Dry Needling Courses
The Most Important in a Nutshell
The dry needling courses are intended for physiotherapists, medical doctors, chiropractors and osteopaths. We have been offering dry needling courses since 1995. They have now become internationally known. We initially developed the way we teach dry needling in the early 1990s. Since that time we have continuously refined and improved our approach. Our practical oriented dry needling courses will provide step by step guidance on the proper and safe use of various dry needling techniques. The dry needling courses offered by the DGSA recognize and respect the internationally recognized Swiss Guidelines For Safe Dry Needling, published by the Dry Needling Association Switzerland, DVS. The detailed knowledge of three-dimensional topographic anatomy is systematically put into practice. Participants are taught to emphasize and practice the use of anatomical landmarks, the potential danger zones and the correct selection of the needle in order to guarantee a safe dry needling technique. Participants practice dry needling under close supervision. Theoretical training includes pathophysiology, etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, clinical practice of myofascial trigger points, and myofascial dysfunctions and pain syndromes, as well as safety, indications, contraindications, and the hygiene rules of hygiene of dry needling. You will also gain an insight into evidence based practice in the fields of dry needling and myofascial pain.
Our courses are recognized worldwide and meet the highest professional, didactic and safety standards.
Is Dry Needling Within the Scope of Physiotherapy Practice?
In most countries yes. Dry needling is now used by hundreds of thousands of physiotherapists worldwide. In many countries, it is within the professional and legal scope of physiotherapy practice for decades. There are some countries where the relevant authorities impose specific requirements for physiotherapists to practice this technique. In Switzerland, for example, proof of a successful educational training (diploma) in dry needling is required. Although each course is an independent training unit and ends with a multiple-choice test, we recommend completing the entire training and graduate by taking the final exam. This will allow you to gain the DGSA dry needling therapist diploma as soon as possible and in the meantime, continuously practice in focus groups or quality circles during the training phase.
Since regulation varies by country, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the relevant regulation requirements in your country regarding dry needling for physiotherapists. You should also make sure that dry needling is included in your professional liability insurance.
Top 30 DN Course
Prerequisites
The course is designed for PTs, MDs, DCs and DOs.
Course Contents
This three-day introductory course covers the foundations of dry needling, myofascial pain syndrome, trigger points and the clinical highlights of dry needling. It is a hands-on course. Participants practice dry needling of the Top 30 muscles under consistent supervision with each other.
Please note, recognition of dry needling depends on the country of practice, and it is the responsibility of each graduate to follow the local regulations.
Duration of the Course
22.5 hours
Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course, participants will ...
- understand the basic scientific backgrounds of the myofascial pain syndrome and of trigger points.
- be able to identify the Top 30 muscles by surface anatomy, palpation and function. They will also understand their clinical symptoms and perpetuating factors.
- be able to identify the features of trigger points by physical examination and apply this knowledge to the Top 30 muscles.
- understand the specific indications and contraindications of dry needling.
- have the ability to apply the safety rules for dry needling.
- be able to perform dry needling of the Top 30 muscles.
- understand the possible side effects and complications of dry needling and will be able to react appropriately.
Advanced Course Upper Body DN - Upper Half of the Body
Prerequisites
- Top 30 DN or
- Top 30 Combi or
- comparable courses from other course providers will be checked individually.
Course Contents
During this two-day advanced course participants will learn the diagnosis, physical examination and dry needling of the most common muscles of the upper half of the body. The course is a hands on-course. Participants practice dry needling under consistent supervision with each other.
Please note, recognition of dry needling depends on the country of practice, and it is the responsibility of each graduate to follow the local regulations.
Duration of the Course
15 hours
Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course, participants will ...
- be able to identify the most common muscles of the upper half of the body by surface anatomy, palpation and function and understand their clinical symptoms and perpetuating factors.
- be able to identify the features of trigger points by physical examination and apply this knowledge to the most common muscles of the upper half of the body.
- be able to perform dry needling for the most common muscles of the upper half of the body.
