroom instruction, demonstration and extensive and intensive practical programming and, in order to make the best use of the workshop, some self study pre-workshop learning is also required. 

In addition to extensive use of lab and practice sessions, students participate in mastery evaluations and feedback sessions that provide an opportunity for students to determine what additional instruction is required for complete mastery.

Topic and learning activity time:

1.Introduction: (2 hours)
•  Program goal, expectations,
•  Background:  historical overview of needling and recent research evidence of efficacy, 
indications
•  Physiology of dry needling 
•  Overview of integrative dry needling system

2.The mechanics of pain: (1 hour)
•  Neurophysiological explanation of nociception 
 
3. What is functional integrated needling: (0.5 hours)
•  Description of needling modalities to be used

4.Mechanisms of dry needling: (1 hour)
•  Local and central effects

5. Safety issues and possible reactions: (1 hour)
•  Overview of most common safety issues and relation to prevention and clinical practices
•  Contraindications

6. Needling techniques and etiquette:(1 hour)
•  Review of proper needle handling and clean needling insertion techniques

7. Palpation and needle insertion practice: (1 hour)
•  Trigger point palpation and needle insertion practice

8. Homeostatic target location and needle practice: (2 hours) 
•  17 peripheral nerve target location and insertion
  
9. Paravertebral needling:(1 hours)                                                           
•  Needle insertion at lumbar region 

10.Trigger point needling:location and insertion practice: (11 hours)  
• Face
• TMJ
• Neck
• Shoulder
• elbow
• upper back
• Low Back
• Hip
• Knee 
• Ankle 
• Foot 

11. Course review and learner testing/final examination: (1 hour)             
•  Theory and practica)