• 60 Total Hours

    DC, DPT, OT and AT optimized curriculum with 60 hours of education.

  • Two Prescheduled Weekends

    Weekend 1: October 16-18, 2026 Weekend 2: November 13-15, 2026

  • Small Group

    Small group training with only 16 seats available. Enrollment closes when full.

Most dry needling courses start at the needle.

This one starts with the patient.

The St. Louis Fall 2026 CDNP is built so you leave able to run a clinical loop: assess → diagnose → plan → needle → reassess. That’s the difference between a technician and a clinician.

Monday Morning READY

Leave feeling confident and capable to assess, plan, and use dry needling on Monday — with supervised hands-on training over two weekends.

Clinical outcomes

You’ll be able to:

1. Open a case the right way

   Gather what matters, screen movement and orthopedic findings, and decide whether needling belongs in the plan.

2. Choose targets from a diagnosis, not a muscle list

   Link findings to a clear clinical rationale so every insertion has a purpose.

3. Needle confidently under real supervision

   Hands-on labs across the regions taught in this cohort, with coaches on the floor — not “watch once, try later at home.”

4. Protect patients and yourself

   Apply clean technique, recognize red flags and contraindications, and respond appropriately when something doesn’t feel right.

5. Combine needling with the rest of care

   Use dry needling as one precise tool inside rehab and load management — not a standalone gimmick.

6. Put it in the chart and in the schedule

   Document sessions clearly and start offering the service in a way that fits your practice — so the skill doesn’t die in a binder after the course.

Practice outcomes

You’ll walk out with:

• A repeatable method you can explain to patients in plain language

• Supervised reps that build speed and confidence faster than self-study

• Clarity on how this certification fits your license path (see CE / board notes on this page)

• Lifetime access to the online materials so you can refresh after you’re back in clinic

What “done” looks like

You don’t leave feeling uncertain “Can I actually do this right?”

You leave having demonstrated competency in lab, completed the required online + live components, and earned the Certified Dry Needling Practitioner (CDNP) credential for this program.

What's Included

  • 60-hour CDNP curriculum (online pre-work + two live weekends)

  • Supervised, hands-on labs with coaches on the floor

  • Safety, clean technique, and documentation foundations

  • Lifetime certification and access to resources

  • Certified Dry Needling Practitioner (CDNP) upon successful completion

  • 16 seats only — small group by design

  • Ultrasound may be used as a teaching aid. This cohort is not the separate advanced ultrasound-guided certification.

Enroll Today

Student pricing, and payment plans available upon request. Email us at [email protected]

What Docs Have Said About Our Course

Case Woodard

5 star rating

“This was by far the best outside of school soft tissue course I have taken. Dr. Kauffman was super in depth and did a great job teaching. You get tons of hands on time and I felt confident leaving the weekend headed to treat patients. Highly recom...”

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“This was by far the best outside of school soft tissue course I have taken. Dr. Kauffman was super in depth and did a great job teaching. You get tons of hands on time and I felt confident leaving the weekend headed to treat patients. Highly recommend this course! ”

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Marjan Sadeghi

5 star rating

“I enjoyed this dry needling course; it was super helpful. Dr. K’s knowledgeable, patient, and truly made sure each of us understood what we were doing. He explained things clearly and shared a lot of practical tips from his own experience. I learn...”

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“I enjoyed this dry needling course; it was super helpful. Dr. K’s knowledgeable, patient, and truly made sure each of us understood what we were doing. He explained things clearly and shared a lot of practical tips from his own experience. I learned so much and feel a lot more confident now. I’d recommend this course, and I’m looking forward to taking the next ones too!”

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Nathan Heeke

5 star rating

“Hands down one of the best courses I have taken outside of school. You will not only learn about dry needling: its purpose, effectiveness, and contraindication. But you will also build your examination, diagnostic, and palpation skills. Dry Needli...”

→Read More

“Hands down one of the best courses I have taken outside of school. You will not only learn about dry needling: its purpose, effectiveness, and contraindication. But you will also build your examination, diagnostic, and palpation skills. Dry Needling is becoming more popular and this course allows you to learn from one of the top experts in practice.”

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Hope McHale

5 star rating

“I showed up with expectations that were met and exceeded. Dr. Kaufman is considerate of everyone’s time & addresses lots of different learning style/techniques with his presentation/demonstration. I developed effective needling skills AND I to...”

