Medical Acupuncture & Dry Needling Course (Foundation Level)

Skill level: BeginnerCPD hours: 3 days
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Course details

  • The UK's leading acupuncture & dry needling education provider
  • Globally trusted acupuncture and dry needling team of tutors
  • Over 10 years teaching experience worldwide
  • Consistently rated 5-star by healthcare professionals
  • Clinical reasoning at the heart of delivery
  • Fully accredited by the FHT
  • Courses in every major UK city
  • Triple-locked quality assurance
  • Governing body compliant
  • If you prefer, pay over three months

If you don't hit our entry requirements, head here for our entry level acupuncture course instead.

Like to try before you buy?

Try an online module of this course for free.

Where our delegates work

Ramsay Health Care Logo
Neural Pathways Logo
NHS Logo
Sano Physiotherapy Logo
Nuffield Health Logo

Route A: Are currently a regulated healthcare professional, or a final year student, where the degree included Musculoskeletal anatomy at level 4. This includes Doctors, Dentists, Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Sports Rehabilitators, Sports Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Nurses, Midwives, Podiatrists

Route B: If you are not currently a regulated healthcare professional, we require that you meet all of the following:

  • Your existing therapy qualification contained musculoskeletal anatomy to level 4 (which included identification and palpation of musculoskeletal structures)
  • You are a practicing therapist, which involves assessing and treating common Musculoskeletal conditions
  • You agree to sign up to the Breeze Academy register

An example of a Route B therapist would be a Level 4 Sports Massage therapist

Route C: For those Therapists who do not have level 4 anatomy, and / or do not currently assess and treat musculoskeletal conditions, we offer an Entry Level Acupuncture Course.

This foundation course has a global reputation and has cemented Breeze Academy as one of the leading providers of western medical acupuncture and dry needling training worldwide. Delivered by Carl, Claire, Nikki, Helen, Chelsey and Lynn, the course consists of a unique blend of online and face-to-face teaching.

Once successfully completed, we ensure that our foundation course delegates can use medical acupuncture and dry needling as part of their everyday practice safely, confidently and effectively.

Any questions about this course or any other, please get in touch directly to our email: [email protected]. You can also book directly on this page.

In this foundation course, you will receive a fully evidence-based approach to the implementation of medical acupuncture and dry needling, allowing you to make fully informed decisions on how and when to introduce acupuncture and dry needling into a client’s care package.

As part of our evidence-based approach, you will discover the large body of prominent, pertinent and up-to-date evidence supporting the use of acupuncture and dry needling, whilst developing your needling skills to provide dramatic results for your clients, offering them a comprehensive package of pain relief and wellbeing.

More specifically, after completing our medical acupuncture and dry needling foundation course you will be able to demonstrate the following needling skills and theoretical knowledge:

  • Effective needling techniques upon the four limbs, trunk and spine, head and face
  • Suitable identification of prominent and commonly used acupoints
  • An understanding of contraindications, precautions and potential side effects of acupuncture and dry needling
  • Safe application of needling at all times
  • Effective management of needling side effects

After you graduate, you will be able to use acupuncture and dry needling as part of your everyday practice safely, confidently and effectively.

With theoretical knowledge and application reviewed from both a Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, this foundation course takes you through a large number of applications and techniques, allowing you to confidently apply acupuncture and dry needling for the treatment of:

  • Acute or persistent pain, anywhere in the body
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Overactive bladder
  • Hot flushes/flashes
  • General wellbeing

Not only are we experts in the field of western medical acupuncture and dry needling, but we’re also experts at delivering exceptional educational experiences. We know exactly what healthcare professionals need, and want, in order to maximise their learning experience and to feel confident, safe and effective in using needling as part of their clinical practice as soon as they complete the course.

As soon as you book, you’ll be given access to our online acupuncture and dry needling training platform where you’ll be required to complete a series of modules prior to the face-to-face training component of the course. We’ve proudly put together the very best in online acupuncture and dry needling training to guarantee that course delegates feel ready and confident before attending face-to-face training, whilst also providing them with the option to revisit learning in a much more meaningful and engaging format both during and after the course*.

