DHA Dry Needling Level 1 Course 2025

Program Description: 

This course will enable clinicians to provide evidence-based pain management techniques to effectively treat acute and chronic myofascial pain without the use of pharmacologic treatments within a multimodal treatment plan. Students will conduct a thorough review of clinically relevant anatomy with hands on lab training with the conduct of advanced palpation, functional assessments, and the application of safe trigger point dry needling techniques in the upper extremity, lower extremity, and spine. Upon course completion, participants will be able to perform non-pharmacological pain management interventions for musculoskeletal injuries using trigger point dry needling techniques to facilitate expedited return to duty timelines using safe and conservative treatment options outside of medication and profiling alone.

Target Audience

This activity provides continuing education for physicians, nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists, and physical therapist assistants. A certificate of attendance is available for other attendees.

Learning Objectives

  1. Describe the common nomenclature and definitions of dry needling used to treat trigger points/myofascial pain.
  2. Define the indications, contraindications, precautions, and possible adverse reactions that clinicians should consider when determining if a patient is an appropriate candidate for trigger point dry needling.
  3. Differentiate acupuncture vs. dry needling treatment theories and physiology concepts that should be explained to patients during the consent and education processes in the clinical setting.
  4. Analyze a thorough literature review of available medical evidence for and against trigger point dry needling in the management of musculoskeletal conditions.
  5. Identify the administrative requirements and best practices for training, certification, clinical documentation, preceptorship, and privileging in the US military health system according to current policies and/or regulations.
  6. Utilize safe trigger point dry needling techniques, relevant functional tests, and appropriate informed consent procedures in the upper extremity, lower extremity, and spine utilizing standard precautions and universal to minimize risk of any possible adverse events.
  7. Practice safe and effective use of percutaneous electrostimulation during a trigger point dry needling session.
  8. Demonstrate proficiency in appropriate palpation techniques to promote safety and appropriate protection to treatment areas to reduce the risk of an adverse event.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 21.00 Physician Assistants (AAPA)
    DHA J-7 CEPO has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 21.00 hours of AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until Wednesday, December 31, 2025 - 11:59pm ET. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
  • 21.00 ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit
    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing education. ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit providers will be provided a certificate of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit providers may receive a maximum of 21.00 hours for completing this Course activity.
  • 21.00 Physicians (ACCME)

    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    DHA, J-7, CEPO designated this Course for a maximum of 21.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 21.00 Nurses (ANCC)
    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Joint Accreditation/ Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) to provide this Continuing Nursing Education Course for a maximum of 21.00 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 21.00 Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants (APTA)
    DHA, J-7, CEPO is an American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Approved Provider of continuing education. This activity was planned by and for the health care team, and learners will receive 2.1 APTA CEUs. The assignment of APTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by APTA. APTA CEUs are accepted by most state PT licensing boards. Learners are encouraged to check with their local chapter or state board to ensure that they accept APTA accredited courses for licensure renewal.
  • 21.00 Certificate of Attendance
  • 21.00 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE)

    In support of improving patient care, DHA, J-7, CEPO is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the health care team. This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 21.00 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.

Course opens: 
03/01/2025
Course expires: 
12/31/2025

Disclosure: DHA J-7 staff, planners, authors, faculty, and content reviewers for this educational activity have no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Available Credit

  • 21.00 Physician Assistants (AAPA)
    DHA J-7 CEPO has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 21.00 hours of AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until Wednesday, December 31, 2025 - 11:59pm ET. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
  • 21.00 ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit
    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing education. ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit providers will be provided a certificate of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit providers may receive a maximum of 21.00 hours for completing this Course activity.
  • 21.00 Physicians (ACCME)

    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    DHA, J-7, CEPO designated this Course for a maximum of 21.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 21.00 Nurses (ANCC)
    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Joint Accreditation/ Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) to provide this Continuing Nursing Education Course for a maximum of 21.00 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 21.00 Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants (APTA)
    DHA, J-7, CEPO is an American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Approved Provider of continuing education. This activity was planned by and for the health care team, and learners will receive 2.1 APTA CEUs. The assignment of APTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by APTA. APTA CEUs are accepted by most state PT licensing boards. Learners are encouraged to check with their local chapter or state board to ensure that they accept APTA accredited courses for licensure renewal.
  • 21.00 Certificate of Attendance
  • 21.00 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE)

    In support of improving patient care, DHA, J-7, CEPO is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the health care team. This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 21.00 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.

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Requirements: CE/CME certificates are awarded to participants who fully complete the activity, successfully submit the evaluation survey, and pass the posttest. The deadline to claim credit is Dec 31, 2025.

Access Code: Some activities require an access code to register or claim credit. Please contact the organization providing the activity for the access code. The Continuing Education Program Office (CEPO) does not provide access codes.

Accommodations: Please contact the course instructor to inquire about accommodations. For additional technical support, email [email protected].