- have updated their knowledge about research in the field of the myofascial pain syndrome and trigger points.
Advanced Course Lower Body DN - Lower Half of the Body
Prerequisites
- Top 30 DN or
- Top 30 Combi
- comparable courses: we will check the comparability individually.
Course Contents
During this two-day advanced course participants will learn the diagnosis, physical examination and dry needling of the most common muscles of the lower extremities. The course is a hands-on course. Participants practice dry needling under consistent supervision with each other.
Please note, recognition of dry needling depends on the country of practice, and it is the responsibility of each graduate to follow the local regulations.
Duration of the Course
15 hours
Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course, participants will ...
- be able to identify the most common muscles of the lower extremities by surface anatomy, palpation and function and understand their clinical symptoms and perpetuating factors.
- be able to identify the features of the trigger points by physical examination and apply this knowledge to the most common muscles of the lower extremities.
- be able to perform dry needling for the most common muscles of the lower extremities.
- have updated their knowledge about research in the field of the myofascial pain syndrome and trigger points.
Exam Preparation Course DN
Prerequisites
- Top 30 DN and Advanced Courses Upper Body DN and Lower Body DN or
- Top 30 Combi and Advanced Courses Upper Body DN and Lower Body DN
- Comparable courses: we will check the comparability individually.
Duration of the Course
8 hours
Course Contents
The professional course DN is a one-day course. It is designed as as refresher course and is a prerequisite for the dry needling exam.
Please note, recognition of dry needling depends on the country of practice, and it is the responsibility of each graduate to follow the local regulations.
Dry Needling Exam
The examination in dry needling is the completion of the dry needling education (diploma). A successful completion of formal training in dry needling is required by the regulating authorities in some countries, such as in Switzerland. The DGSA dry needling training meets the requirements of the Dry Needling Association Switzerland, DVS and the Sociéte française de Dry Needling, SFDN.
- In Switzerland, the exam is carried out by the DVS.
- In France, the exam is carried out by the SFDN.
- In other countries the exam is offered by the DGSA.
The three examination diplomas are equivalent.
Dry Needling Exam DVS
Switzerland
The examination in dry needling is the completion of the dry needling education. After passing the exam, the participants receive the diploma Dry Needling Therapist DVS®. A successful completion of formal training in dry needling is required by the regulating authorities in some countries, such as Switzerland. In Switzerland the exam in dry needling is done in cooperation with the Dry Needling Association Switzerland, DVS.
Prerequisites
- The main requirement to take the exam is to be a member of the Dry Needling Association Switzerland, DVS.
- In order to take the exam, practitioners will need to demonstrate at least 55 hours of practical training in dry needling.
Languages
The exam of the DVS is offered in the following languages: German, French and Italian
Dry Needling Exam SFDN
France, La Réunion
The examination in dry needling is the completion of the dry needling education. After passing the exam, the participants receive the diploma Dry Needling Therapist SFDN. A successful completion of formal training in dry needling is required by the regulating authorities in some countries, such as Switzerland. In France, the examination is offered by the Sociéte française de Dry Needling, SFDN, in cooperation with the Dry Needling Association Switzerland, DVS.
Prerequisites
- The main requirement to take the exam is to be a member of the Société Française de Dry Needling - SFDN.
- In order to take the exam, practitioners will need to demonstrate at least 55 hours of practical training in dry needling.
Languages
The examination of the SFDN is offered in French.
Dry Needling Exam DGSA
Countries outside Switzerland and France
The examination in dry needling is the completion of the dry needling education. After passing the exam, the participants receive the diploma Dry Needling Therapist DGSA®. A successful completion of formal training in dry needling is required by the regulating authorities in some countries, such as Switzerland. In most other countries, the exam is offered by the DGSA
Prerequisites
- Top 30 DN or Top 30 Combi and Advanced Courses Upper Body DN and Lower Body DN and Exam Preparation Course DN
Languages
The exam is offered German, English, French, Italian and if possible also in other languages.