Our foundation courses are fun, practical and engaging, and have clinical reasoning at the heart of delivery, meaning that you’ll be able to apply your learning into case scenarios immediately. Furthermore, you’ll feel confident to apply acupuncture and dry needling from day one, meaning you get to put your learning into real situations right away.

*Access to online content available until 1 month after the face-to-face element. You gain access to Part 2 and your final assessment after the face-to-face workshop (providing you have paid the full course fee).

Are you looking to learn a new treatment option, enhance your clinical skills, advance your career, complete valuable CPD hours and offer your clients more? Then this course is exactly what you’ve been looking for.

In terms of clinical background, we have had the pleasure of teaching a large range of professions across the last 10 years, including (but not limited to):

  • Physiotherapists
  • Osteopaths
  • Chiropractors
  • Sports Therapists
  • Physicians
  • Nurses
  • Dentists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Podiatrists
  • Level 4 Sports Massage Therapists

Rest assured we have the experience and technical know-how to put you, the learner, first and ensure that course materials, case studies and practical elements reflect your specific day-to-day practice.

Clients love it, therapists love it, and you will love it. Here are just a few compelling reasons why you should incorporate acupuncture and dry needling into your clinical practice:

  1. Holistic Healing: Acupuncture and dry needling provide holistic approaches to health, addressing both physical and emotional well-being.

  2. Pain Management: Acquiring these skills allows you to effectively manage pain conditions, offering patients non-pharmacological alternatives.

  3. Versatility: Acupuncture and dry needling techniques are versatile and can be integrated into various healthcare practices, expanding your scope of expertise.

  4. Enhanced Patient Care: By mastering these techniques, you can provide more comprehensive and patient-centred care, addressing a wide range of health concerns.

  5. Career Advancement: Acquiring expertise in acupuncture and dry needling can open new career opportunities and enhance your marketability in the healthcare industry.

  6. Complementary Therapies: These techniques complement other healthcare modalities, allowing you to offer integrated and well-rounded treatment options to your patients.

  7. Non-Invasive Approaches: Acupuncture and dry needling are non-invasive and drug-free, appealing to patients seeking natural and minimally discomforting treatments.

  8. Evidence-Based Practice: Learning these techniques equips you with evidence-based practices, staying current with advancements in the field of complementary medicine.

  9. Personal Development: Acquiring new skills in acupuncture and dry needling contributes to your personal and professional development, fostering a lifelong commitment to learning.

  10. Patient Satisfaction: The ability to offer acupuncture and dry needling can lead to increased patient satisfaction, as these techniques are well-regarded for their positive impact on various health conditions.

  11. Growing Demand: As more individuals seek holistic and non-invasive healthcare options, the demand for practitioners skilled in acupuncture and dry needling continues to grow.

Ultimately, acquiring knowledge in acupuncture and dry needling equips you with valuable tools to contribute to the well-being of your patients while advancing your own professional growth and fulfilment.

We deliver medical acupuncture and dry needling courses across the globe, and have courses running in every major city in the UK. We are triple-locked quality assured, meaning you can be confident that we offer the very best in education.

Our History, Heritage & Global Reputation

Expertly curated and delivered by Dr. Carl Clarkson and his team of enthusiastic needling tutors, our courses strive to put the learner at the centre of everything we do. We have a rich education and academic background, including MSc, PhD and countless hours delivering exceptional quality learning experiences across the globe.

Our Unique Blend Of Online & Face To Face

Carefully curated online content, both before and after the face-to-face component, allows you access to high quality education whenever and wherever you want – pause, replay and rewind to your heart’s content. We provide the very best in online acupuncture and dry needling training to guarantee that course delegates feel ready and confident when attending their face-to-face training, whilst also providing them with the option to revisit learning in a much more meaningful and engaging format during and after the course.

Our Exceptional Five-Star Course Reviews

We’re passionate about acupuncture and dry needling, and passionate about delivering exceptional educational experiences. Reflecting this, our acupuncture and dry needling foundation course is consistently rated five-stars and has fantastic reviews. In fact, the majority of our bookings are via recommendations from past attendees! Check out there reviews here.

Our Fully Evidence-Based Approach

We combine the latest research with practical, clinically relevant teaching to ensure you receive a fully evidence-based approach to the implementation of acupuncture and dry needling. This medical acupuncture and dry needling foundation course has clinical reasoning at the heart of delivery, making sure that you’re able to make fully informed decisions on how and when to introduce acupuncture and dry needling into a client’s care package.