→Read More

“I showed up with expectations that were met and exceeded. Dr. Kaufman is considerate of everyone’s time & addresses lots of different learning style/techniques with his presentation/demonstration. I developed effective needling skills AND I took away invaluable palpation knowledge that (as a student) I’ll be able to carry into practice. Thank you for the time, knowledge, and office snacks!”

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Janelle Goss

5 star rating

“Great Course and Instructor! Highly Recommend! ”

“Great Course and Instructor! Highly Recommend! ”

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Chiamaka Okoro

5 star rating

“Thank you Dr. Kauffman for the dry needling seminar. I loved the pace and how in depth you went for each structure. I will recommend this course to anyone who wants to be dry needled certified!”

“Thank you Dr. Kauffman for the dry needling seminar. I loved the pace and how in depth you went for each structure. I will recommend this course to anyone who wants to be dry needled certified!”

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Course Curriculum

    1. Welcome!

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Referred By

    3. Introduction

    4. Basic Information

    5. Liability Waiver

    6. Pregnancy Certification and Assumption of Responsibility

    7. Confidentiality Agreement

    8. CDNP Workbook

    1. Dry Needling v. Acupuncture

    2. Quiz: DN v Acu

    3. Dry Needling Models

    4. Quiz: DN Models

    5. The Needle Effect

    6. Dry Needling Hypothesis Pt 1

    7. Quiz: DN Hypothesis

    8. Dry Needling Hypothesis Pt 2

    9. Referral Pain and Peripheral Neuropathies

    10. Myofascial Pain Syndrome

    11. Principles and Systems

    12. Adhesions, Contractures, and Scar Tissue

    13. Understanding TrP in Muscles

    14. Tissue and Needle Handling

    15. Clean Needle Technique

    16. Quiz: Clean Needle Technique

    17. OSHA regulations

    18. Quiz: OSHA

    19. Billing and Doc

    20. 👉🏼 🛑 Do not go past this section before the weekend. Thank you!

    21. 🤔 Course Evaluation

    22. ✍🏼 Part 1 Weekend Exam

    23. 🛑 STOP HERE 🛑

    1. Supply Links

    1. DN an Exercise

    2. A Look at the Evidence

    3. S.C.A.R - Connective Tissue Review

    4. Dry Needling and the Brain

    5. Risk Assessment and Needle Handling

    6. 👉🏼 🛑 Do not go past this section before the weekend. Thank you!

    7. 🤓 Course Evaluation

    8. 📝 Final Exam (Comprehensive)

    9. 🍾 CONGRATULATIONS 🎉

About this course

  • 41 lessons
  • Weekend 1: October 16-18, 2026
  • Weekend 2: November 13-15, 2026
  • PACE approved for DC. DPT may submit hours to state board.

Certified Dry Needling Practitioner (CDNP) — St. Louis Fall 2026

Integrated Muscle and Joint Rehabilitation

Certified Dry Needling Practitioner (CDNP) — St. Louis Fall 2026

A 60-hour, two-weekend certification for DC, DPT, OT, and AT clinicians (and eligible students) who want dry needling as a precise clinical tool — not a weekend of random insertion points.

You’ll learn a patient-first process and practice it under supervision so you can use it when you’re back in clinic.

Dates

• Weekend 1: October 16–18, 2026

• Weekend 2: November 13–15, 2026

Location: St. Charles / greater St. Louis area (exact host site emailed ~14 days before each weekend).

Hours: 60 total hours of CDNP education (online modules + both live weekends). The majority is supervised hands-on lab — not lecture-only. Certification requires successful completion of the online components and both in-person weekends.

During the live weekends you’ll review regional anatomy, common musculoskeletal presentations, and dry needling technique with a heavy emphasis on practical, supervised practice. You will perform and receive needling in lab (waiver and participation requirements apply).

Instructor(s)

Instructor Bio:

Dr. Thomas Kauffman, DC is a chiropractor, performance-minded clinician, and educator. He owns The Athlete Spot and founded SmartCARE Education (2021) to train DC, DPT, OT, and AT professionals in practical, diagnosis-driven dry needling and rehab—with the supervised reps and clinical clarity most weekend courses skip.

