REGENERATIVE
DRY NEEDLING
About | Admission Standards | Courses | Schedules | Program Tuition | Apply | FAQs
ABOUT
IAR offers a uniquely superior dry needling course that is truly unmatched in the market. This course covers in depth the major theoretical models of dry needling including the mechanical trigger point, neurophysiological, and biomedical systemic models. The course details how each model can be individually adapted to the different pain states and soft tissue pathologies that present in the sports and orthopedic populations. The IAR dry needling course will also expose the clinician to various manual therapy techniques, including joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, and neural tissue mobilization, and how to effectively integrate these interventions within the realm of dry needling to truly enhance tissue regeneration and athletic performance. Upon completion of the course, the clinician will possess an extremely comprehensive intervention strategy that combines dry needling, manual therapy, and exercise prescription into an incomparable treatment model.
ADMISSION STANDARDS
All clinicians should be familiar with their state's current legislation and required contact hours on dry needling intervention prior to participating in the course.
Texas PT Association - 24 CCUs - LEVEL 1
Texas PT Association - 16 CCUs - LEVEL 2
IAR (BOC AP# P10127) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers. This program is eligible for a maximum of 24 / 16 Category A CEUs (L1 / L2). ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.
Eligibility:
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Physical Therapists
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Physical Therapy Assistants
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Occupational Therapists
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Athletic Trainers
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Chiropractors
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Medical Physicians
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Physician Assistants
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Nurse Practioners
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DPT Students (3rd Year)
SCHEDULE
New courses added regularly. Please check back for updated schedules.
HOST A COURSE
Are you interested in hosting an IAR Dry Needling course? Please Contact Us for information on clinic requirements and discounts for host employees.
COURSES
The IAR R-DN1 consists of 1 interactive online self study and 2 day dynamic on site lab module. The course covers the necessary foundational knowledge that is required for the safe and effective application of dry needling into clinical practice. Highlights of the this course include history and background, scope of practice/legislation, physiology and mechanics of DN, application principles, intramuscular e-stim, regional specific anatomy, and comprehensive dry needling intervention of the most common areas of spine, upper extremity, and lower extremity. This information will be covered in an efficient three day format that will effectively prepare the clinician to immediately use DN intervention with the most common pathologies for each body region seen in the sports and orthopedic populations.
Learning Objectives:
Identify the history and background of dry needling intervention.
Identify the tissue physiology and mechanics of dry needling.
Identify the principles of safe and effective dry needling application.
Identify the human anatomical indications and contraindications for dry needling application.
Be able to safely and effectively apply dry needles in the lumbar and pelvic region.
Be able to safely and effectively apply dry needles in the cervical and TMJ region.
Be able to safely and effectively apply dry needles in the shoulder complex and wrist/hand.
Be able to safely and effectively apply dry needles in the hip, leg, foot, and ankle region.
Course Schedule:
Online Self Study - Audio Presentation
Saturday: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday: 8:00am - 6:00pm
*end times are subjective to change depending on participant number and delivery of information
Areas Covered:
SPINE
Cervical
Lumbar/SIJ
TMJ
UPPER EXTREMITY
Shoulder Girdle
Elbow/Forearm
Wrist/Hand
LOWER EXTREMITY
Hip/Thigh
Lower Leg
Ankle/Foot
The IAR R-DN2 course will introduce dry needling techniques and application to unique and advanced areas of the spine, abdominal region, upper extremity, and lower extremity. The course will further progress the major theoretical models of dry needling into a specific diagnostic driven approach. The course will introduce needling patterns and treatment sequences used to effectively and efficiently address common pathologies seen in the athlete. This course will also introduce regenerative cupping techniques, fascial and superficial needling techniques, and discuss principles of joint mobilization and manipulation integration with dry needling. Learning Objectives:
Be able to safely and effectively apply dry needles in the thoracic and lung field.
Be able to safely and effectively apply dry needles in the anterior cervical and TMJ region.
Be able to safely and effectively apply dry needles in the posterior, lateral, and anterior abdominal region.
Be able to safely and effectively apply dry needles in the advanced areas of the upper and lower quarter.
Identify the principles of application and tissue physiology of vacuum therapy.
Be able to safely and effectively apply vacuum therapy to regions of the spine, upper, and lower quarter.
Be able to safely and effectively integrate joint mobilizations with dry needling and vacuum therapy.
