Acupuncture & Dry Needling Courses
for Sports Therapists

it is becoming increasingly common for sports therapists to use both acupuncture and dry needling as part of their treatment offerings. These complementary techniques are gaining recognition for their effectiveness in managing pain, improving muscle function, and supporting the recovery of athletes and active individuals. The growing interest in holistic and integrative approaches to sports therapy has led to more sports therapists pursuing training and certification in acupuncture and dry needling.

Acupuncture and dry needling offer targeted pain relief and muscle relaxation, making them valuable tools in the sports therapy toolbox. These techniques can enhance the overall treatment plan for sports-related injuries and conditions, helping athletes and active individuals recover more effectively. As a result, sports therapists are increasingly incorporating both acupuncture and dry needling into their practices to provide a more comprehensive and patient-centered approach to care.

Sports therapists can use acupuncture and dry needling as part of their usual practice after completing our Foundation Acupuncture & Dry Needling Course. Once completed, you will be able to use acupuncture and dry needling as part of your practice safely, confidently and effectively.

Yes, absolutely! Our courses are designed for beginners with no prior acupuncture or dry needling experience. Almost all learners on our are starting from scratch, and our expert tutors guide you through every step to ensure you feel confident and competent.

No, a degree is not required to perform acupuncture as a sports therapist in the UK. Our Foundation Course meets and surpasses the requirements needed to use acupuncture and dry needling as part of your day-to-day practice.

Acupuncture and dry needling can complement sports therapy in several ways, offering a more comprehensive approach to athlete care and injury management:

1. Pain Management: Acupuncture and dry needling are highly effective in managing pain associated with sports injuries. They can provide targeted pain relief, helping athletes recover more comfortably.
2. Muscle Relaxation: Both techniques can relax tense muscles, reduce muscle spasms, and improve muscle flexibility, which is essential for athletes looking to regain their full range of motion and function.
3. Enhanced Healing: Acupuncture and dry needling can enhance blood circulation to injured areas, promoting tissue healing and reducing inflammation, which is crucial for faster recovery.
4. Improved Mobility: By alleviating muscle tension and addressing trigger points, these techniques can help athletes regain their mobility and range of motion more quickly.
5. Complementary Treatment: Acupuncture and dry needling can complement other sports therapy interventions, such as manual therapy, stretching, and rehabilitative exercises, to provide a more well-rounded approach to recovery.
6. Stress Reduction: Sports therapy can be physically and mentally demanding. Acupuncture has a calming and stress-reducing effect, helping athletes manage the psychological aspects of their recovery.
7. Faster Recovery: The overall effect of these complementary techniques is often faster recovery times and better outcomes for athletes, allowing them to return to their sport sooner.
8. Preventing Recurrence: Acupuncture and dry needling can address underlying imbalances that may contribute to injuries, potentially reducing the risk of future injuries.

Our Foundation Course equips you to integrate acupuncture and dry needling into your practice with confidence. Rather than following set protocols, you’ll develop the skills to assess and treat a range of conditions, including acute and chronic pain, stress, anxiety, fatigue, and common women’s health concerns. You’ll also have the flexibility to explore additional acupuncture points beyond those taught in the course, provided your treatment is clinically reasoned. With the right insurance and local licensing in place, you’ll be fully prepared to put your new skills into practice.

Yes, you’ll need appropriate insurance and a local council licence to practise acupuncture and dry needling after completing your course. The exact requirements depend on your location and professional background, but don’t worry – we provide guidance on this topic during the course.

Since regulations vary by location and we’re not registered with the FSA, we can’t provide specific advice on insurance or licensing. However, we do signpost key considerations to help you navigate these requirements. Our goal is to make the process easier by guiding you towards the right resources so you can confidently take the next steps in setting up your practice.

Choosing the right acupuncture and dry needling course is key to developing real confidence and skill.

Here’s what makes Breeze Academy the go-to choice for sports therapists looking for acupuncture and dry needling training:

• Expert-led training with a global reputation: Our courses are expertly curated and delivered by Dr. Carl Clarkson and his team of enthusiastic needling tutors. With a strong academic background, including MSc and PhD qualifications, we bring decades of real-world experience to every course.

• A hands-on learning experience: We blend the latest research with practical, clinically relevant teaching, so you can start applying your skills with confidence from day one.

• Triple-locked quality assurance: Our training is fully accredited and rigorously quality assured, ensuring you receive the very best in acupuncture and dry needling education.

• A unique blend of online and face-to-face learning: Gain access to high-quality online content before and after your in-person training, allowing you to pause, replay, and revisit key concepts at your own pace.

• Courses across the UK and beyond: We run courses in every major UK city and deliver acupuncture and dry needling training globally, making it easy to find a course that fits your schedule.

• Comprehensive support every step of the way: From booking to certification, we ensure you feel confident and well-supported in your learning journey.

• Highly rated by sports therapists like you: Our courses are consistently rated five stars, with many attendees joining us through recommendations from past learners.

If you’re looking for world-class training that blends expert instruction with hands-on practice, Breeze Academy is the right choice for you, your career, and the clients that you work with.

Typically, our foundation level acupuncture and dry needling courses take sports therapists around two to three months to complete. The online component of the course can be completed in your own time, at your own pace, whilst the in-person workshop is conducted across three days.

Following the foundation course, sports therapists may decide to advance their training further through one of our online or in-person CPD training courses.

Dry needling can be beneficial in some cases of ligament damage, but its effectiveness largely depends on the specific nature and severity of the injury. Dry needling primarily targets trigger points within muscles and fascia to alleviate muscle tension and pain. While it may not directly repair ligament damage, it can provide several potential benefits in cases of ligament injuries:

1. Pain Management: Dry needling can help manage pain associated with ligament damage. By targeting trigger points, it can reduce muscle tension and alleviate pain, making the patient more comfortable during the recovery process.
2. Improved Mobility: Alleviating muscle tension through dry needling can enhance joint and muscle flexibility, which can be particularly useful when recovering from a ligament injury.
3. Complementary Therapy: Dry needling is often used as a complementary therapy alongside other treatments, such as physical therapy or rehabilitative exercises, to support the overall recovery process.
4. Enhanced Rehabilitation: Dry needling can be integrated into a comprehensive rehabilitation plan to help patients regain muscle strength and function around the injured ligament.