A man seen from behind with his bare back to a practitioner wearing blue gloves and a dark polo shirt, who is applying or demonstrating dry needling. The lower portion includes promotional text reading 'NAT Advanced Skills Diploma' and 'Foundation in Dry Needling' with course details and a circular logo.

Trigger Point Dry Needling (IMS)

Digital Edition
€157,95
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A man seen from behind with his bare back to a practitioner wearing blue gloves and a dark polo shirt, who is applying or demonstrating dry needling. The lower portion includes promotional text reading 'NAT Advanced Skills Diploma' and 'Foundation in Dry Needling' with course details and a circular logo.
  • A man seen from behind with his bare back to a practitioner wearing blue gloves and a dark polo shirt, who is applying or demonstrating dry needling. The lower portion includes promotional text reading 'NAT Advanced Skills Diploma' and 'Foundation in Dry Needling' with course details and a circular logo.
Trigger Point Dry Needling (IMS)

Trigger Point Dry Needling (IMS)

€157,95
Type

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
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.

Paul Townley MSc PT

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.

Return to course options ↑

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.
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