Objectif de la formation

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

1. Knows basic terminology.
   • List the different histochemicals identified as being present in an active myofascial trigger point. (Cognitive: Knowledge)
   • List the differences between an active and latent myofascial trigger point. (Cognitive: Knowledge)

2. Understands theory.
   • Explain the major tenets of each trigger point dry needling theoretical model. (Cognitive: Comprehension)
   • Identify the differences between sympathetic, central and peripheral pain mechanisms that are considered with trigger point dry needling. (Cognitive: Analysis)

3. Apply principles.
   • Uses principles of pain science and trigger point dry needling as intervention in selected mock patient case studies. (Cognitive: Application)

4. Evaluate ideas.
   • Appraise the appropriateness for trigger point dry needling through subjective and objective presentation in mock patient case studies. (Cognitive: Evaluation)

5. Demonstrate awareness of presentation.
   • Acknowledge the precautions and/or contraindications in a case presentation when considering trigger point dry needling. (Affective: Receiving)
   • Contribute to class discussion of mock patient case studies. (Affective: Responding)

6. Demonstrate psychomotor skills.
   • Detect active and latent trigger points through digital palpation. (Psychomotor: Perception)
   • Practice under supervision of course instructor trigger point dry needling of muscles presented during the course. (Psychomotor: Guided Response)
   • Demonstrate safe application of trigger point dry needling to the upper trapezius as demonstrated by course instructor. (Psychomotor: Mechanism)
   • Proceed through identification of target muscle, patient set up, use of clean needle technique, and treatment of target muscle without cuing. (Psychomotor: Complex Overt Response)

Contact/Credit Hours: 24 hours

Teaching Questions:

1. Can participants cite literature in support of the existence of myofascial trigger points and the subsequent treatment using DN when explaining procedure to potential patients?
2. Can participants cite contraindications and precautions to selecting DN as a potential treatment?
3. Can participants cite anatomically specific risks or precautions to performing DN to each region of the body covered?
4. Can participants demonstrate clean needle technique?
5. Can participants pass the lab practical competency assessment?

Methods of Evaluation:

1. Lab practical competency examination: During the practical examination a brief case will be presented with a muscle identified to be treated with DN.  Each participant will be expected to review relevant anatomical considerations in the area, cite any precautions from the case, demonstrate clean needle technique and treat the identified muscle with appropriate length needle and needle direction.
2. Course evaluation: A summative course evaluation will be completed by each clinician anonymously, rating the overall quality of the course content, course instruction and making suggestions for course improvement.

Course Policies:

Participants must review and consider a waiver of liability prior to initiating any of the laboratory activities.  If any specific condition exists that would preclude a participant from receiving DN, they must inform both the instructor, lab assistants and their lab partner.