Foundation Acupuncture & Dry Needling Course

Over three days, we’ll guide you through everything you need to feel confident using acupuncture and dry needling in practice.

• Day 1 we’ll jump into the essentials — covering key acupuncture principles, meridian pathways, and core acupoints. From the very start, you’ll get hands-on experience with expert guidance, building confidence as you practice needling techniques. We’ll also break down the fundamentals of creating effective treatment protocols, including point selection, dosage, and practical application, setting a solid foundation for the days ahead.
• Day 2 is all about honing your skills and expanding your knowledge. You’ll explore acupoints in the lower limb and spine, gaining a deeper understanding of pain physiology and its role in acupuncture practice. Through case studies, you’ll refine your clinical reasoning, applying treatment protocols with greater structure and confidence. Each session builds on the last, helping you take a more comprehensive approach to your practice.
• Day 3 takes your skills further with specialised techniques like auricular and facial acupuncture. You’ll explore acupuncture’s role in managing persistent pain, tackle complex case studies, and refine your clinical reasoning. After completing your safety test, the afternoon focuses on mastering dry needling — covering all four limbs and safely applying techniques over the thorax.

Most definitely! You’ll be needling from the start. The practical aspect of the course kicks off immediately during the workshop, with a focus on mastering the basics first and then moving on to more advanced techniques. 

Our step-by-step approach allows you to build confidence, refine your skills, and receive plenty of guidance along the way. By the end of the workshop, you’ll feel fully prepared to integrate acupuncture and dry needling into your practice.

Don’t worry about bringing any needles or equipment – we’ve got everything covered for you! Just come in loose, comfortable clothing, and bring along a pair of shorts for days 2 and 3. You’ll also want to have your practical manuals, which you can easily download from the online platform beforehand or access online during the workshop.

All our venues have Wi-Fi, so you’ll be all set to dive into the practical sessions and make the most of your time!

You’ll need to complete about 5-10 hours of online learning before the practical workshop. These modules focus on essential safety information, so you’re fully prepared for the hands-on training. The rest of the content is optional, and you can explore it at your own pace, either before or after the workshop. It’s all designed to fit around your schedule!

We completely understand that assessments can feel a bit daunting, but don’t worry – our practical sessions are designed to fully prepare you for success.

Throughout the course, our tutors work closely with everyone to make sure they feel confident in their needling practice. If any areas need extra attention, we identify that early and provide support well before the assessment.

In the rare case that someone doesn’t meet the required safety standards, we’ll offer tailored support to help them improve. This could include close supervised practice, revisiting key safety principles, or a structured plan to address any challenges. You’d then have the opportunity to reattempt the assessment at a later time.

If English isn’t your first language, we’re experienced in providing extra guidance to make sure everything is clear, especially around safety, precautions, and contraindications.

That said, it’s very rare for someone to be unable to continue due to safety concerns, and our priority is to support you every step of the way.

After attending the practical workshop, successfully completing the online assessment and also paying in full, your certificate will be automatically generated and available for download.

Absolutely! After completing our foundation course, you’ll be ready to start practising acupuncture and dry needling within your professional scope. You’ll need to make sure you have the right insurance and local council licensing in place – but we offer guidance on securing both during the online and in-person components of the course.

Additionally, while the course covers essential techniques, you have the flexibility to use additional acupuncture points if you feel confident in your abilities and have clinically reasoned your treatment protocol. This allows you to tailor your practice to meet the individual needs of your clients, all while maintaining safety and effectiveness.

Definitely! Our workshops are designed to ensure you leave feeling confident and ready to apply your new skills in practice. With plenty of hands-on experience, expert guidance, and individual feedback, you’ll not only master the techniques but also develop a deep understanding of when and why to use them.

Our tutors work closely with you throughout the training, refining your technique and reinforcing key clinical reasoning principles. By the end of the workshop, you’ll feel assured in your ability to apply acupuncture and dry needling safely, effectively, and with confidence. And if you ever need extra support, we’re here to help even after the course!

Yes, safety is at the heart of our training, and handling adverse events is a key part of the course. You’ll learn how to recognise, manage, and respond effectively to potential complications, such as vasovagal responses, needling discomfort, and other needling-related issues.

You’ll develop a strong understanding of safety protocols, proper needling techniques, and risk reduction strategies to minimise the likelihood of adverse events occurring in the first place. Our goal is to ensure that you leave the course feeling confident, prepared, and fully equipped to practise safely in any clinical setting.

Yes, you’ll need appropriate insurance and a local council licence to practise acupuncture and dry needling. 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.

You’ll have plenty of support throughout the course! Our tutors and learner support team are always here to help with any questions or challenges you might face. Whether it’s clarifying theory or assisting with practical techniques, we’re happy to guide you every step of the way. As your workshop date gets closer, we’ll also send you all the information you need to ensure you’re fully prepared and confident for the practical session.

Yes, you can! You’ll have access to all the course materials on the online platform for up to one month after the practical workshop. This gives you the chance to go over anything you want to revisit – whether it’s reviewing techniques or refreshing your understanding of the theory. It’s a great way to make sure you’re feeling confident in applying everything you’ve learned.

