Trigger Point Dry Needling - Shoulder Masterclass

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The course is designed for Physiotherapists (PT's), MDs, ATC, DO, DC
Duration of the Course 8 hours

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Course Outline

Upper limb tasks and activities require complex coordinated movements of the cervical-thoracic- scapular, shoulder and upper limb. Prevalence of shoulder pain is high. It is not surprising that shoulder pain and dysfunction is one of the most common presentations in musculoskeletal physiotherapy clinics.

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Myofascial pain is one of the most common presentations in shoulder pain especially in relation to the weak and painful shoulder, with referral often mimicking or coexisting with rotator cuff or subacromial pain syndrome type presentations. Weakness and low fatigue resistance is one of the considered mechanisms for the precipitation of myofascial pain.

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There are many muscles that refer pain and inhibit strength of the shoulder complex. Knowledge and assessment of these muscles is important in the management of shoulder pain, both in the sporting and general population.

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This course will review the muscles of the shoulder complex that are commonly involved in shoulder pain. Will be in expert review of both manual palpation and dry needling technique for the management of myofascial shoulder pain.

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This course will improve your expertise, safety and evidence informed application of myofascial therapy and dry needling for people which shoulder pain.

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Recent evidence supports DN in shoulder conditions for improving quality of life, function, and reducing cost.  

Course Contents

This course will develop and integrate your clinical and dry needling skills to optimise the treatment of shoulder pain. An emphasis will be placed on evidenced-informed high-quality safe needling techniques. The course is practically based. Pre-course material will review relevant aspects to prepare you for the practical elements of the course.

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This course meets the criteria for CPD for the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists Guidelines for Dry Needling 2012

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1. Shoulder review

2. Differential diagnosis

3. Shoulder muscle pain, brief relevance & science of TrPs

4. Evidence for DN & the shoulder etc

5. The weak and painful shoulder / the stiff and painful shoulder

 

Practical elements

1. Length testing: sleeper stretch (infra/post capsule) / external rotation (subscap/ant capsule) length tests

2. Muscle strength testing of the rotator cuff/trap/serratus ant

3. Muscle palpation

4. Trigger point dry needling of 13 muscles with clinical relevancy

 

Background References 

1. Trigger points of the shoulder – McEvoy & Dommerholt (2011) from Donatelli Physical Therapy of the Shoulder

2. Therapeutic exercises for the shoulder region – McEvoy, O’Sullivan, Bron (2011 & 2016) Manual therapy for musculoskeletal pain syndromes

3. The Sporting Shoulder & TrPs: various presentations including lecture talk for 2013 Glasgow; USA 2016

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Notice:

Dry needling is within the scope of practice for Chartered Physiotherapists and HSE within Ireland. MISCP's need to follow the 2012 ISCP Dry Needling Guidelines for Dry Needling. This course is cognisant of the 2012 Guidelines and Johnson was the lead project manager for the guideline development. 

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If you plan to work abroad, we advise you that you familiarize yourself with the relevant regulatory requirements of a specific country including you also make sure that Dry Needling is included in your professional liability insurance.

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For any other profession within Ireland, we advise you to contact your professional body.