ODNS – IAOM-US Dry Needling | IAOM-US

ODNS has been training qualified practitioners in the theory and skill of trigger point dry needling for 15 years throughout the UK, South Africa, India, and the Middle East. In 2013, they began offering courses in the US.

Our workshops are competency-based 1 day online and 2 day seminars with a strong emphasis on practical application.  All courses are credentialed for physical therapists, with CEU’s awarded by the APTA at the state level.
ODNS courses are all strongly practical in nature with good participant – facilitator ratios and are supported by a comprehensive manual.  We conduct high quality, evidence based courses with experienced physiotherapists as lecturers and assistants.

Following our course you should feel ready to dry needle the next day in your clinic.

Dry Needling Level 1 is a basic level course which teaches the theory and practice of dry needling of trigger points, and includes safety and ethics. We teach superficial dry needling, and deep dry needling techniques of the lumbar, cervical, shoulder, hip, and thigh. It is taught 1 day online and two days live.

Dry Needling Level 1 with cadaver lab is a basic level course which teaches the theory and practice of dry needling of trigger points, and includes safety and ethics. We teach superficial dry needling, and deep dry needling techniques of the lumbar, cervical, shoulder, hip, and thigh. It is taught 1 day online and 2 1/2 days live.

For level 1 courses 26 CEUs are awarded

For level 2 courses 24 CEUs are awarded

Dry Needling I Descriptions and Outlines

Level I Dry Needling Course Description

Level I Online Course:

  • Pre-course reading with a quiz.

  • Online lectures by ODNS staff consisting of the following topics:

  • historical overview

  • the neurophysiology of superficial and deep dry needling

  • ethics, precautions and contraindications

  • dry needling for radicular pain

  • clinical reasoning with the role of agonists and antagonists.

The online course includes exam questions for each lecture.  This online portion must be completed before the practical course, and will fulfill written examination requirements for dry needling courses.

Level I Practical Course:

The two-day intensive will prepare participants to treat most of the common diagnoses that involve myofascial pain. 

The importance of safety and clean techniques are taught and practiced throughout the workshop, ensuring that participants become accustomed to working with gloves and maintaining a neat and safe workspace throughout.  They will practice the techniques of inserting, manipulating, removing, and disposing of the needles on the first morning of the course.

Students will learn and practice the use of superficial dry needling including fascia and scars, periosteal pecking, and deep dry needling of the buttock, thigh, shoulder, cervical, and lumbar muscles. 

Case studies are included to apply clinical reasoning and recognize common indications for dry needling. 

This course includes practical competency exams at the end of each day. 

Level I Dry Needling with Cadaver Anatomy Course Description

The online portion is identical to the Level I without cadaver anatomy. 

Level I with Cadaver Anatomy Practical Course:

This course begins on the Friday evening to allow extra time in the cadaver lab, which earns you more CEUs than our basic course. We will take you into the cadaver Saturday and Sunday mornings to review the areas you are about to needle and actually see where you needle is going!

The 2.5 day intensive will prepare participants to treat most of the common diagnoses that involve myofascial pain. The importance of safety and clean techniques are taught and practiced throughout the workshop, ensuring that participants become accustomed to working with gloves and maintaining a neat and safe workspace throughout. They will practice the techniques of inserting, manipulating, removing, and disposing of the needles on the Friday evening of the course.

Students will learn and practice the use of superficial dry needling including fascia and scars, periosteal pecking, and deep dry needling of the buttock, thigh, shoulder, cervical and lumbar muscles.

Case studies are included to apply clinical reasoning and recognize common indications for dry needling. 

This practical course includes practical examinations at the end of each full day.

Who can attend:

Only licensed medical practitioners may attend.  This may include PT’s, OT’s, Athletic Trainers, Nurse practitioners, acupuncturists, PA’s, DC’s, DO’s and MD’s.  Before attending, please check with your state/country’s licensing board that dry needling is within your scope of practice.

What is included:

All the equipment that you will need for the course is included.  When you arrive, you will be issued with a complete needling kit, which will include all the needles that you will use for the course and more.  Gloves, sharps containers, and a station set up for needling will be ready for you.

You will receive a detailed manual for the course, and full catering is included.

Course Outline

Level I ODNS Outline

Level I ODNS Outline with Cadaver Anatomy