SmartCARE Education

This course is designed as a 100% online course to master and utilize Dry Needling in clinical practice for Chiropractors and Physical Therapists professionals and students.

This course is NOT an acupuncture course, and will not count towards any Acupuncture continuing education.  

During the online course you will review relevant regional and three-dimensional anatomy with the aid of ultrasound technology. 

During each module we will discuss the pathophysiology of common muscle, joint and ligament disorders and injuries.

The course will cover the use of Dry Needling techniques in trigger points, myofascial pain syndromes and its use in musculoskeletal injuries and dysfunctions.  

Safety and the proper handling of potential blood borne pathogens associated with Dry Needling applications will be emphasized during the course material. 

The course is designed to place heavy emphasis on practical, hands-on practice, and students will have to submit video assignments for a grade. 

Participants will review clinical anatomy and practice Dry Needling treatments of each tissue and region covered throughout the course.  Each participant will be expected to complete and sign a waiver and practice Dry Needling on a live partner.

The art of palpation will be covered. This includes identifying different subdermal tissues as the tip of the needle advances into the body including normal and abnormal muscle tissue, scar tissue, ligaments, tendons, musculotendinous junction, and adipose tissue. 

PREREQUISITES

*Active malpractice insurance (If you are covered by Employer /Clinic/Company/University/College malpractice insurance, then you can also take the class)

*Signed liability waiver by all attendees.  Female attendees must sign to certify they are not pregnant.

*Non-licensed professional (students) must be enrolled in an accredited Doctor of Chiropractic or Doctor of Physical Therapy program. 

OBJECTIVES

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. Identify precipitating and perpetuating factors in trigger point (TP) syndromes.
4. Identify muscle attachments and trigger points by surface anatomy and muscle testing.
5. Identify ligamentous and tenoperiosteal tissues by surface anatomy.
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.

About the course:

• Lectures and resources are available on the first day of the scheduled course and are expected to be completed as instructed.

• Each participant is responsible for completing and submitting assignments before completion of the course.  Failure to complete or submit assignments will lead to an Incomplete and participant may not receive full credit for the course. 

• All of our labs are experiential, which requires all participants to perform dry needling on a live participant.

• The manuals and handouts are available online. Printing is not required.

• Class materials like needles and biohazard containers will be provided upon completion of the first module of the course to the address on file. Please allow up to 14 days from the completion of your waivers for delivery.  

• Participants must complete all online lectures, videos and assignments from the online modules accordingly. 

Certification will only be awarded upon successful completion of the course after all submissions have been graded.

Our online Certified Dry Needling Practitioner course is PACE certified for Chiropractors and meets all the APTA requirements for Physical Therapists in Missouri.  Individual state accreditation must be requested.

For the purpose of this course, dry needling will be taught as one part of the treatment package for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions.  An introduction to corrective load management, rehabilitation and stimulation via exercise medicine will be provided to the participants.

Participants who complete the course obtain lifetime access to all online materials and updates.

*Students and pre-licensed pricing available.  Please email [email protected] with proof of enrollment or recent graduation (within 12 months) before enrolling in the course. 

Students must be enrolled in an accredited chiropractic or physical therapy program to attend this course.