In line with common standards of acupuncture and dry needling education, there will be a safety test to complete prior to the face-to-face workshop, a practical safety test completed during the face-to-face workshop, and then theoretical case studies with short MCQs completed in Part 2 (which you gain access to once you have completed your face-to-face workshop and have paid for the course in full).

We’re with you every step of the way. As soon as you book, you’ll gain access to our online portal, meaning you can start learning immediately. In addition, our team of tutors and learner support team are easily accessible, and happy to help in any way we can.

Close to the face-to-face workshop, we will be in touch with the finer details associated with start times, parking and other points to note.

We proudly provide triple-locked quality assurance through our full FHT accreditation, as well as Breeze Academy and external moderator approvals, thus providing you with the confidence that our medical acupuncture and dry needling foundation course is vetted above and beyond the industry standard and meets the highest standards set in education.

On completion, you will be eligible to gain insurance cover and be able to practice acupuncture and dry needling as part of your usual practice. Members of professional bodies that include acupuncture as part of their insurance, such as the CSP, will not be required to take out additional insurance.

We are pleased to offer you the option of paying for the course up front, or over 3 months (at no extra cost). However, in order to receive your certificate, you must have paid the course fee in full.

If you have opted for instalments, you will be able to attend the face-to-face workshop, but you will not receive your certificate until all payments have been made (you have the option of paying off your remaining balance at any time).

We’re happy to provide you with 10 days access to a free taster course. This taster course includes a small number of lessons from the full course, helping you to get a flavour for how we do things. Check out the free taster course.

One reason that Breeze Academy stands out amongst health and wellness education providers is our commitment to making education accessible to as many people as possible. We can do this through harnessing the very best of our online platform, reducing the need to attend multiple days of face-to-face lessons, saving our learners £££'s in travel and time away from work.

On top of this, we also travel the globe to bring our face-to-face content to your doorstep. So, if you have a space that could accommodate up to 15 people, please get in touch and we can get a course booked in at your place of work or university! Reach out via our contact form or on [email protected] (we respond to all queries, usually within the hour).

If you've checked over the course information but still have some questions, please get in touch via our contact form or on [email protected] (we respond to all queries, usually within the hour).

Acupuncture Training Course Practical Session
Dry Needling Training Course Session
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Course Students
Dry Needling Training Course Practical Session
Medical Acupuncture & Dry Needling CPD Course
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Course Group Training
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Training Course Practical Demonstration
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Group Training
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Training Course Students
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Course Attendees
Medical Acupuncture & Dry Needling Course
Medical Acupuncture & Dry Needling Training Course
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Course Attendees
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Practical Demonstration
Acupuncture Training Course Practical Session
Dry Needling Training Course Session
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Course Students
Dry Needling Training Course Practical Session
Medical Acupuncture & Dry Needling CPD Course
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Course Group Training
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Training Course Practical Demonstration
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Group Training
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Training Course Students
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Course Attendees
Medical Acupuncture & Dry Needling Course
Medical Acupuncture & Dry Needling Training Course
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Course Attendees
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Practical Demonstration
Acupuncture Training Course Practical Session
Dry Needling Training Course Session
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Course Students
Dry Needling Training Course Practical Session
Medical Acupuncture & Dry Needling CPD Course
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Course Group Training
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Training Course Practical Demonstration
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Group Training
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Training Course Students
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Course Attendees
Medical Acupuncture & Dry Needling Course
Medical Acupuncture & Dry Needling Training Course
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Course Attendees
Acupuncture & Dry Needling Practical Demonstration

Meet your tutor

Dr. Carl Clarkson

Dr. Carl Clarkson

Qualifications
  • PhD, Acupuncture and Women’s Health, Northumbria University
  • MSc, Acupuncture, Coventry University
  • PGCE, Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching, Teeside University
  • BSc, Physiotherapy, Northumbria University
Achievements
  • Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, HEA
Over a decade ago, I had an ambitious vision – create exceptional learning experiences for healthcare professionals. My career began in 2004 as a Physiotherapist, where a passion for helping people was...
More about Carl

Agenda

Online Learning Prior To Face-To-FaceOnline

  1. Prior to the face-to-face session, you will complete safety lessons on our online platform. You will learn:

    • Contraindications and precautions
    • Adverse events
    • How to deal with adverse events
  2. Needle insertion fundamentals take you through video demonstrations of how we choose needle size, and how we can clinically reason our acupoint choices, no matter which part of the body is needled

  3. An introduction to meridians - the essential map needed to guide you on locating acupoints

  4. Pain physiology and the impact acupuncture has on descending inhibition

Face-To-Face Day 1

Here, you will begin your needle insertion techniques, with the primary focus on the upper limb.

