DHA Dry Needling Level 1 Course NOV 2024

November 15, 2024 to November 17, 2024

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 athletic trainers. A certificate of attendance is available for other attendees.

Learning Objectives

DHA Dry Needling Level 1 Course – Day 1 (7.50 clock hours)

Introduction to Dry Needling- Literature Review – 120 minutes 

  1. Define terminology, physiology, and theory of dry needling.
  2. Review and synthesize the current body of clinical research available for and against dry needling for neuro-musculoskeletal conditions.
  3. Explain the role of dry needling in the military medical system and the legal aspects of provider liability.
  4. Describe documentation to provide this treatment modality and physical therapy.

Palpation & Assessment Lab - 45 minutes

  1. Identify areas of soft tissue dysfunction, often referred to as "trigger points", and their potential symptom Referral patterns which may benefit from dry needling intervention.
  2. Describe a review of important anatomical structures to consider when conducting dry needling.

Orientation to Needles - 45 minutes

  1. Demonstrate safe handling of acupuncture needles during the intervention of trigger point dry needling.
  2. Describe and identify the safety considerations associated with needling techniques related to various anatomical structures.

Anterior Thigh Dry Needling Lab - 120 minutes

  1. Explain the indications, assessments, and techniques for dry needling the anterior thigh.
  2. Demonstrate safe and appropriate use of needling techniques for anterior thigh musculature reviewed in the course.
  3. Discuss practical applications in treating this area for specific medical conditions.

Adductors and Posterior Thigh Dry Needling Lab - 120 minutes

  1. Explain the indications, assessments, and techniques for dry needling the posterior thigh.
  2. Demonstrate safe and appropriate use of needling techniques for posterior thigh musculature reviewed in the course.
  3. Discuss practical applications in treating this area for specific medical conditions.

DHA Dry Needling Level 1 Course - Day 2 (7.75 clock hours)

Hip/Pelvis Dry Needling Lecture & Lab - 120 minutes

  1. Explain the indications, assessments, and techniques for dry needling the hip and pelvis.
  2. Demonstrate safe and appropriate use of needling techniques for proximal hip and pelvis musculature reviewed in the course.
  3. Discuss practical applications in treating this area for specific medical conditions.

Lumbar Spine Dry Needling Lecture & Lab - 105 minutes

  1. Explain the indications, assessments, and techniques for dry needling the lumbar spine.
  2. Demonstrate safe and appropriate use of needling techniques for lumbar spine musculature reviewed in the course.
  3. Discuss practical applications in treating this area for specific medical conditions.

Distal Lower Extremity Dry Needling Lecture & Lab - 120 minutes

  1. Explain the indications, assessments, and techniques for dry needling the distal leg.
  2. Demonstrate safe and appropriate use of needling techniques for distal leg musculature reviewed in the course.
  3. Discuss practical applications in treating this area for specific medical conditions.

Shoulder Dry Needling Lecture & Lab - 120 minutes

  1. Explain the indications, assessments, and techniques for dry needling the shoulder complex.
  2. Demonstrate safe and appropriate use of needling techniques for shoulder complex musculature reviewed in the course.
  3. Discuss practical applications in treating this area for specific medical conditions.

DHA Dry Needling Level 1 Course – Day 3 (5.75 clock hours)

Cervical Spine Dry Needling Lab - 120 minutes

  1. Explain the indications, assessments, and techniques for dry needling the cervical spine region.
  2. Demonstrate safe and appropriate use of needling techniques for cervical spine musculature reviewed in the course.
  3. Discuss practical applications in treating this area for specific medical conditions.

Distal Upper Extremity Dry Needling Lab - 120 minutes

  1. Explain the indications, assessments, and techniques for dry needling the upper extremity region (hand, wrist, elbow).
  2. Demonstrate safe and appropriate use of needling techniques for the upper extremity musculature reviewed in the course.
  3. Discuss practical applications in treating this area for specific medical conditions.

Clinical Application of Dry Needling: Case Scenarios & Application of Techniques - 105 minutes

  1. Discuss and review relevant case studies that apply directly to clinical practice for specific common orthopedic conditions.
  2. Describe safety precautions, indications and contraindications of the dry needling skills learned during the course and how to apply them in the clinic..

Course Comprehensive Written and Lab Practicum Testing - 30 minutes

  1. Students will complete a 30-question written test and complete conduct a clinical practicum testing.
  2. Students will be required to needle two (2) muscle groups and demonstrate safe needle handling, standard precautions/infection control, palpation, and treatment techniques.
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 Monday, December 2, 2024 - 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 American Physical Therapy Association (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 Athletic Trainers (BOC)

    Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC)

    DHA, J-7, CEPO (BOC AP #: P12034) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc., to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs). This program is eligible for a maximum of 21.00 Category A hours/Continuing Education Units (CEUs). ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program

  • 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: 
11/08/2024
Course expires: 
12/02/2024
Event starts: 
11/15/2024 - 7:30am EST
Event ends: 
11/17/2024 - 4:15pm EST
Colorado Springs, CO
United States

Maj Britt Greene, P.T., D.P.T., O.C.S., S.C.S. Presenter has no financial or non- financial relationships to disclose.
Maj Joshua Shumway, P.T., D.P.T., F.A.A.O.M.P.T., S.C.S., O.C.S., C.S.C.S. Presenter has no financial or non- financial relationships to disclose.

Disclosure: DHA J-7 staff, Planning Committee Members and reviewers have no financial or non-financial interest to disclose. All faculty members have no financial or non-financial interest 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 Monday, December 2, 2024 - 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 American Physical Therapy Association (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 Athletic Trainers (BOC)

    Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC)

    DHA, J-7, CEPO (BOC AP #: P12034) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc., to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs). This program is eligible for a maximum of 21.00 Category A hours/Continuing Education Units (CEUs). ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program

  • 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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Access Codes: Some courses require an access code to register. Please reach out to the point of contact at the organization providing the activity for the registration code. The Continuing Education Program Office (CEPO) does not provide access codes.

Accommodations: CEPO provides captions and transcripts to hearing-impaired learners upon request. For real-time closed captioning, contact CEPO at least three (3) business days before the event. If we cannot arrange for live captioning, a video recording and audio transcript will be provided after the event, typically within ten business days. For events delivered by CEPO’s partners, please contact the course instructor to inquire about accommodations.

For more details, or to submit a request, email dha.ncr.j7.mbx.cepo-cms-support@health.mil.