Individuals wanting to participate on the National Qualification in Trigger Point Needling programme must hold the National Qualification in Neuromuscular Therapy or equivalent.

Individuals who do not hold the National Qualification in Neuromuscular Therapy but who have a background in medicine, physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture etc. can complete an additional two day educational weekend regarding Trigger Points which, upon successful completion, will allow participation. Participants licensed to perform injection or dry needling therapy are eligible to take this additional weekend. This includes all allopathic, osteopathic, naturopathic, and podiatric physicians, physician assistants, nurses and nurse practitioners, acupuncturists, and physiotherapists, chiropractors etc.

Students are fully insured by the NTC while participating on this programme. Graduates must hold valid professional indemnity insurance in order to practice. All participants are expected to participate in the hands-on portion of the course.

Trigger Point Examination Weekend

This is a separate programme for individuals who DO NOT have any background in Trigger Points. All other individuals do not need to participate on the Trigger Points Examination Weekend.

Introduction

Myofascial pain syndromes (MPS) affect muscles, joints and skeletal structures, leading to pain, loss of function and movement impairments. The myofascial trigger point, the characteristic and diagnostic feature of MPS, is the physical entity by which MPS is identified. Treatment involves inactivating myofascial trigger points, correcting biomechanical and postural dysfunction, and restoring normal movement patterns. This two-day workshop is presented to teach the techniques of trigger point identification, effective manual techniques of inactivation of trigger points, and restoration of function. Each teaching block consists of an introductory lecture and demonstration, followed by supervised hands-on practice in small groups.

Workshop Objectives

Upon completion of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Relate the neurophysiology of myofascial pain to the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome and to the clinical features of tenderness, referred pain, and limited movement
• Identify select muscles of the body by surface anatomy and by function
• Identify the features of the trigger point by physical examination and apply this knowledge to individual muscles in different regions of the body
• Perform muscle and region-specific manual therapy treatments to inactivate myofascial trigger points and restore movement patterns and posture, integrating various treatment techniques including post-isometric contraction-relaxation, muscle specific stretching, postural corrections, and manual trigger point therapy.

Each of the days on the Trigger Point Examination weekend will run from 09:00 until 17:00 and will include:

• Principles of assessment and treatment
• Introduction to myofascial pain syndrome (MPS)
• Head, neck, and shoulder pain and dysfunction
• Neurophysiology and scientific basis of MPS and trigger point therapy
• Shoulder, arm, and hand pain and dysfunction
• Low back, pelvis, and hip pain dysfunction
• Current scientific knowledge base of the sensory aspects of MPS
• Lower extremity pain and dysfunction

The programme will run on various weekends, and at various venues in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Donegal. Please contact the office of administration at the National Training Centre to confirm availability and venues on 01 882 7777. 

The cost of the Trigger Point Examination weekend is €350.00. (Only required for those who do not hold the National Qualification in Neuromuscular Therapy or equivalent)

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Review the functional muscle anatomy and myofascial trigger point referred pain patterns;
• Demonstrate the anatomic and physiologic characteristics of the myofascial trigger point and identify it by palpation;
• Discuss the indications and contra-indications to needling and injection therapy;
• Discuss the possible complications of needling and injection therapy;
• Discuss the pharmacology of the different drugs and biologicals used in injection therapy;
• Diagnose and treat persons with myofascial pain syndrome using dry needling techniques.

The National Qualification in Trigger Point Needling includes the following elements:

• Introduction to invasive trigger point inactivation
• Complications of dry needling and injection
• Contra-indications to dry needling
• Dry needling of selected shoulder, arm and hand muscles
• Dry needling of selected head and neck muscles
• Dry needling of selected trunk, abdominal and low back muscles
• Dry needling of selected hip, leg and foot muscles

The cost of participation on the National Qualification in Trigger Point Needling is €1200.00 for both modules. Qualification may only be achieved by completing both modules. 

Places may be reserved by payment of a non-refundable deposit of €400.00 with the balance of €800.00 due on or before the Friday immediately preceding the course start date.

You can enroll online by selecting the course and payment option which best suits your requirements on the right hand side of this page. 

Alternatively you can contact us by telephone on 01 882 7777 (Dublin), 021 430 1222 (Cork), 091 530 888 (Galway) or 074 912 1733 (Donegal). 

You may also download an enrollment form and brochure from the download panel to the left and send completed forms to: National Training Centre, 15 - 16 St. Joseph's Parade, Dorset Street, Dublin 7. 

You may also contact us at anytime to discuss any queries you have or to arrange an appointment to visit our facilities.

Exercise physiologist and physical therapist, John Sharkey MSc, is an accepted pioneer and leading expert on the application of Dry Needling for the effective treatment of Myofascial Trigger Points. John is a member of the Science and Medical Team for the Olympic Council of Ireland and of the editorial board of the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. John also works closely with the world renowned Leon Chaitow.

Cristopher Alejandro, originally from the Philippines, is a qualified physiotherapist and neuromuscular therapist. Cristopher also holds the National University of Ireland's certificate in Training and Continuing Education.

