Dry Needling Course

The ACE 3-day Dry Needling Course is the most comprehensive dry needling program available in Australia and New Zealand, covering over 56 muscles across all regions of the body. This course consists of comprehensive pre-course learning material combined with 24 hours of practical dry needling training over 3 days. Participants will also receive free lifetime access to over 6 hours of post-course video material to cover all techniques that were taught during the practical training.

This course is designed specifically for allied health professionals, including physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, myotherapists, occupational therapists and remedial therapists.

This course equips you with everything you need to start practicing confidently on clients immediately after completing the course. The program is evidence-informed, meeting the requirements for professional associations, and offers a contemporary approach to dry needling that integrates scientific literature with practical application and sound clinical reasoning. Gain the skills and knowledge needed to deliver safe and effective treatments with confidence.

KEY REASONS TO ATTEND ACE DRY NEEDLING COURSE:

Learn from expert instructors who blend advanced clinical knowledge with hands-on training, ensuring you’re equipped with the best practices in dry needling techniques.

Gain a deep understanding of myofascial trigger point physiology, safety and hygiene protocols, and the mechanisms of dry needling, helping you deliver effective, safe treatments.

Successfully completing this course provides you with a certificate meeting the standards of all major associations.

Our classes are capped to ensure an appropriate student to instructor ratio to ensure that every participant receives personalised attention and hands-on guidance throughout the course. This allows for more direct feedback, tailored instruction, and ample opportunity to practice dry needling techniques under close supervision. This provides you with opportunities to ask more questions, have clinical discussions and refine your skills with confidence.

Use dry needling to treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal issues, from sports injuries to chronic pain, enhancing the quality of care you provide.

THE DRY NEEDLING COURSE CONSISTS OF 3 MAIN COMPONENTS:

1. PRE-COURSE ONLINE LEARNING

By providing online learning material before the practical sessions, participants can absorb key theoretical knowledge at their own pace. This includes understanding musculoskeletal and neurovascular anatomy, trigger point physiology, and dry needling principles. This self-paced learning allows participants to come into the hands-on sessions prepared with a solid foundation, maximising the efficiency of the practical training.

2. FACE-TO-FACE PRACTICAL TRAINING

The in-person component allows participants to put theory into practice, under the guidance of experienced instructors. This hands-on approach ensures that participants gain essential needling skills, develop clinical reasoning, and improve their confidence in treating patients. The extensive 24-hour training provides ample time to cover dry needling techniques for over 56 muscles, giving participants the competence they need for real-world application.

3. POST-COURSE ONLINE REVIEW LIBRARY AND LEARNING

After the face-to-face sessions, participants will receive access to the online review material to revise and further their understanding. Participants can revisit key concepts, review video demonstrations, and continue to refine their techniques. This post-course support is particularly valuable for reinforcing new skills, ensuring long-term retention, and allowing participants to refer back to the material as they begin integrating dry needling into their practice.

Plus, all participants receive 12 month access to world’s leading 3D Complete Anatomy app!

WHAT TO EXPECT…

3-Day Face-to-Face Dry Needling Course Schedule:

DAY 1

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (1.5 hours)

Course introduction including:

– Myofascial trigger point physiology

– Mechanisms of dry needling

– Review of scientific literature

– Central and peripheral sensitization

– Safety and hygiene

– Q&A discussion

10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (0.5 hours)

Morning tea break

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (1.5 hours)

Dry needling for:

– Quadriceps

– Tibialis anterior & Fibularis

– Gastrocnemius and soleus

12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. (45 minutes)

Lunch break

1:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (1 hour 45 minutes)

Dry needling for:

– Tibialis posterior and hamstring group

Group practical assessment

3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. (15 minutes)

Afternoon break

3:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (1 hour 45 minutes)

Dry needling for:

– Gluteus Medius, minimus, and maximus

Practice assessment

5:00 p.m.

Day 1 concludes.

Please note, the exact timing of this schedule may vary slightly.