Yes, absolutely! We’ve got a few ways to keep supporting you after the course:

• Breeze Academy Membership: For ongoing support, you can join our membership scheme. It gives you access to exclusive content, additional learning resources, and more ways to keep your skills sharp as you continue to grow.
• Facebook Group: You can join our community where you can ask any questions, share your experiences, and get advice from both peers and tutors. It’s a great way to stay connected and get insights when needed.
• Email Support: If you’ve got specific clinical questions, just shoot us an email at enquiries@breeze.academy, and one of our tutors will be happy to help you out. We’re here to guide you through any cases or treatment queries you may have.

We’re always here to help, whether it’s through the community or more direct support. Don’t worry, you won’t be alone as you apply what you’ve learnt!

You’ve got a couple of options when it comes to payment. You can either pay the full course fee upfront or choose to split it into monthly instalments. Just a heads-up, though – in order to receive your certificate once you’ve completed the course, the full fee needs to be paid.

Once you’ve booked, you’ll get immediate access to our online training platform, so you can start exploring the course material right away. This gives you a great head start and allows you to get familiar with the theory before your practical workshop.

As the workshop date gets closer, we’ll send you all the details you’ll need, like the venue, schedule, and any preparation instructions. That way, you’ll feel fully prepared when it’s time for the hands-on part! And, of course, if you have any questions along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re here to help!

We understand that life can sometimes throw unexpected challenges your way! If you’re unable to attend your scheduled workshop, just let us know as soon as possible, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

There may be a rescheduling fee depending on circumstance, timing and availability, but we’re here to support you and make sure you have the opportunity to complete the course. If you need anything or have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!

This course is designed for healthcare professionals like physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, nurses, and sports therapists who want to add acupuncture and dry needling to their practice. It’s also open to final-year students in a relevant healthcare field, as well as health and wellness therapists with a Level 4 qualification that covers musculoskeletal anatomy or who have taken our entry level course.

If you’re looking to build your clinical skills, advance your career, and gain CPD hours, this course will give you everything you need. 

Yes, absolutely! Our foundation course is designed for beginners with no prior acupuncture or dry needling experience. You’ll need to first meet our eligibility criteria, but there’s no expectation that you have any prior training in these techniques. In fact, almost all learners on our foundation courses are starting from scratch, and our expert tutors will guide you through every step to ensure you feel confident and competent.

There are multiple routes to access our Foundation Course:

• Route A: Are you currently a regulated healthcare professional, or a final year student, where the degree includes musculoskeletal anatomy at Level 4? For example, are you a Doctor, Dentist, Physiotherapist, Osteopath, Chiropractor, Sports Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Nurse, Midwife or Podiatrist? If that’s you, then you’re eligible.
• Route B: Are you a non-regulated therapist with Level 4 musculoskeletal anatomy and hands-on experience treating MSK conditions? An example of a Route B therapist would be a Level 4 Sports Massage Therapist. If that’s you, we would need to first check your qualifications but you are most likely eligible as well.
• Route C: For therapists without Level 4 musculoskeletal anatomy, and / or do not currently assess and treat musculoskeletal conditions, you can progress to our Foundation Course by first completing our Entry Level Acupuncture Course followed by our online Bridging Course.

Find out more about our tailored acupuncture pathway bundles for those who don’t yet meet the entry criteria or who prefer to book multiple courses at once and save below.

Still not sure? Schedule a call or send us your questions using the contact form below.

• A dual certificate – most courses offer you Acupuncture OR Dry Needling, we do both, without cutting corners (save BIG when having to do each separately)
• Ear Acupuncture training (can cost up to £1,250)
• Done-for-you Consent forms and Patient Information Leaflets (FREE for you to use in your own clinic)
• Acupuncture specific outcome measure documentation (FREE for you to use in your own clinic)
• Insurance and licensing walkthrough
• SAVE £££ and days & days of wasted extra training days, through our hybrid online/face to face workshop model
• Clinic-ready checklist (ensuring you are ready to go, instantly)
• Acupressure guide – get started IMMEDIATELY, putting your skills into your clinic TODAY

This course focuses on the therapeutic use of acupuncture and dry needling to treat conditions such as pain, stress, anxiety, and various musculoskeletal issues. While we cover essential acupuncture techniques, including acupoint identification and needling methods, cosmetic acupuncture is not a specific focus of this training.

That said, the core knowledge and skills you develop – such as understanding meridians, working with acupoints, and applying acupuncture safely – can provide a strong foundation if you decide to explore cosmetic acupuncture in the future. If you’re keen on this area, there are other specialised courses and resources you can explore to build on what you’ve learned here.

It depends on the country. Each country has its own rules and regulations when it comes to practicing acupuncture and dry needling. We strongly recommend checking the specific criteria for the country where you intend to practice, as requirements can vary widely. If you need help assessing whether our course aligns with those standards, we’re more than happy to support you in navigating the process.

The CSP does not endorse any acupuncture or dry needling training provider, nor do they set formal standards for training. While they don’t have specific requirements for acupuncture training, they do suggest that physiotherapists ensure they have the competence to practise safely.

What we can assure you is that we’ve trained thousands of physiotherapists who are now confidently using acupuncture and dry needling in their practice, with great success. We’re confident that this course will give you everything you need to feel completely at ease with your new skills and clinical reasoning.