Trigger Point Acupuncture / Dry Needling 3

The Trigger Point Acupuncture / Dry Needling 3 course is the final course in the series to bring acupuncturists to the highest level of clinical proficiency in the management of patients with myofascial pain and attain certification as a Certified Trigger Point Acupuncturist (CTPA).

The course features an in-depth study of the hand muscles, several lower extremity and foot muscles, the craniofacial and craniomandibular muscles, and the longus colli muscles. Students will review each muscle's anatomy, function, and trigger point acupuncture/dry needling techniques. The third day of the course includes theoretical and practical examinations. To pass, students must achieve 70% on a multiple-choice exam plus demonstrate competency in TrP Acupuncture/Dry Needling. 

The exam is based on the required textbook, with a bias toward the lectures presented throughout the courses. We recommend focusing on what is known about trigger points; the endplate dysfunction as part of the TrP pathology; what chemicals have been found in the vicinity of TrPs and what that means, active vs. latent TrPs; local twitch responses; referred pain mechanisms; the Cinderella hypothesis, etc., but also some anatomy, needle technique, precautions, adverse events, and the differences and similarities between dry needling and acupuncture.

Trigger Point Dry Needling: An Evidence and Clinical-Based Approach, 2nd Edition By Jan Dommerholt and Fernández-de-las-Peñas. 

Click Here to purchase the book from Myopain Seminars

Successful completion of the Myopain Seminars TrP Acupuncture/DN 2 course

Please read the following chapters from the required textbook prior to class: Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. This information will be included in the final exam.

Note: The actual times may vary with each program at the discretion of the instructors. Refreshments are provided; meals are on your own.

Day 1 

Day 2

Day 3

Acupuncturists

Doctors of Oriental Medicine

Course Participant Attestation:

I understand that the information in this course presented by the Provider and/or Instructor(s) is for educational purposes only and should only be applied with appropriate clinical judgment and used by a trained and licensed practitioner. Governmental laws and regulations vary from region to region and the contents of this course vary in permissible usage. The participant is required to check their local, state, and federal laws and regulations regarding the practice requirements and scope of practice issues and the use of the information of this course including, but not limited to, theory, herbal medicine, and acupuncture. I acknowledge that NCCAOM does not endorse any specific treatment regimens of any kind. Furthermore, if I use any modalities or treatments taught in this course, I agree to waive, release, indemnify, discharge, and covenant not to sue NCCAOM from and against any liability, claims, demands, or causes of action whatsoever, arising out of any injury, loss, or damage that a person may sustain related to the use of the information in this course. I understand that this Release is governed by the laws of District of Columbia, U.S.A. and shall survive the termination or expiration of this course.  

The DNAC-3 course (PDA-9087-3) is approved by the NCCAOM for 23 PDA Points.

This course has been approved by the California Acupuncture Board, Provider Number CEP 1769, for 23 hours of continuing education.

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

• Discuss three indications for dry needling of the longus colli muscle
• Discuss three different dry needling techniques for needling the intrinsic hand muscles
• Demonstrate two different dry needling approaches for the zygomaticus muscles
• Name at least four anatomical structures to avoid when needling the scalene muscles
• Demonstrate three different dry needling approaches for the lateral pterygoid muscle
• Compare and contrast three differences between dry needling of the adductor pollicis and the adductor hallucis
• Explain the similarities and differences between acupuncture and TrP dry needling