National Qualification in Trigger Point Needling 

DUBLIN Course Schedule for 2013

Weekend Course

Saturday and Sunday from 9.00 to 17:00

Module 1 - March 2nd and 3rd

Module 2 - April 6th and 7th

Module 1 - September 21st and 22nd

Module 2 - October 19th and 20th

CORK Course Schedule for 2013

Weekend Course 

Saturday and Sunday from 9.00 to 17:00

 Module 1 - May 25th and 26th

Module 2 - June 29th and 30th

Do I need to hold any other qualification in order to participate on this programme ?

Yes. Individuals wanting to participate on the National Qualification in Trigger Point Needling programme must hold the National Qualification in Neuromuscular Therapy or equivalent. Individuals who are qualified in other areas of medicine or bodywork therapies may meet the eligibility requirement by sitting the separate Trigger Point Examination module.

What will I be qualified to do when I complete this course successfully ?

On successful completion you will be qualified to treat myofascial trigger points by dry needling (intramuscular trigger point stimulation). Participants will learn various dry needling techniques using solid acupuncture needles.

Will I need to get insurance ?

The National Training Centre's code of ethics insists that all Trigger Point Needling graduates who are actively working in the profession, hold a professional indemnity insurance policy which covers the therapist against legal action taken by a patient as a result of an injury received during treatment. Therapists who are working on private premises may also need to hold public liability insurance. The Association of Neuromuscular Physical Therapists (ANMPT), which all of our Trigger Point Needling graduates are entitled to join, has negotiated a very attractive professional indemnity block insurance policy which offers extensive cover  for practitioners.The policy has been arranged through Balens Ltd and the insurer for the scheme is the Zurich and DAS Legal Expenses. Balens are a very well established, fourth generation family-run business dedicated to looking after health professionals. They are built on solid roots going back to 1950 and are pioneers in the development of top quality cover for all types of health professionals with special rates and industry leading cover that has been developing and improving over 22 years in this speciality. The scheme will cover thousands of other therapies/activities you may require cover for and many at no extra premium subject to suitable qualification held. Some of the features covered in the policy consist of Medical Malpractice, Professional Indemnity, Public Liability, Product Liability, Loss of Reputation, Breach of Intellectual Property, Client Confidentiality Protection, Loss of Documents cover, First Aid cover as well as Good Samaritan Acts. The indemnity limit is €4,000,000 per claim for the Republic of  Ireland. Unlike some other policies on the market, an unlimited number of claims may be made for any year and unlimited legal defence costs are also included. Also included, at no extra charge, is retroactive cover to pick up any previous insured work. Temporary cover abroad (excluding USA/Canada(although available on request)) is available with no time restrictions and at no additional premium as long as you are a UK/Ireland resident. If you cease to practice Balens include unlimited run off cover which means the policy will always be in place if a claim was made after you stop the policy running and this is also free of charge. For further information or proposal form, please contact Balens directly on 00441684 580771 or e-mail- info@balens.co.uk

Is this qualification accepted internationally ?

Yes. Graduates are free to offer their services worldwide. Some countries may require licencing prior to the use of needles. If you intend to offer Trigger Point Needling services in another country we advise that you check the regulations of that country to ascertain the legal status there.

Is this course validated by HETAC ? 

The National Qualification in Neuromuscular and Physical Therapy in common with all complementary therapy programmes of education is not validated by HETAC. The latest situation regarding validation of programmes in complementary therapies is available on the HETAC website at www.hetac.ie or by clicking here.

How long does this course last ?

The National Qualification in Trigger Point Needling consists of two weekend modules (Saturday and Sunday) with continual assessment throughout the course and a learner workbook which must be submitted on the last day of the course or within one month of completion. There will also be a practical examination on the second day of module 2. Please note that students cannot graduate until their learner workbook has been submitted.

How much does this course cost ?

The National Qualification in Trigger Point Needling costs €1,200.00. There are no additional fees for exams, needles, towels, course notes etc.

Can I pay by installments ?

No - There are no installment options available for this course.

Are there grants available to cover tuition fees ?

The National Training Centre is a FÁS approved training provider. National Training Centre’s approved Training Programmes and Trainers have been placed on the FÁS/EI National Register of Trainers.  The registration number of National Training Centre is 903336. Many of our students receive funding for part or all of their course fees through FÁS, the Department of Social Protection and local Employment and Development projects. Individual students must contact their local office to enquire about eligibility.

Do I have to participate in work experience ?

No. There is no requirement for work experience participation.

Where is this course available ?

The National Qualification in Trigger Point Needling is available at the National Training Centre in Dublin.

How will I be assessed ?

Students of the National Qualification in Trigger Point Needling are assessed through both written and practical examination at the end of each course and through the completion and submission of a learner workbook.

What age group participate on this course ?

Students of all ages participate on the National Qualification in Trigger Point Needling.

What is the success rate ?

Over 95% of students participating on the National Qualification in Trigger Point Needling will successfully complete all of their final examinations on the first attempt. Every individual's ability to succeed will be in direct proportion to the number of tutorials attended and the commitment and time and effort they are prepared to commit to their studies.

How much of the course is practical and how much is theory ?

The National Qualification in Trigger Point Needling is primarily practical with some theoretical aspects included to provide the knowledge required to back up the practical applications.