Course Schedule:
Saturday: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
*end times are subjective to change depending on participant number and delivery of information
Areas Covered:
SPINE
Thoracic Spine
Intercostals
Anterior Cervical
Advanced TMJ
360 Abdominal
UPPER EXTREMITY
Anterior Shoulder
Periscapular
Distal Forearm
Wrist / Hand Intrinsics
LOWER EXTREMITY
Deep Hip Rotators
Posterior Knee
Foot / Foot Intrinsics
REGENERATIVE CUPPING / VACUUM THERAPY
Spine
Upper Quarter
Lower Quarter
PROGRAM PRICE
Cancellation & Refund Policy Individual Courses
Participant is eligible for a full refund minus 25% of administrative fees if participant cancels 30 days prior to the course date. Participant is not eligible for a refund if participant cancels less than 30 days prior to the course date. Participant is eligible to transfer all course fees to any future courses in a specific timeframe. Participants will receive a full transfer to another course or full refund if the course is cancelled by the program.
Register early to take advantage of individual course discounts!
Cancellation & Refund Policy for Bundled Courses
All SALES ARE FINAL. Each course must be taken within 1 year of original purchase date.
Level 1 must be taken before Level 2. No early registration discounts for bundled courses.
REVIEWS
Dry Needling Certification Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are there state-specific requirements for dry needling? A: Yes. Dry needling regulations vary by profession and by state. Some licensing boards outline specific educational or documentation expectations, while others emphasize clinician competence and professional judgment. Participants are responsible for confirming compliance with their respective licensing board before performing dry needling in clinical practice.
PLEASE EMAIL info@iareducation.com for answers to any questions you may have regarding our courses and state compliance.
Q: Is hands-on practice included? A: Yes. Hands-on application is a central component of the course. Participants complete supervised lab sessions focused on palpation, needle placement, safety considerations, and clinical integration to build confidence and technical skill.
Q: Who is eligible to take this course? A: This course is open to licensed healthcare professionals and advanced students who work with musculoskeletal and sports-related conditions, including physical therapists, athletic trainers, PTAs, occupational therapists, chiropractors, medical physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and DPT students in their final year.
Q: Do I need to complete dry needling courses within a specific timeframe? A: There is no required timeline for completing dry needling coursework. Clinicians may choose to take courses consecutively or space them out based on their schedule, learning style, and professional goals. This flexibility allows participants to integrate skills into practice at a pace that makes sense for them.
Q: Do I need to be licensed or practicing for a certain length of time before taking this course? A: No minimum practice duration is required to attend the course. That said, participants must meet eligibility requirements for their profession and should understand that the ability to apply dry needling clinically depends on their state and professional scope of practice.
Q: Can I take an advanced dry needling course if I’ve trained elsewhere? A: Dry needling education varies widely in theoretical framework, safety emphasis, and clinical application. Because of these differences, clinicians are encouraged to complete IAR’s full dry needling curriculum to ensure consistency in clinical reasoning, technique progression, and patient safety.
Q: How does IAR’s dry needling education approach differ conceptually? A: IAR’s approach emphasizes integration rather than isolated technique. The curriculum is built around clinical reasoning, anatomical precision, safety, and the thoughtful combination of dry needling with manual therapy, movement assessment, and exercise prescription. This allows clinicians to apply dry needling within a broader treatment strategy rather than as a standalone intervention.
Q: Will this course help me integrate dry needling into real clinical scenarios? A: Yes. Instruction is centered on clinical application, including patient selection, treatment sequencing, risk management, and informed consent. Case discussions and lab work are designed to mirror the complexity clinicians encounter in orthopedic and sports settings.
Q: What should I expect after completing the course? A: Participants typically leave with improved confidence in clinical decision-making, a stronger understanding of when and how to apply dry needling safely, and a clearer framework for integrating the technique into comprehensive treatment plans.
Q: What is the difference between Dry Needling Level I and Dry Needling Level II? A: Dry Needling Level I focuses on building a strong foundation in safe application, anatomical precision, and clinical reasoning. Clinicians learn core principles of dry needling, including palpation skills, needle handling, safety considerations, and integration with basic manual therapy and movement strategies for common orthopedic and sports-related presentations. Dry Needling Level II builds on that foundation by expanding clinical complexity. It emphasizes advanced regional applications, deeper clinical reasoning, and more nuanced integration with manual therapy, exercise prescription, and performance-based rehabilitation. Level II is designed for clinicians who are already comfortable with foundational dry needling concepts and want to refine decision-making, efficiency, and treatment progression in higher-demand cases.
Q: Do I need to complete Level I before taking Level II? A: Yes. Level II assumes proficiency with foundational concepts taught in Level I and is designed as a progression rather than a standalone course.
Q: What should I bring to the course? A: Participants typically receive preparation details prior to the course, including attire recommendations and any required materials. All core instructional equipment is provided.
Q: Where can I find upcoming courses and registration details? A: All upcoming locations, dates, and registration information are available on the main Dry Needling program page.
GALLERY