Thomas Kauffman

DC, CDNP, CSCS, FRC™

Who This Course Is For

prior experience is not required

  • Healthcare Professionals

    Licensed DC, DPT, OT, or AT practitioners, where dry needling is within your scope and state rules

  • Students in accredited schools

    Students in accredited DC, DPT, OT, or AT programs (or as approved)

  • MSK Clinicians

    Clinicians who want diagnosis-driven needling and higher ROI in practice.

Enroll Today

Student pricing, and payment plans available upon request. Email us at [email protected]


Prerequisites


• Active malpractice insurance (employer, clinic, or school coverage is acceptable when it covers you for the course)

• Signed liability waiver (all attendees)

• Pregnancy certification as required on course forms for lab participation

• Students / pre-licensed: enrolled in an accredited professional program (or graduated within 12 months for student pricing). Email [email protected] with proof before purchasing


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Upon completion of this course, attendees will be able to:


1. Have a thorough understanding of Dry Needling history and clinical applications.

2. Understand normal and abnormal muscle contraction physiology.

3. Understand the mechanisms behind Dry Needling in musculoskeletal practice and pain management.

4. Identify precipitating and perpetuating factors in trigger point (TP) syndromes.

5. Identify muscle attachments and trigger points by surface anatomy and muscle testing.

6. Properly insert needles into each tissue identified including depth and angle of penetration.

7. Understand and apply Joint Centration concepts into treatment.

8. Understand absolute and relative contraindications to Dry Needling therapy.

9. Identify type of tissue encountered at the end of a needle using “needle palpation.”

10. Utilize the different needling techniques and stimulations performed across the field.

11. Discuss and apply electrical stimulation to inserted needles.


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Course preparation & logistics


Format: Online pre-work + two live weekends.

Online work: Modules open about 7 days before each weekend. Complete them as instructed before you arrive.

Typical live hours: Saturdays & Sundays 8:00 AM–7:00 PM (final schedule confirmed in pre-course emails). Friday evening hours apply when listed for your cohort schedule.

Location: St. Charles / greater St. Louis area. Exact host site emailed ~14 days before each weekend. SmartCARE may update the host site if needed; you’ll be notified.

We provide: Needles, sharps containers, alcohol prep, and standard lab supplies.

You bring:

• A portable treatment table (massage / chiro table)

• Comfortable, loose clothing for full spine and extremity access

• Tablet or laptop if you want soft-copy manuals (printing optional)


Meals: Lunch on your own each day. Water and coffee provided.

Lab expectation: Experiential labs — you will perform and receive dry needling.

Manuals: Available online when your course modules open

Policies: Cancellations, refunds & exchanges


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Continuing education & boards

• Chiropractors: SmartCARE Education is recognized by the PACE program of the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (where PACE is accepted).

• Physical therapists: Structured to support applicable Missouri pathways; individual state approval may be required elsewhere — confirm with your board.

• OT / AT: Scope and CE acceptance vary by state. Confirm with your board before enrolling.

• If your state is not in the PACE directory or requires a special request, individual state accreditation must be requested when required.

FAQs

  • Who can take this course?

    Licensed DC, DPT, OT, and AT clinicians where dry needling is within scope, plus eligible students in accredited professional programs. Confirm your state and license rules before enrolling.

  • Is this an acupuncture course?

    No. This is a dry needling certification (CDNP). It does not count toward acupuncture CE.

  • How many hours is the certification?

    60 total hours — online pre-work plus two live weekends. Both weekends and online components are required for certification.

  • How much does it cost? Is there a payment plan?

    $2,097 total. Taxes/fees may apply by location. Payment plans, and student / pre-licensed discounts: email before enrolling.

  • What CE does this carry?

    PACE for chiropractors where accepted. PTs follow their state process (Missouri notes on this page). OT/AT varies — confirm with your board.

  • Will I needle and be needled?

    Yes. Labs are experiential. Plan to perform and receive dry needling (waivers required).

  • What do I need to bring?

    A portable treatment table, comfortable clothing for lab access, and a device for soft-copy manuals if you want one. Lab supplies are provided.

  • What if I can only attend one weekend?

    Contact us before enrolling.

  • I’m a student or recent graduate — how do I get the discount?

    Email [email protected] with proof of enrollment or graduation within 12 months before purchasing.