DAY 2

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (1.5 hours)

Question and discussion

Dry needling for:

– Adductors (gracilis, adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus)

10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (0.5 hours)

Morning tea break

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (1.5 hours)

Dry needling for:

– Iliopsoas and iliacus

– Rectus abdominus, internal and external obliques

12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. (45 minutes)

Lunch break

1:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (2 hours 15 minutes)

– Dry needling for:

– Quadratus lumborum, iliocostalis lumborum, longissimus lumborum

– Iliocostalis thoracis, longissimus thoracis, spinalis

– Rhomboids major and minor

– Teres major, teres minor, latissimus dorsi

3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. (15 minutes)

Afternoon break

3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (1 hour 15 minutes)

Practical assessment

5:00 p.m.

Day 2 concludes.

Please note, the exact timing of this schedule may vary slightly.

DAY 3

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (1.5 hours)

Question, discussion, and review

Dry needling for:

– Upper, middle, and lower trapezius

– Levator scapula

10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (0.5 hours)

Morning tea break

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (1.5 hours)

Dry needling for:

– Splenius capitus, semispinalis capitus

– Masseter, sternocleidomastoid

12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. (45 minutes)

Lunch break

1:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (1 hour 45 minutes)

Dry needling for:

– Subscapularis, pectoralis major

– Anterior, middle, and posterior deltoid

– Biceps brachii, triceps brachii

3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. (15 minutes)

Afternoon break

3:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (1 hour 45 minutes)

Dry needling for:

– Forearm extensors (ED, ECRL, ECRB, ECU, brachioradialis)

– Forearm flexors (FCU, palmaris longus, FCR)

– Adductor pollicis

Practical Assessement

5:00 p.m.

Workshop concludes.

Please note, the exact timing of this schedule may vary slightly.

Learning outcomes

Exploration of myofascial trigger points
Discuss the neurophysiological mechanisms associated with myofascial trigger points and their clinical symptoms and signs.
Mechanisms of trigger point dry needling
Investigate and discuss the proposed evidence informed mechanisms of action for trigger point dry needling.
Literature review
Synthesize and critically discuss the scientific literature relating to myofascial pain, trigger points and dry needling.
Peripheral and central sensitisation mechanisms
Explore the mechanisms of peripheral and central sensitisation, including widespread myofascial pain syndrome.
Safety and hygiene procedures
Apply appropriate safety and hygiene procedures during dry needling practice.
Cautions and contraindications for dry needling
Discuss the cautions, contraindications, and potential adverse events related to dry needling.
Informed consent for dry needling
Effectively provide the relevant information and obtain informed consent from patients prior to performing dry needling.
Dry needling application
Perform myofascial dry needling across all regions of the body with a high degree of safety, skill and competence.
Confidence in needling anatomically higher-risk areas
Needle anatomically higher-risk areas with confidence, guided by expert instruction. Employ clinical justification and patient centred reasoning in the process for selecting each needling location.

Clinical reasoning for dry needling
Understand and apply clinical reasoning for the incorporation of dry needling into a treatment plan, including recognizing common referred pain locations and mechanisms of injury. Additionally, utilise clinical reasoning to determine when dry needling is not indicated for use.
Contemporary view of pain
Integrate dry needling treatment with a modern integrative approach to pain science, education, manual therapy and exercise.
Musculoskeletal and neurovascular anatomy application
Apply thorough knowledge of musculoskeletal and neurovascular anatomy to all body regions in preparation for dry needling.
Enhanced anatomical understanding
Improve anatomical understanding and palpation skills by utilizing 3D anatomy software, detailed student notes and presenter led exercises.
Practical palpation
Improve palpation skills of key bony landmarks, muscles and neurovascular structures.
Dry needling stimulation techniques
Perform a range of dry needling stimulation techniques to elicit appropriate and effective patient responses.
Dosage
Discuss and apply a clinically reasoned approach to dry needling dosage in the context of treatment planning and design.
Management of adverse events
Establish strategies for managing potential adverse events associated with dry needling.
Case study and group discussion
Engage in case study analysis and group discussion to consolidate learning and apply knowledge in practical scenarios.

