Equine Dry Needling

Description

The Equine Dry Needling (EQ-DN) course is designed for veterinarians, physical therapists, and chiropractors with an interest in equine myofascial pain management. This course will introduce health professionals to the management of equine myofascial pain using dry needling therapies. The EQ-DN course includes the management of 20 equine muscles. Future advanced level equine dry needling courses will expand upon the treatment options dependent upon interest.

NOTE: In the US and Canada, physical therapists may not be able to use equine dry needling without a veterinarian. Please check your state laws and regulations before using equine dry needling in clinical practice.

The class size is limited to 20 students.

The course instructors are Dr. María Resano and Maria Calatayud, two Spanish clinicians and researchers, who specialize in equine physiotherapy and rehabilitation. 

Course CEUs

Application pending with the American Association of Veterinary State Boards RACE committee.

Course Discounts

Physical Therapists receive a $200 discount. Please check the box at checkout confirming that you are a physical therapist. We may ask for verification.

Participants should dress casually and comfortably. Proper shoes are recommended. Although this is an equine course program, course participants will practice a few basic dry needling treatment techniques on each other prior to working with the horses.

Course Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe all studied muscles in the course: origin and insertion, innervation, function, and dry needling precautions
• Describe three aspects of the contribution of myofascial trigger points to soft tissue pain and dysfunction
• Describe the key components of the Integrated Trigger Point Hypothesis
• Demonstrate proper identification of all the muscles studied in the course
• Demonstrate high standards of palpation of the muscles studied in the course: applicable to most soft tissue abnormalities
• Demonstrate proper identification of the three key features of a trigger point
• Describe three basic principles (technique, indications/contraindications,  hygiene and safety) of dry needling
• Demonstrate safe and accurate dry needling of each included muscle 

Course Schedule

This is a 3-day course starting each day at 8:00 am until 5:30 pm. This course includes theoretical classes and practical sessions with horses. Each day will have two 15-minute Q&A sessions and one hour for lunch.

Note: Actual times may vary with each program at the discretion of the instructors. Coffee breaks are provided; meals are on your own.

Day 1 - Introduction to Myofascial Pain

7:30-8:00          Registration

8:00-8:30          Lecture: Introduction to Myofascial Pain

8:30-9:00          Lecture: The Integrated Trigger Point Hypothesis

9:00-9:30          Lecture: Etiology, clinical aspects, and diagnosis

9:30-10:00        Lecture: Treatment                   

10:00-10:15      Questions & Answers

10:15-10:45      Lecture: Palpation techniques: Identification of taut bands, TrPs, and pain

10:45-11:15      Lecture: Description of the technique; Indications and contraindications

11:15-11:45      Lecture: Rules, hygiene, and safety

11:45-12:15      Lab: Practice of Dry Needling in participants

12:15-01:15      Lunch

01:15-05:00     Lecture: Anatomy and Dry Needling technique of the Neck

Brachiocephalicus

Splenius

Rhomboid

Trapezius

                       

Day 2 - Introduction to Equine Myofascial Pain

8:00-8:30          Lecture: Biomechanics and TrPs

8:30-9:00          Lecture: Pain measurements in horses

9:00-9:15          Questions & Answers

Dry Needling of the back

9:15-12:15        Lecture: Anatomy and Dry Needling technique of the back

Erector spinae group

12:15-01:15      Lunch

01:15-05:30      Lecture: Anatomy and Dry Needling technique of the forelimb

Pectoralis Descendens

Biceps Brachii

Subclavian

Supraspinatus

Infraspinatus

Triceps Brachii

Deltoid

Flexor Digitorum Superficialis

Extensor Carpi Radialis

 

Day 3 - Dry needling of the hindlimb

8:00-12:15          Lecture: Anatomy and Dry Needling technique of the hindlimb

Gluteus medius

Gluteus superficialis

Biceps femoris

Semitendinosus

Semimembranosus

Tensor fasciae latae

Quadriceps

12:15-01:15      Lunch

01:15-01:45      Exam: Theory

01:45-04:45      Exam: Practice

04:45-05:30      Summary and Conclusion

Prerequisites

None

Required Textbook

There are no required textbooks for this course, but we recommend

Dommerholt, J & Fernández De Las Peñas, C 2018. Trigger point dry needling; an evidenced and clinical-based approach. Edinburgh, Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone.  Available at checkout.

Pauli Gronberg 2015. ABC of the Horse Atlas. 6th edition. Otava Book Printing Ltd.

Who Should Attend

Veterinarians

Physical Therapists

Chiropractors

Familiarity with or a strong interest in equine therapy is required.