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Overview Dry Needling Program by Structure & Function Education

All Dry Needling courses in the Structure & Function Education Dry Needling (SFDN) program are developed by Sue Falsone PT, MS, SCS, ATC, CSCS, COMT, RYT. Current science and research will be presented, along with a vast amount of clinical experience and pearls Sue has gained from holding positions such as Head Athletic Trainer of the LA Dodgers and Head Athletic Trainer of the US Men’s National Soccer Team, allowing immediate application into the clinicians’ professional practice. Classes are taught throughout the country and registration to these courses is limited.

The dry needling courses are split into two three types of courses. Foundation courses, Independent Study courses, and Advanced courses. Practitioners trained by Structure & Function Education can become certified by SFE certification program showing that they have obtained knowledge and skills above and beyond the minimum requirements found in most state practice acts.

Foundation Dry Needling Courses

The Foundation Dry Needling courses are the beginner courses where new students start. We offer three courses at this level.

  • Foundations in Dry Needling for Orthopedic Rehab and Sport Performance (SFDN1)
  • Foundations in Dry Needling for Upper Extremity Orthopedic Rehab (SFDN-UE)
  • Anatomical Dissection (SFDN-AD)

For More Information jump to the class summaries below.

Advanced Dry Needling Courses

The Advanced Dry Needling courses all require a student to have taken and passed the SFDN1 course. Advanced courses further develop the skills learned in SFDN1 and lead a practitioner to Structure & Function Education’s Dry Needling Certification Program.

  • Advanced Dry Needling for Orthopedic Rehab and Sport Performance (SFDN2)
  • Comprehensive Approach to the Cervical and Thoracic Spine (SFDN-CTS)
  • Comprehensive Approach to the Lumbo-Pelvic-Hip Complex (SFDN-LPH)
  • Advanced Dry Needling Concepts for Pelvic Floor Health (SFDN-PFH)

For more Information jump to the class summaries below.

Independent Study Courses

Independent Study courses are offered as part of our online education series. These courses dive into specific topics related to dry needling, that will deepen and expand your understanding and application of dry needling in a specific way. While you do not need dry needling experience to take these courses, please be aware these course were intended for those who already have this tool in their practice.

Disclaimer

These courses DO NOT teach you needle specific techniques or specific needle application, nor is it a substitute for in-person dry needling instruction. It is a theoretical discussion with practical application for those who already have needling experience, or for those who would generally like to learn about dry needling.

Disclaimer

These courses DO NOT satisfy state requirements to allow you to practice dry needling, if dry needling is not already within your scope of practice. It is for continuing education purposes only. Please refer to your state practice act for rules and regulations to practice dry needling in your state, according to your health care license.

Newest Online Classes

Certification Program

It is important to note there is no universal dry needling certification program in the US. The Structure & Function Education Dry Needling Certification Program developed by Sue Falsone looks to recognize individuals dedicated to improving their expertise in dry needling, specifically within the S&F framework of the Pentamodal Method.

A certificate in S&F’s Education Dry Needling program represents a practitioner’s commitment to continuing education in specialized training and applying the S&F’s Pentamodal Method of dry needling into their patient practice. The certified practitioner has completed at least 72 hours of education, completed our needling competency exams, presented and written a clinical case study based on the S&F Pentamodel Method from their patient population.

For more information see the certification information page.

Foundation Courses

Foundations in Dry Needling for Orthopedic Rehab and Sport Performance

In this 27-hour lab-based course, the clinician will learn a diagnosis-focused approach to dry needling. The clinician will learn fundamental skills necessary for safe and proper needle insertion and removal, as well as effective strategies to manage commonly encountered pathologies in orthopedic and sport rehabilitation.


Foundations in Dry Needling for Upper Extremity Orthopedic Rehab

In this 27-hour lab-based course, the clinician will learn a diagnosis-focused approach to dry needling the upper extremity. The clinician will learn fundamental skills necessary for safe and proper needle insertion and removal, as well as effective strategies to manage commonly encountered pathologies in the upper extremity.


Anatomical Dissection

In this 3.5 day, 25-hour lab-based course, you will have the opportunity to dissect and explore the human anatomy via fresh-frozen tissue cadavers. This is a full body dissection opportunity. The cadavers are not embalmed, which allows for a more realistic appreciation of tissue quality and fascial connections.

Please Note

This is an advanced anatomy experience for those with a foundational understanding of anatomy.  You do not have to have dry needling experience to take this course.  Understand that you will NOT emerge from this class with any foundational knowledge on how to dry needle, nor does this course satisfy any state requirement to practice dry needling.  It is meant to deepen your understanding of anatomy, which will enhance bother your needling and non-needling practice. 

Advanced Courses

Advanced Dry Needling for Orthopedic Rehab and Sport Performance

In this 27-hour lab-based course, the clinician will learn a diagnosis-focused approach to dry needling the upper extremity. The clinician will learn fundamental skills necessary for safe and proper needle insertion and removal, as well as effective strategies to manage commonly encountered pathologies in the upper extremity.


Comprehensive Approach to the Cervical and Thoracic Spine

In this 16 hour lab-based course, the clinician will learn how to integrate dry needling techniques with a manual therapy focused approach to address movement impairments of the cervical spine and thoracic spine. Emphasis will be placed on specific advanced dry needling strategies that facilitate manual therapy to improve dysfunction of the cervical and thoracic spine.


Comprehensive Approach to the Lumbo-Pelvic-Hip Complex

In this 16 hour lab-based course, the clinician will learn a diagnosis-focused approach to the Lumbo-Pelvic- Hip Complex with the addition of specific advanced Dry Needling strategies for the pelvic floor, coccyx, symphysis pubis, hip joint, sacroiliac ligaments, and regional nerves.


Comprehensive Approach to Pelvic Floor Health

In this 16 hour lab-based course, the clinician will learn both diagnosis-based and symptomatic approaches to management of pelvic health disorders in men and women. Dry needling strategies are presented that have shown favorable clinical outcomes in patients with urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, vulvodynia, constipation and regional nerve involvement.

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