All participants in Australia also receive a free dry needling starter kit from RedCoral!

After you complete your course with ACE you will have Lifetime support from ACE team – We have a designated student support officer to ensure support throughout your training.

If you have any questions or enquiries please contact admin@advancedclinicaled.com.

We look forward to meeting you!

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

As a doctor, remedial therapist and yoga instructor I have attended many courses over the past decade. I absolutely loved the dry needling course offered by advance clinical education. The enthusiasm and passion from the tutors made learning the content so easy in a safe and supported environment. There was so much clinical and hands on experience, and after the 3 days I felt competent and confident to start practicing straight away with my new skills. The ability to have access to the content and videos after the course is an invaluable resource and speaks to the dedication from ACE and their passion for teaching. I am looking forward to attending more of their courses in the future.

Luke CampbellDoctor

I did my first dry needling course with ACE 4 years ago quickly followed by the advanced dry needling course! The pre-course material is both comprehensive and easy to follow that ensures success and confidence when attending the face to face component.

I 100% recommend the courses from ACE, they are delivered in a professional and relaxed manner and I left feeling confident in my ability to safely use dry needling with my patients.

Naomi MillerRemedial Massage Therapist

As a chiropractor with over 15 years of experience, I was thoroughly impressed by the 3-day dry needling course offered by Advanced Clinical Education. The course was incredibly comprehensive, covering everything from fundamental principles to advanced techniques. The instructors were knowledgeable, approachable, and provided hands-on experience that helped me feel confident in my ability to apply these techniques in my practice. The blend of theory and practical application was well-balanced, and there was plenty of individual attention and feedback given.

I highly recommend this course to any healthcare professional looking to expand their skill set in dry needling.

Khapil NarulaChiropractor

It was a very informative and practical experience! Educators made an effort to use clear, straightforward language, ensuring everyone could follow along. They were also very open to questions, making sure to explain concepts in different ways if needed, which was incredibly helpful for me to understand.

Additionally, the course materials were well-organized and easy to understand. Those allowed participants to fully engage and gain confidence in their dry needling skills.

Tomomi FuruyaRemedial Massage Therapist

This course was really well put together. I appreciated the practical component that reinforced skills and the notes were excellent for revision.

Judy ChesneyPhysiotherapist

English Language: Please note that proficiency in written and verbal communication in English is essential for participation in ACE courses. Being able to understand and communicate clearly in English is a requirement for safety purposes, and to ensure that you and your fellow students get the most out of your learning experience. If it is deemed that your English proficiency is not suitable for safe participation in the course, this may result in your registration being cancelled and you may not be eligible for a refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DOES THE HAND THERAPY COURSE DIFFER FROM THE NECK AND UPPER LIMB DRY NEEDLING COURSE?

The Hand Therapy Dry Needling course is specifically tailored to the Hand Therapist or Upper Limb Specialists who have not undertaken dry needling before. Practitioners who are NOT Hand Therapists or Upper Limb Specialists must first undertake our 3-day Dry Needling Course (or any other introductory dry needling course, satisfying professional association’s and insurance company’s minimum training requirement for dry needing).

The Neck and Upper Limb Dry Needling course is a specialist dry needling course. This course has a pre-requisite of an introductory dry needling course such as our 3-day Dry Needling Course. This course covers advanced skills and concepts for upper limb and cervical musculoskeletal pain disorders.

I HAVE NOT COMPLETED DRY NEEDLING TRAINING BEFORE; CAN I COMPLETE THE REFRESHER COURSE OR ONE OF THE SPECIALIST COURSES?

No. The 3-day Dry Needling Course (or any other introductory dry needling course, satisfying professional associations minimum training requirement for dry needing) is a pre-requisite to attend our Refresher Dry Needling Course and other specialist courses.

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM LEVEL OF TRIANING REQUIRED TO ATTEND A DRY NEEDLING COURSE?

