Do you have questions about Trigger Point Dry Needling? We're here to help you understand this effective technique for treating chronic pain and severe injury.
What is Dry Needling?
Dry Needling involves multiple advances of a fine filament needle into the muscle in the region of a "Trigger Point'. The aim of Dry Needling is to achieve a local twitch response to release muscle tension and pain. Dry needling is an effective treatment for chronic pain of neuropathic origin with very few side effects. This technique is unequalled in finding and eliminating neuromuscular dysfunction that leads to pain and functional deficits. The needle used is very thin and most subjects do not even feel it penetrate the skin. A healthy muscle feels very little discomfort with insertion of this needle. However if the muscle is sensitive and shortened or has active trigger points within it, the subject will feel a sensation like a muscle cramp -'the twitch response'. The patient also may feel a reproduction of "their" pain which is a helpful diagnostic indicator for the practitioner attempting to diagnose the cause of the patient's symptoms. Patients soon learn to recognise and even welcome this sensation as it results in deactivating the trigger point, reducing pain and restoring normal length function to the involved muscle.What qualifications do I need to take this course and what previous experiences are essential?
Prior knowledge or experience of Dry Needling is not essential for successful completion of the Introductory course. However, having completed the basic courses previously available in your region will be of benefit.These courses are ideal for graduates of schools of Physiotherapy, Osteopathy and Chiropractic. This course is also ideal for practitioners who have experience in the evaluation and treatment of acute and chronic pain disorders as well as those clinicians who are seeking alternative, immediate and effective treatment options for the athletic population.
There is a requirement of a minimum of 2 years of clinical experience before registering for the Introductory TDN course.
Are these courses Accredited?
These courses have been approved and accredited by both the New Zealand and Australian Physiotherapy Associations. This means the course contents and objectives have been scrutinised by these associations who have endorsed their content and learning objectives. It means that Physiotherapists planning to participate in this course will be certified to perform Dry Needling techniques on their patients immediately following the workshops.In the US, the GEMt TDN courses are one of two accepted courses of education for dry needling. In Colorado, the GEMt Dry Needling courses are specifically endorsed by the Department of Regulatory Agencies. Physical therapists completing their initial Introductory training can practice dry needling of the muscles instructed in Introductory, while completing their needling log in order to qualify for the Advanced course. Participants must complete their log of 200 patients and submit it to course instructors prior to qualifying for Advanced instruction. Colorado physical therapists must complete their training within 6-8 months of starting their training per Colorado's specific rules and regulations. GEMt will attempt to schedule Advanced courses at times that will coincide with the 6-8 month time constraint for Introductory trained course participants. Trigger Point Dry Needling is pending or has currenly been accepted in the scope of practice for physical therapists in the following states; Alabama (pending), Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada (EMG is allowed, further investigation is ongoing for Dry Needling), South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. If you are interested in pursuing TDN being allowed in your state please contact us as we may be able to assist you in doing so.
There is currently one other series of courses in the US where Physical Therapists can receive education in trigger point dry needling. www.myopainseminars.com
Does this course count toward Continuing Education Units?
Physiotherapists will receive a total of 52 CPD points for the Introductory course and approximately 34 CPD points for the Advanced course. Other professions will need to check with their association to ascertain applicable CPD points. CPD points apply for both the Osteopaths and Chiropractors who attend our courses.Am I immediately able to use the technique on patients after I complete the Introductory course successfully?
Successful completion of the Introductory course will provide you with skills and knowledge to begin utilizing the treatment immediately. If you plan to take the Advanced course we strongly recommend that you are utilising dry needling clinically for a minimum of 3 months. There are no other time line restrictions for registering for the Advanced course.Please note if you are practicing in Colorado it is required that you take a Advanced course within 6 months of completing the Introductory course, and if Advanced is not completed you must cease performing the TDN technique. Further those intending to do the Advanced course must document the treatment of 200 subjects.
What are some of the conditions can I treat after I complete these courses?
