Dry Needling Certification

Upper Quadrant Dry Needling by ICE brings a modern approach to dry needling education with contemporary methods and tactical e-stim applications for the upper quadrant. This weekend lab intensive will initially focus on safe and effective dry needling technique for the cervico-thoracic spine, anterior and posterior shoulder girdle, upper arm, and forearm; and then highlight strategic e-stim applications for common upper quadrant conditions. Quickly become a confident and proficient dry needling practitioner equipped with the tools, training, and knowledge to help your patients with everything from pain relief, to improved function and mobility, to athlete recovery.

Participants will also have access to pre-course lecture content including an introduction to dry needling, safety standards, current research-based rationale of therapeutic mechanisms, and advocacy; as well as video demonstration prep materials for the lab intensive component.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 2-DAY AND 3-DAY DRY NEEDLING COURSE? 

Depending on your state, you may be required to have at least 27 hours of in-person dry needling training before you are legally allowed to perform techniques in clinic. We hold the 3-day version of our course in states that have a higher contact hour requirements. You may elect to attend a 2-day course held in another state, but you are ultimately responsible to ensure you have the mandatory minimum amount of training to use dry needling in the clinic.

2-day courses are approved for 27 hours (Two, nine-hour days in-person and 9 hours online)

3-day courses are approved for 36 hours (Three, nine-hour days in-person and 9 hours online)

3-Day Course Itinerary

2-Day Course Itinerary

Day 2

8:00 AM - 8:15 AM 
Welcome back/Q&A

8:15 AM - 9:15 AM 
Round robin review

9:15 AM - 9:30 AM 
E-stim for pain modulation

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM 
Upper spine: part 1 lab

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM 
Upper spine: part 2 lab

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM  
Lunch

1:00 PM - 1:15 PM 
E-stim for neuromuscular changes

1:15 PM - 1:45 PM 
Neuromuscular stimulation lab

1:45 PM - 2:30 PM 
Competency check

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM 
Alternative positions lab

3:30 PM - 3:45 PM 
E-stim for fluid dynamics

3:45 PM - 4:45 PM 
Recovery lab 

4:45 PM - 6:00 PM 
Clinical chat & wrap-up

Course Objectives

• Examine how our updated, research-based understanding of dry needling mechanisms fit into pathomechanistic models of function, pain, and rehab
• Examine research trends associated with dry needling from early use to current state
• Investigate some of the research-based treatment effects of dry needling in the context of targeted and specific treatment intent
• Identify contraindications and precautions along associated with dry needling for the upper quarter
• Identify relevant upper quarter myofascial and neurovascular anatomy associated with proper and effective application of dry needling
• Discuss minor and major adverse events associated with dry needling and strategies to manage, mitigate, and minimize these risks with proper dry needling technique
• Discuss and execute clean needle handling associated with dry needling techniques
• Demonstrate safe and effective dry needling techniques to specified upper quarter anatomical tissue targets
• Demonstrate strategic and effective execution of indwelling electrical stimulation circuits for the clinical management of upper quarter conditions

HOW DO I KNOW IF I'M ALLOWED TO DRY NEEDLE? WHAT REQUIREMENTS DOES MY STATE HAVE?

In the United States, only physical therapists (PT), medical doctors (MD), doctors of osteopathy (DO), and chiropractic physicians (DC) are allowed to perform dry needling. The ability for these providers to perform dry needling depends entirely on state. Please read the list below and reference the map to know if you are allowed to dry needle, and what your requirements may be. These are the requirements for physical therapists. If you are a provider from another profession, contact your state board or association to learn more. YOU ARE ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE TO KNOW THE LEGALITIES SURROUNDING DRY NEEDLING IN YOUR STATE AS WELL AS THE EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS NEEDED TO PERFORM DRY NEEDLING WITH PATIENTS. If you are unsure of your requirements or if you practice in multiple states, contact your state association or board to clarify requirements.

Alabama
Dry needling training required. No specific hourly requirement.

Alaska
Dry needling training required. No specific hourly requirement.

Arizona
24 hours of training required.

Arkansas
Dry needling training required. No specific hourly requirement.

Colorado
50 hours of training required (30 prior to using in-clinic). Only 10 hours can come from online sources.

Delaware
25 hours of training required.

Florida
50 hours of training required.

Georgia
50 hours of training required.

Idaho
27 hours of training required.

Illinois
54 hours of training required within a 12-month window. 27 hours required prior to use in-clinic.

Indiana
Dry needling training required. No specific hourly requirement.

Iowa
Dry needling training required. No specific hourly requirement.

Kansas 
Dry needling training required. No specific hourly requirement.

Kentucky
Dry needling training required. No specific hourly requirement.

Louisiana
50 hours of training required.

Maine
Dry needling training required. No specific hourly requirement.

Maryland
80 hours of training required. All training must be in-person, face-to-face.

Mississippi
50 hours of training required.

Montana
Dry needling training required. No specific hourly requirement.

Nebraska
Dry needling training required. No specific hourly requirement.

Nevada
25 hours of training required.

New Hampshire
Dry needling training required. No specific hourly requirement.

New Mexico 
24 hours of training required.

North Carolina 
Dry needling training required. No specific hourly requirement.

North Dakota
Dry needling training required. No specific hourly requirement.

Ohio 
Dry needling training required. No specific hourly requirement.

Rhode Island
Dry needling training required. No specific hourly requirement.

South Carolina 
Dry needling training required. No specific hourly requirement.

South Dakota 
Dry needling training required. No specific hourly requirement.

Tennessee 
50 hours of training required.

Texas
Dry needling training required. No specific hourly requirement.

Utah
54 hours of training required.

Vermont
Dry needling training required. No specific hourly requirement.

Virginia 
54 hours of training required.

Washington D.C. 
Dry needling training required. No specific hourly requirement.

West Virginia 
Dry needling training required. No specific hourly requirement.

Wyoming 
27 hours of training required.

Connecticut/Massachusetts/Michigan/Minnesota/Missouri/Oklahoma/Pennsylvania/Wisconsin
These are "grey states." You do not need any dry needling training to perform dry needling in the clinic. You have no specific contact hour requirements.

California/Hawaii/New York/Oregon/Washington
These are "red states." It is illegal for a physical therapist to perform dry needling in these states.

TARGET AUDIENCE 

• Physical therapists
• Occupational therapists
• Chiropractors
• Physicians
• Athletic trainers

PREREQUISITES

• NONE
  

EDUCATION LEVEL

• Entry-level