The minimum level of training is a Diploma of Remedial Massage Therapy, which is a one-year full time course.

I HAVE AN OVERSEAS QUALIFICATION; CAN I STILL COMPLETE THE DRY NEEDLING COURSE?

Yes, however this training must meet required standards of training in human anatomy and physiology. Qualifications that do not comprehensively cover musculoskeletal anatomy will not be accepted. Please enquire if you are unsure. You will also need to ensure that you can be insured to practice dry needling after the course, with your current qualification.

I DON’T LIKE BEING NEEDLED, CAN I BRING MY FRIEND/PARTNER TO BE NEEDLED INSTEAD OF ME?

The only people attending the course will be health practitioners. In the case of a fear of needles or heightened sensitivity, we will do our best to group you in a group of three so you will receive less needling but still have an opportunity to practice. It is an important part of the learning experience to at least have some areas of your body needled to gain a better appreciation of the sensation experienced by your patients. It is always advised to notify an ACE trainer prior to the start of the course about any sensitivities, conditions or concerns.

I HAVE NOT BEEN TRAINED IN DRY NEEDLING, WHAT COURSE SHOULD I START WITH?

You will start with the 3-day Dry Needling Course. This course covers comprehensive anatomy, trigger point pathophysiology, safety and needling application for all regions of the body. This course meets the requirements of all professional associations for dry needling.

I HAVE NO FORMAL TRAINING IN DRY NEEDLING BUT I HAVE LEARNED FROM ANOTHER PRACTITIONER, DO I STILL NEED TO ATTEND THE 3-DAY DRY NEEDLING COURSE?

Yes, you will first need to attend the 3-day Dry Needling Course.

DO I NEED TO DO THE PRE-COURSE LEARNING?

The pre-course learning material is a requirement for ALL attendees. It forms an important and highly valuable component of the course.

DO ALL COURSES HAVE PRE-COURSE LEARNING MATERIAL?

Not all courses have pre-course learning material. The courses that have pre-course learning material use a blended learning approach to ensure the key underpinning knowledge is covered prior to the course so we can maximise the time in the practical workshop. The pre-course learning material will ensure that you are well prepared for the workshop.

CAN I JUST ATTEND PART OF THE COURSE?

No, you must attend the entire course to receive your certificate of completion and to be considered a safe and effective practitioner.

I WANT TO BE ABLE TO PERFOM DRY NEEDLING IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, DO I NEED TO ATTEND ALL COURSES?

No, you do not need to attend all courses. The minimum requirement is the 3-day Dry Needling Course. This will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to apply dry needling in clinical practice. Our specialist dry needling courses are optional when you feel like you need to upskill and refine your skills.

I AM VERY NERVOUS ABOUT NEEDLING, SHOULD I STILL ATTEND?

It is not uncommon to be nervous. Dry needling can seem a little bit intimidating, but we can assure you that you will be guided and supported through the course with detailed discussions about the anatomy, detailed demonstrations, and support from our educators.

I AM WORRIED THAT MY ANATOMY MAY NOT BE UP TO STANDARD, WILL THIS BE A PROBLEM?

Anatomy is a big focus in the course. The pre-course learning material provides detailed 3D anatomy videos to ensure your anatomy is up to standard. The anatomy will again be discussed prior to each demonstration. You will also have access to the complete anatomy app in the classroom to review your anatomy. If you are still unsure, you can ask one of our educators for additional assistance.

ARE THERE ANY ASSESSMENTS FOR THE DRY NEEDLING COURSES?

Yes, you will be assessed in our 3-day Dry Needling Course. This is to ensure that you will be a safe and competent dry needler in clinical practice. During the course there will be a practice assessment, to get you familiar with the process and it is used as an opportunity to learn. In the second half of the course, you will be asked to needle numerous muscles and you will also be asked verbal questions to check your understanding of anatomy and safety.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL THE COURSE?

