Course description and Course objectives.

Our evidence-based Integrative Systemic Dry Needling course offered mechanism –based dry needling techniques for different types of myofascial pain and other musculoskeletal pain.

Myofascial pain can be categorized into four types: (1) trigger points (2) muscle spasm, (3) muscle tension, and (4) muscle deficiency. Each type of myofascial pain requires different dry needling techniques and possesses its own healing pattern.

To contact us:
Email: Ma@DryNeedlingCourse.com phone:303-516-0595

We are the one and only course that present an Integrative System to treat ALL types of myofascial pain, not only trigger point pain. The clinical experience and scientific research contradict this narrow approach – to concentrate at only one type of pain, while the others exist at the same time and at the same body.

ISDN incorporates:

• Biomedical acupuncture (a.k.a. dry needling) presents a systemic approach and explains the mechanism of Dry Needling and different techniques for ALL types of myofascial pain
• Myofasical trigger point techniques by Drs. Travell, Simon, and Baldrey
• Intramuscular stimulation (IMS) by Dr. C. Chan Gun

• We pay special attention to safety issues
• Please see Course Evaluation for additional information

  Course description

  Integrative Systemic Dry Needling (ISDN) is a new medical modality that is a systemic integration of Dr. Janet Travell Trigger Point technique, Dr. C.C. Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation technique (IMS), and presentation of neuro-physiological mechanism of dry needling combined with systemic peripheral neural reflexes by Dr. Yun-tao Ma.

  Dry needling technique rebalances physiology of soft tissues by inoculating micro-lesions into the dysfunctional soft tissues. This procedure activates neural reflexes at different levels from local soft tissues to brain stem and hypothalamus to restore homeostasis of entire body that accelerates self-healing of the pathologically challenged soft tissues.

  Course objective

  After completing the course, you will acquire the following background and clinical techniques:

  1. Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of dry needling;
  2. Clinical techniques and skills of using needling for treating soft tissue pain and other soft tissue dysfunctions:
     • Inflammation
     • contracture and shortening of soft tissues
     • microcirculatory deficiency
     • adhesion of different soft tissue layers
     • formation of scar tissues
     • imbalance of biomechanics of musculoskeletal system 

     3. Practical safety skills

     The course is presented with proprietary Power Point slides by Dr. Yun-tao Ma. An accompanying manual will be issued to each attendee. Attendees will have to pass a practical examination. After successful completion of the course, attendees will receive a certificate of completion.

  Integrative Systemic Dry Needling significantly improves efficacy of physical medicine

Both external injuries and internal diseases affect the physiology and mechanical balance of the neuromusculoskeletal system.  Neuromusculoskeletal system imbalance causes or is caused by dysfunction of soft tissues. Research by Johns Hopkins University shows that manual therapy could be significantly more effective if soft tissue dysfunction is treated first. All malfunction of the musculoskeletal system in fact is related or directly caused by soft tissue dysfunction like nerves, muscles, fascia, tendon and ligament. 

Integrative Systemic Dry Needling is the new technique that organically combines different disciplines of medical fields representing a new medical modality. ISDN technique applies both analytical and synthetic approaches. In other words, ISDN treats both localized symptoms and systemic symptoms.

Required reading

Biomedical Acupuncture for Pain Management
Yun-tao Ma, Mila Ma, Zang Hee Cho, Elsevier, 2005

New textbook by Yun-tao Ma Dry Needling for Sports Medicine and Trauma Rehabilitation, will be published by Elsevier , 2009
Course Manual (will be provided during the course)

Suggested reading:

Travell & Simon’s Myofascial Pain and dysfunction: The trigger point manual. 2nd ed., Lippincott  Williams & Wilkins, 1999.

Gunn Approach to the Treatment of Chronic Pain: Intramuscular  Stimulation for Myofascial Pain of Radiculopathic Origin. Churchill Livingstone, 1996.