Applications for Pain Management and Sports Injuries

Introductory Course Details:

Trigger Point Dry Needling for the Management of the Neuromuscular System

An introductory course for evaluation and treatment of neuromyofascial pain and dysfunction present in both the acute and chronic orthopedic population. Instruction will include evaluation and application of dry needling of neuromyofascial trigger points for musculature which is considered appropriate at the introductory level of training. This course will also cover topics of safety, clean needling technique, regional anatomy and review of the supporting literature. This course is designed for Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Physical Therapists, Chiropractors and is appropriate for GP's and Sports Physicians who have an interest in treating musculo-skeletal conditions.

What is Dry Needling?

Dry Needling involves multiple advances of a filament needle into the muscle in the region of a “Trigger Point’. The aim of Dry Needling is to achieve a local twitch response (LTR) 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 patients 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.

Dry Needling Course Overview

This three day course consists of a combination of lecture and theory, regional anatomy review, needle demonstration followed by a large amount of hands-on supervised practical sessions. There is also a (non-intimidating) test, both written and practical to ensure adequate transfer of knowledge to all course participants.  Trigger point dry needling (TDN), will be presented as a tool to evaluate and treat the neuromuscular system. Both the Gunn and Travell & Simons’ techniques will be discussed and demonstrated. Supporting research will be presented and discussed. Treatment safety will be evaluated throughout the course. Course is limited to 24 participants.

Course Objectives:

• Define trigger points, motor banding, and neurological presentations of neuromuscular dysfunction.
• Review literature supporting efficacy and treatment rationale of TDN.
• Instruct application of TDN for orthopedic and neuromuscular conditions.
• Review anatomy of regions to be taught in Level 1 course.
• Discuss safety.
• Discuss indications and contraindications for treatment.

What are some of the conditions can I treat after I complete these courses?

The focus of the level I 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:

Introductory     Advanced     Hip     Advanced Hip     Lumbar Spine     Advanced Lumbar Spine     Thigh     TMJ/Face     Cervical Spine     Advanced Cervical Spine     Shoulder     Thoracic Spine     Upper and Lower Extremity     Advanced Upper and Lower Extremity

Who would benefit from this course?

Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Physical Therapists and Medical Doctors who work with patients suffering from acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions.

This course will be limited to those manual therapists who have at least two years of clinical experience preferably with strong manual skills and a good understanding of the musculoskeletal anatomy.

*It is a required expectation for all participants to undergo needling in this course.

Prior to the course participants should review:

• C. Chan Gunn’s book Treatment of Chronic Pain
• Travell and Simons Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual Volume 1 and Volume 2

Learn more about our Instructors.

Full Name		Email Address