If you are deemed not yet competent in the dry needling course at the end of the 3 days (but you have completed all the other course requirements), you will be given the opportunity to repeat the course at no extra cost. You will be required to complete all pre-course material again and attend the full 3-day workshop again. This is to ensure you have time to review the course material and gain more practice time under the supervision of the ACE Team to ensure confidence, competence, and safety.

I LIKE TO REVIEW THE COURSE MATERIAL TO REVISE. HOW LONG WILL I HAVE ACCESS TO THIS?

You have lifetime access to course material including the post-course video library.

HOW MUCH DOES THE VIDEO REVIEW LIBRARY COST?

The video library is FREE for anyone who has completed our 3-day Dry Needling Course. This is a valuable resource that allows you to revise all techniques covered in the course. You will receive lifetime access to this library upon the successful completion of the course.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM STILL NOT CONFIDENT TO PERFOM DRY NEEDLING ONCE I COMPLETE THE COURSE?

We have a course repeat policy HERE. You can apply to repeat the course completely free. This is our guarantee to ensure you feel safe and confident with your dry needling practice.

WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE TO DO MY DRY NEEDLING TRAINING WITH ACE?

ACE currently has 8 dry needling courses on offer. We pride ourselves on providing the most comprehensive, evidence informed dry needling courses. Our educators are highly experienced, passionate and personable to ensure you get the best learning experience. Our student support and the additional value in our courses is second to none.

DO YOU RUN PRIVATE IN-SERVICE TRAINING SESSIONS FOR DRY NEEDLING?

Yes, we do. Please email admin@advancedclinicaled.com for more information.

DO YOU RUN PRIVATE MENTORING IN DRY NEEDLING?

Yes, we do. Please email admin@advancedclinicaled.com for more information.

I AM AN EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST, CAN I ATTEND?

Yes, you can attend the course. It is advised that you first contact your insurance provider to check that you will be covered to perform dry needling in clinical practice.

DOES THE ACE 3-DAY DRY NEEDLING COURSE MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT FOR MY PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OR GOVERNING BODY?

The 3-day Dry Needling course is an 80-hour course that meets the requirements of all professional associations. Associations, however, do reserve the right to change their requirements for dry needling courses. So, it may be useful to check with your association prior to registering.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I CANNOT ATTEND THE COURSE I HAVE REGISTERED FOR, CAN I GET A REFUND?

Please see our Cancellation Policy HERE.

I COMPLETED MY DRY NEEDLING TRAINING WITH ANOTHER PROVIDER, CAN I ATTEND THE REFRESHER COURSE AND THE SPECIALIST COURSES?

Yes, you can attend any of our specialist courses providing that your initial dry needling training meets the minimum required standards set by your professional association.

I COMPLETED MY DRY NEEDLING TRAINING WITH ANOTHER PROVIDER BUT I AM STILL NOT CONFIDENT IN MANY AREAS, WHAT COURSE SHOULD I DO?

The 3-day Dry Needling course will give you a lot of confidence using dry needling for all regions of the body. You can also apply for the TRY ACE POLICY that gives you 50% off this course, should your application be successful.

The other option is our Refresher Dry Needling course. This 1-day course will cover key areas commonly used in clinical practice and provide you with an update on key concepts relevant to dry needling.

HOW MANY CPE POINTS WILL I RECEIVE AFTER COMPLETING A COURSE WITH ACE?

Each professional association has their own policy on how they allocate CPE / CPD points. It is best to check with them directly. Generally speaking, it is one point per hour of the course.

Our 3-day course is 80 nominal hours which includes 24 hours of face-to-face learning. This information will be useful when speaking to your association.

Dry Needling Course

KEY REASONS TO ATTEND ACE DRY NEEDLING COURSE:

THE DRY NEEDLING COURSE CONSISTS OF 3 MAIN COMPONENTS:

WHAT TO EXPECT…

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (1.5 hours)

10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (0.5 hours)

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (1.5 hours)

12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. (45 minutes)

1:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (1 hour 45 minutes)

3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. (15 minutes)

3:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (1 hour 45 minutes)

5:00 p.m.

Learning outcomes

We look forward to meeting you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Important Information

Policies