Trigger Point Dry Needling (IMS)

NAT Advanced Skills Course · 18 Hours CE/CPD

Foundation in Dry Needling

Build a structured, safety-focused foundation in trigger point dry needling for musculoskeletal and rehabilitation practice.

Presented by neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapist Paul Townley, this comprehensive online course combines trigger point theory, assessment, palpation, clinical reasoning and needling safety with detailed practical instruction across the major muscle groups. It is intended for qualified professionals where dry needling falls within their legal and professional scope of practice.

Study time 18 hours Course areas 5 structured areas Format Online and self-paced Completion Assessment and certificate

What you will learn

Develop a safer and more clinically informed approach to dry needling.

• Understand the clinical relevance of myofascial trigger points, referred pain and associated movement dysfunction.
• Use case history, observation, palpation and clinical reasoning to assess whether dry needling may be appropriate.
• Identify important contraindications, precautions and risk factors before considering treatment.
• Develop foundational needle-handling, positioning and introductory needling skills.
• Follow detailed practical instruction for locating and approaching commonly treated muscle groups.
• Place dry needling within a wider musculoskeletal assessment, rehabilitation and treatment-planning process.

Course content

From clinical foundations to practical application.

Course area 01

Trigger Point Foundations

Explore the development and behaviour of myofascial trigger points, their potential relationship with pain and movement dysfunction, and the clinical principles that underpin trigger point dry needling.

Presented by Paul Townley MSc PT Course area 02

Assessment and Palpation

Develop a structured approach to case history, physical assessment and palpation. Learn how tissue response, symptom behaviour and clinical findings contribute to responsible patient selection and treatment planning.

Presented by Paul Townley MSc PT Course area 03

Safety and Contraindications

Examine essential precautions, contraindications, anatomical risks, hygiene considerations and professional responsibilities associated with dry needling practice.

Presented by Paul Townley MSc PT Course area 04

Clinical Reasoning and Technique

Connect assessment findings with appropriate clinical decisions. Learn foundational handling, positioning and introductory needling approaches while maintaining a clear emphasis on safety and informed professional judgement.

Presented by Paul Townley MSc PT Course area 05

Practical Muscle Tutorials

Follow step-by-step video demonstrations covering the major muscle groups. Tutorials reinforce anatomy, palpation, positioning, needle direction, depth awareness and relevant safety considerations.

Presented by Paul Townley MSc PT

What is included?

A comprehensive online training programme.

• Approximately five hours of professionally produced video instruction
• Fully illustrated 180-page course text
• Step-by-step tutorials covering major muscle groups
• Companion learning content and structured course reinforcement
• Subtitles in English, French, German and Spanish
• Online final assessment and downloadable 18-hour CE/CPD certificate
• Lifetime access for flexible, self-paced online study

Suitability

For appropriately qualified professionals

• Physical therapists and physiotherapists
• Athletic trainers
• Doctors of Chiropractic
• Acupuncture and rehabilitation professionals
• Other licensed clinicians where dry needling is within scope

Check your professional scope before enrolling

Dry needling regulation varies significantly by profession and location. Completing this online course does not independently confer a legal right to perform dry needling. Before enrolling or applying any technique, confirm the current requirements with your licensing board, professional association, employer or regulatory authority.

This course provides continuing professional education and does not replace any supervised practical training, professional qualification, licence or jurisdiction-specific requirement that may apply where you practise.

Your presenter

Learn from an experienced musculoskeletal clinician and educator.

Neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy

Paul Townley MSc PT

Paul Townley is an experienced neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapist and educator with more than 20 years of clinical experience in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, manual therapy, dry needling and elite-sport consultancy.

He holds a master’s degree in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and maintains professional memberships with the Manipulative Association of Chartered Physiotherapists and the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists. He has also worked as an extended-scope practitioner and university lecturer.

Paul’s teaching combines detailed anatomy and practical instruction with a strong emphasis on assessment, clinical reasoning, patient selection and safe professional practice.

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CE Finder

This course has been approved for continuing education by professional boards and associations. Scroll through the list to find your board or association.

Course: Dry Needling Foundations
Approvals Listed: 47
CE Broker Provider: #20-1132170 Approvals in alphabetical order Alaska Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (ACBSP) Approved Hours: 18 Arizona Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 Arkansas Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) Approved Hours: 18 British Acupuncture Council Approved Hours: 18 Canadian Athletic Trainers Association (CATA) Approved Hours: 7.2 CEU/CPD Self-Cert Approved Hours: 18 Chinese Medicine Board of Australia Approved Hours: 18 College of Acupuncturists of Alberta Approved Hours: 18 College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncurists of British Columbia Approved Hours: 18 College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncurists of Ontario Approved Hours: 18 Connecticut Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 Florida Board of Acupuncture Approved Hours: 18 Florida Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 Georgia Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 Georgia Composite Medical Board (Acupuncturists) Approved Hours: 18 Hawaii Board of Acupuncture Approved Hours: 18 Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 Idaho Physical Therapy Licensure Board Approved Hours: 10 Indiana Professional Licensing Agency Physical Therapy Committee Approved Hours: 10 Iowa Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 Kansas Board of Healing Arts (Physical Therapy) Approved Hours: 10 Maine Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 Massachusetts Board of Allied Health Professions (Physical Therapy) Approved Hours: 10 Michigan Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 Mississippi Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 Missouri Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 Montana Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) Approved Hours: 18 Nebraska Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners Approved Hours: 10 North Dakota Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 Oregon Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 Pennsylvania Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 Rhode Island Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 South Dakota Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 Tennessee Board of Acupuncture Approved Hours: 18 Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 Texas Board of Physical Therapy (TPTA/TBPTE) Approved Hours: 10 Utah Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 Vermont Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 Virginia Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10 Washington Board of Acupuncture Approved Hours: 18 Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (Athletic Training) Approved Hours: 18 Wyoming Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours: 10

Approval requirements can change. Please confirm acceptance with your own board, association, employer, or regulatory authority before registration.