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Prerequisites

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The American Physical Therapy Association refers to the Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO) to analyze the competencies of dry needling for physical therapists. It is HumRRO’s conclusion that entry level physical therapy education is adequate for dry needling. However, they do not acknowledge dry needling as an entry level skill. Therefore each physical therapist must receive further training.

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(https://www.apta.org/uploadedFiles/APTAorg/Advocacy/State/Issues/Dry_Needling/AnalysisCompetenciesforDryNeedlingbyPT.pdf)

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Below are 16 competencies advised by HumRRO in order for PTs to dry needle in their clinical practice:

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Note some of the basic didactics are acquired from entry level education, while the remainder should be accomplished from continuing education.

 

1. Surface and deep anatomy

2. Emergency preparedness for complications

3. Emergency preparedness for emotional effects

4. Standards for needle handling: hygiene and single-use needles.

5. Factors influencing safety and injury prevention

6. Personal protection procedures: protective equipment and clinician positioning Theory for dry needling and application

7. Theory for dry needling and application

8.  Theory for combining dry needling with other therapy

9. Secondary effects of complications of dry needling on other systems.

10. Theoretical basis of pain sciences, including anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and relation to body structures and function.

11. Contraindications and precautions related to dry needling (eg. age, allergies, disease/conditions)

12. Palpation techniques as related to dry needling Needle insertion techniques

13. Needle insertion techniques

14. Needle manipulation techniques

15. Physiological response to dry needling

16. Knowledge of the physical characteristics of needles

 

Objectives

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•  Review the history of dry needling and how it differs from other techniques

•  Discuss Billing

• Identify appropriate patients who may benefit from dry needling

• Examine high risk areas and demonstrate how to insert needles

• Recognize different techniques that may be used for specific

  diagnoses

• Formulate an appropriate treatment session that includes dry needling

• Demonstrate different techniques as they pertain to the continuum of inflammatory process

• Discuss rationale for treatment

• Administer appropriate insertion techniques in a practical examination

• Produce MSKS I certified clinicians

   

Learning Environment

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Dr. Middleton and Dr. Cox strive to have a conducive learning environment. We believe those standards will be met with smaller class sizes. Therefore, the class size will be maintained at 15 candidates.

 

 

Course Timeline

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Once fee is paid the candidate will receive a course packet.

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Course Packet consists of:

Liability Waiver
Written Exam

List of reviewable landmarks

Booklet

Written exam and liability waiver are due before the start of course

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Course schedule

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Day I

7:30-8:00 Registration

8:00-9:00 Evidence Based Practice: What is it?
9:00-10:00 “Is dry needling acupuncture?”, Contraindications, and Billing

10:00-10:10 MID MORNING BREAK

10:10-11:10 Dry needling and the inflammatory process, dry needling and pain modulation

11:10-12:10 Pathologies treated by dry needling, potential adverse effects, Dry needling variables, hygiene, and techniques

12:10-1:10 LUNCH

1:10-2:10  Dry needling the shoulder complex MID AFTERNOON BREAK

2:10-2:20  Dry needle shoulder complex

2:20-3:20  Dry needle the arm

3:20-4:20 Dry needle the arm

4:20-5:20  Dry needle elbow/forearm 

5:20-6:20  Dry needle elbow/forearm 

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Day II

7:30-8:00 Registration

8:00-9:00 Dry needle the hip complex
9:00-10:00 Dry needle the hip complex

10:00-10:10 Break
10:10-11:10 Dry needle the hip complex

11:10-12:10 Dry needle the thigh

12:10-1:10 LUNCH
1:10-2:10 Dry needle thigh
2:10-3:10 Dry needle the knee

3:10-3:20 Break
3:20-4:20 Dry needle knee
4:20-5:20 Dry needle leg/ankle

5:20-6:20 Dry needle leg/ankle

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Certification

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There are no nationally recognized certifications for dry needling. In as much, every participant is a candidate for earning an MSKS I certification. MSKS Dry Needling and Mobilization LLC, has set standards for attendees upon completion of the course and satisfactorily meeting the requirements of the written and practical examinations that will ensure competence. Henceforth, the candidate will be MSKS I certified.

Of course, the MSKS I certification does not recuse the clinician from liability from negligence going forward.