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Courses and Workshops

Dry Needling Physiotherapy Level 1 - Part B

Physiotherapists are increasingly using dry needling for pain management and thereby improving function in conjunction with other physiotherapy approaches. This structured course meets the national APA and AHPRA recommendations for physiotherapists to practice dry needling safely for musculoskeletal conditions and sports injuries.

The sound knowledge of indications and contraindications for dry needling requires appropriate assessment and treatment skills. This course is designed to provide physiotherapists an opportunity to improve knowledge and skills of dry needling, and make them aware of guidelines for safe dry needling practices in a range of musculoskeletal conditions.

The Dry Needling Physiotherapy Level 1 course consists of two separate parts:

  • Part A consists of seven recorded lectures and is self-paced online learning. On completion of Part A, participants will have a good knowledge of the theory, research and safety considerations of dry needling. Part A is a pre-requisite for the Part B face-to-face practical course. It is also valuable as refresher training or CPD.
  • Part B face to face, practical course. This course will assume the knowledge gained from Part A. Through group discussion, presentations and a written theory evaluation during the practical, this course will ensure participants can safely needle a range of body areas and conditions.

A visual representation of the structure of this course can be found in this diagram.


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Learning outcomes

  • Part A - Describe the history and theories of dry needling
  • Part A - Explain the different approaches and indications of dry needling
  • Part A - Identify the difference between acupuncture and dry needling approaches
  • Part A - Explain the research evidence specific to dry needling
  • Part B - Effectively practice infection control in relation to dry needling
  • Part A - Identify the safety considerations including documented side effects relating to dry needling
  • Part A - Describe the precautions and contraindications for dry needling, in order to evaluate patient's suitability for dry needling
  • Part B - Safely dry needle for a range of musculoskeletal conditions
  • Part B - Apply clinical reasoning in the assessment and treatment of conditions using a dry needling approach

Prerequisites

Presenters

Peter Selvaratnam AM


Dr Peter Selvaratnam is a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, an Associate Clinical Professor at The University of Melbourne and a Visiting Lecturer at La Trobe University. Peter is the Principal at the Melbourne Spinal and Sports Medicine Clinic, the Headache Centre of Victoria, the Laser Pain Clinic Australia and runs educational programmes for Backtolife. Peter initially studied acupuncture in Sri Lanka. He subsequently commenced the Level 1 Dry Needling programme for the APA in 2004 and now teaches dry needling for the APA Level 1 courses and previously for The University of Melbourne Masters and Clinical doctoral programme. Peter was the inaugural Chairperson for the Victorian ADNG in 2007 and was the national ADNG representative for Victoria. Peter was an invited speaker for the APA winter breakfast on the application of dry needling in patients with chronic low back pain, sciatic nerve conditions and sympathetic nervous system mediated pain. Peter has a PhD in Medicine in Functional Anatomy of the cervical spine and the upper limb neurodynamic tests in patients with sports injuries, musculoskeletal conditions and in post-mortem cadavers.

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Home address:
Courses and Workshops
31
Sat 31 Oct
- Sun 01 Nov
08:30AM - 05:00PM AEST
Building 6, Unit C , 2728 Logan Road
Eight Mile Plains QLD 4113 View map
Price:
Non Member: $1,430.00
APA Member: $981.00
Distance Discount: $921.00
Acupuncture and Dry Needling Group: $921.00
Registration closing date:
10 Oct 2026
Event status:
Closed
CPD hours:
16.00
* Early bird prices close 8 weeks prior to the course start date
Your registration status:
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At a glance
Price:
1,430.00: $Non Member
981.00: $APA Member
921.00: $Distance Discount
921.00: $Acupuncture and Dry Needling Group
Registration closing date:
10 Oct 2026
Event status:
Closed
CPD hours:
16.00
* Early bird prices close 8 weeks prior to the course start date
Your registration status:
Presenters

Peter Selvaratnam AM


Dr Peter Selvaratnam is a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, an Associate Clinical Professor at The University of Melbourne and a Visiting Lecturer at La Trobe University. Peter is the Principal at the Melbourne Spinal and Sports Medicine Clinic, the Headache Centre of Victoria, the Laser Pain Clinic Australia and runs educational programmes for Backtolife. Peter initially studied acupuncture in Sri Lanka. He subsequently commenced the Level 1 Dry Needling programme for the APA in 2004 and now teaches dry needling for the APA Level 1 courses and previously for The University of Melbourne Masters and Clinical doctoral programme. Peter was the inaugural Chairperson for the Victorian ADNG in 2007 and was the national ADNG representative for Victoria. Peter was an invited speaker for the APA winter breakfast on the application of dry needling in patients with chronic low back pain, sciatic nerve conditions and sympathetic nervous system mediated pain. Peter has a PhD in Medicine in Functional Anatomy of the cervical spine and the upper limb neurodynamic tests in patients with sports injuries, musculoskeletal conditions and in post-mortem cadavers.


Learning outcomes
  • Part A - Describe the history and theories of dry needling
  • Part A - Explain the different approaches and indications of dry needling
  • Part A - Identify the difference between acupuncture and dry needling approaches
  • Part A - Explain the research evidence specific to dry needling
  • Part B - Effectively practice infection control in relation to dry needling
  • Part A - Identify the safety considerations including documented side effects relating to dry needling
  • Part A - Describe the precautions and contraindications for dry needling, in order to evaluate patient's suitability for dry needling
  • Part B - Safely dry needle for a range of musculoskeletal conditions
  • Part B - Apply clinical reasoning in the assessment and treatment of conditions using a dry needling approach
Prerequisites

Prerequisites

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