The focus of the Introductory course is treatment for pain management and sport related injuries. Participants successfully completing the Introductory and Two courses will be able to treat pain and dysfunction originating from myofascial active trigger points that can lead to conditions such as; tendonopathies, movement impairments and other orthopaedic and sporting conditions of the following areas:
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The most common cause of nerve irritation and neuropathic pain is underlying spinal degeneration (i.e. spondylosis of the spine), which can be a result of trauma and/or normal wear and tear. Spondylosis irritates the nerve root and leads to neuropathy which can result in muscle shortening. This process leads to pain and dysfunction in many common acute and chronic conditions that practitioners see in every day practice. The introduction of a dry needle into the active trigger sites of these muscles can provide enormous relief of symptoms.
Dry Needling may also be used for acute and chronic sporting injuries such as:
- Muscular haematomas
- Muscle tears
- Compartment syndrome
- Medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints)
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Tennis/golfers elbow
Dry Needling can also be used for spinal conditions where the underlying pathology may have triggered a movement disorder. This can result in the presence of reduced ROM or pain due to abnormal muscle tone or spasms. Such conditions may include:
- Piriformis syndrome
- Cervico-genic headaches
- Sciatica
- Hamstring issues
Common lower extremity conditions treated with Dry Needling include:
- Patello Femoral Syndrome
- Patellar tendonitis
- Hamstring Strain
- Groin Strain
- Shin-splints; Compartment Syndrome
- Achilles tendonopathies
Common upper extremity conditions treated with Dry Needling include:
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Lateral Epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
- Medial Epicondylitis (golfers elbow)
- Impingement syndromes
Do I have to take both the Introductory and Advanced TDN courses?
Currently Colorado DORA is the only State that requires both Introductory and Advanced to be completed before considering a PT independently able to perform the technique. Therefore, it is optional for Manual Therapists practicing in states other than Colorado to take the Advanced TDN course. You do not have to register for both courses at the same time.What else do I get for my enrollment fee?
All course participants will be provided with an extensive illustrated course manual describing and depicting all the theory and course material covered during the 2 or 3 day workshops. All participants will also take away a starter pack (Introductory) inclusive of a 'sharps container' and quality Sensei needles allowing you to effectively administer Dry Needling in your practice immediately following the completion of the course.Advanced participants will receive a comprehensive manual as well as a needle plunger used for advanced techniques.
You will also be provided with pre-reading material to prepare you for the course.
Supplies used for TDN and therapy treatment will also be available for purchase at the end of the course and through our website.
GEMt courses boast having the best cuisine available for its course participants. Healthy food for a healthy mind!
How and where do I get the supplies I'll need to perform TDN treatment?
The main product you will need to perform TDN is filament needles. You will receive a starter pack of needles when you attend the course. At the completion of the course there will be the opportunity to purchase more needles or you can visit our website under 'products', members of GEMt will access discounts on supplies from our site. At the time of the course we will also provide you with detailed contact information for the company that sponsored the needle supply for our courses and you can then order directly through them at a discounted rate. There are some other optional products that can aide in the technique which will also be available for purchase.Will I be qualified to use TDN with competence after this course?
The Introductory dry needling course is designed to prepare the course participant to practice dry needling immediately upon returning to the clinic Monday morning. Theoretical and practical testing will be administered during the final day of all courses and participants will be expected to display an appropriate level of competency prior to receiving their course certificate.How many are accepted into each course?
Participants in all courses work in pairs allowing the instructors (2‐3) to work with and supervise no more than five groups each. A minimum of 12-14 participants are required for venues to proceed; numbers usually vary between 20 to 30 for our Introductory courses and 15‐20 for Advanced.What are the contact hours of the course?
The Introductory course is run over 3 days and includes approximately 24 contact hours. The Advanced is conducted over 2 days and involves approximately 18 contact hours. All courses are fully catered, and every participant receives a comprehensive and fully illustrated course manual, a needle starter pack (Introductory), or needle plunger (Advanced).What prerequisites do I need to take the Introductory Course?
- These courses are ideally suited to therapists with a strong manual background in their learning and treatment approach.
- Outside of the US these courses are recommended for graduates of: Physiotherapy, Osteopathy, Chiropractors and Physicians who specialise in manual therapy.
- In the US, Doctors of Osteopathy, Medical Doctors and Physical therapists (in states where dry needling is part of the scope of practice) will greatly benefit from these courses.
- It is imperative that participants have a minimum of 2 years clinical experience as a manual therapist OR submit a resume/CV detailing significant evidence of continuing education in manually based course work.