By the end of day one, you will have been introduced to prominent acupoints commonly used for ailments affecting the shoulder, elbow and the wrist and hand. Furthermore, we will look to integrate your online learning, specifically around needling safety and clinical reasoning.

Face-To-Face Day 2

On day two, you will progress your basic needling skills to apply to the lower limb and spine. We will build upon the clinical reasoning lessons from day one through case studies, and explore the physiological impacts of needling in acute and persistent pain.

By the end of day two, you will have gained confidence in your needling skills, and have a deeper understanding of what informs our decisions to needle a client (and subsequently, how to choose which acupoints are best suited).

Face-To-Face Day 3

We will begin the final face-to-face session by consolidating your upper limb, lower limb and spinal needling techniques. You will have a short safety test to complete, where you will be required to describe needling safety (contraindications, precautions) before demonstrating safe needle insertion into the thoracic spine.

The lessons on day three focus upon the head, neck, ear before progressing to dry needling techniques. Furthermore, we will explore the theoretical and practical aspects of needling for systemic ailments such as hot flushes, overactive bladder, and stress. We will conclude the face to face aspect of the course with case studies and Q&A.

Online Learning Post Face-To-FaceOnline

To contextualise acupuncture and dry needling within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), you will access a number of lessons that discuss TCM philosophy through our online platform.

Your assessment, consisting of several multi-choice tests focused upon case studies, will also be accessed via our online platform at this stage, which you will gain access to once you have completed the face-to-face workshop and have paid for the course in full.

Post Course SupportOnline

Following completion of your final online training element, you will continue to receive support from Dr. Clarkson via email or tele-conferencing to help guide you when beginning to introduce acupuncture and dry needling into your usual practice.

Course bookings

Request this course near you

Southampton, UK

19th - 21st Apr 2024 (8:45 AM - 5:00 PM)

£610.00Southampton, SO15 1, UK

Liverpool, L3 4, UK

19th - 21st Apr 2024 (8:45 AM - 5:00 PM)

£610.00Liverpool, UK

London, UK

26th - 28th Apr 2024 (8:45 AM - 5:00 PM)

£635.00London, E1W 3, UK

University of West England (Students only)

29th Apr - 1st May 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£610.00UWE, UK

Plymouth, UK

10th - 12th May 2024 (8:45 AM - 5:00 PM)

£610.00Plymouth, UK

Nottingham, UK

10th - 12th May 2024 (8:45 AM - 5:00 PM)

£610.00Nottingham, UK

Sheffield, UK

10th - 12th May 2024 (8:45 AM - 5:00 PM)

£610.00Sheffield, UK

Edinburgh, UK

17th - 19th May 2024 (8:45 AM - 5:00 PM)

£610.00Edinburgh, UK

Middlesbrough, UK

24th - 26th May 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£610.00Middlesbrough, TS1 2, UK

Bristol, UK

5th - 7th Jun 2024 (8:45 AM - 5:00 PM)

£610.00Bristol, BS1, UK

University of Birmingham (Physio Students Only)

10th - 12th Jun 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£610.00University of Birmingham (Physio Students Only)

Lincoln, UK

14th - 16th Jun 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£610.00Lincoln, LN6 9, UK

St Georges University, London (University Students Only)

14th - 16th Jun 2024 (8:45 AM - 5:00 PM)

£610.00St Georges University, London, UK

West London, UK

14th - 16th Jun 2024 (8:45 AM - 5:00 PM)

£635.00West London, W3 6, UK

Preston, UK

21st - 23rd Jun 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£610.00Preston, PR1 3, UK

Kent, UK

29th Jun - 1st Jul 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£610.00European School of Osteopathy (ESO), Kent, UK

Leeds Beckett University (Students Only)

1st - 3rd Jul 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£610.00Leeds Beckett University (Students Only)

Belfast, UK

1st - 3rd Jul 2024 (8:45 AM - 5:00 PM)

£610.00Belfast, BT12 5, UK

Manchester, UK

3rd - 5th Jul 2024 (8:45 AM - 5:00 PM)

£610.00Manchester, UK

Barnstaple, North Devon

8th - 10th Jul 2024 (8:45 AM - 5:00 PM)

£610.00Petroc College, Barnstaple, North Devon, EX31 2BQ

Birmingham, UK

12th - 14th Jul 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£635.00Birmingham Great Barr, B43 7, UK

Newcastle, UK

15th - 17th Jul 2024 (8:45 AM - 5:00 PM)

£610.00Breeze Academy HQ, Newcastle, NE29 6, UK

Sheffield, UK (For Sheffield Hallam Students)

23rd - 25th Jul 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£610.00Sheffield, UK

Coventry, UK

26th - 28th Jul 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£610.00Coventry, CV8 1, UK

Milton Keynes, UK

26th - 28th Jul 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£610.00Milton Keynes, MK16 0, UK

Southampton, UK

26th - 28th Jul 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£610.00Southampton, SO15 1, UK

Carlisle, UK

31st Jul - 2nd Aug 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£610.00Carlisle, CA3 0, UK

Derby, UK

2nd - 4th Aug 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£610.00Derby, DE1 3, UK

Leeds, UK

2nd - 4th Aug 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£610.00Leeds, LS10 1, UK

Bradford, UK

14th - 16th Aug 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£610.00Bradford, BD1 2, UK

Glasgow, UK

23rd - 25th Aug 2024 (8:45 AM - 5:00 PM)

£610.00Glasgow, UK

Edinburgh, UK

6th - 8th Sep 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£610.00Edinburgh, EH3, 8, UK

Doncaster, UK

6th - 8th Sep 2024 (8:45 AM - 5:00 PM)

£619.00Doncaster, DN4 8, UK

Brighton, UK

9th - 11th Sep 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Brighton, BN1 2, UK

Leicester, UK

20th - 22nd Sep 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Leicester, LE1 5, UK

Newcastle, UK

25th - 27th Sep 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Newcastle, NE29 6, UK

Bristol, UK

25th - 27th Sep 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Bristol, BS1 2, UK

Exeter, UK

2nd - 4th Oct 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Exeter, EX1 2, UK

Swansea, UK

4th - 6th Oct 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£610.00Swansea, UK

Liverpool, UK

9th - 11th Oct 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Liverpool, L3 4, UK

Manchester, UK

18th - 20th Oct 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Manchester, M1 5, UK

Ipswich, UK

25th - 27th Oct 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Ipswich, IP2 0, UK

Southampton, UK

30th Oct - 1st Nov 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Southampton, SO15 1, UK

Nottingham, UK

1st - 3rd Nov 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£610.00Nottingham, NG2 3, UK

Bradford, UK

8th - 10th Nov 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Bradford, BD1, 2, UK

Newcastle, UK

11th - 13th Nov 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Newcastle, NE29 6, UK

Bristol, UK

13th - 15th Nov 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Bristol, BS1 2, UK

Coventry, UK

15th - 17th Nov 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Coventry, CV8 1, UK

Sheffield, UK

22nd - 24th Nov 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Sheffield, S1 4, UK

Bedford, UK

22nd - 24th Nov 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Bedford, MK42, UK

Carlisle, UK

29th Nov - 1st Dec 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Carlisle, CA3 0, UK

Glasgow, UK

29th Nov - 1st Dec 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Glasgow, G1 4, UK

Reading, UK

6th - 8th Dec 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Reading, RG2 0, UK

Manchester, UK

6th - 8th Dec 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Manchester, M1 5, UK

Leeds, UK

6th - 8th Dec 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Leeds, LS10 1, UK

Derby, UK

9th - 11th Dec 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Derby, DE1 3, UK

Middlesbrough, UK

11th - 13th Dec 2024 (8:45 AM - 4:30 PM)

£619.00Middlesbrough, TS1 2, UK