Myofascial Triggerpoint Dry Needling
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Ensure you gain a reputable qualification in this area and avoid heavy loading on your professional indemnity insurance
This educational program will prepare clinicians to treat myofascial trigger points by dry needling. Participants will learn various dry needling techniques using solid acupuncture needles.
This is a training programme with immediate clinical applicability upon completion.
Highly Respected
- OVERVIEW
-
The National Qualification in Myofascial Triggerpoint Needling is an advanced certification course which offers you the opportunity to qualify and practice in the area of intramuscular trigger point stimulation, or trigger point dry needling as it is more commonly known.
This educational program will prepare clinicians to treat myofascial trigger points by dry needling. Participants will learn various dry needling techniques using solid acupuncture needles. This is a training programme with immediate clinical applicability upon completion.
- syllabus
-
The National Qualification in Myofascial Triggerpoint Needling includes the following elements:
- Introduction to invasive myofascial trigger point inactivation
- Complications of dry needling and injection
- Contra-indications to dry needling
- Dry needling of selected shoulder, arm and hand muscles
- Dry needling of selected head and neck muscles
- Dry needling of selected trunk, abdominal and low back muscles
- Dry needling of selected hip, leg and foot muscles
- Assessment
- Outcomes
-
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Review the functional muscle anatomy and myofascial trigger point referred pain patterns
- Demonstrate the anatomic and physiologic characteristics of the myofascial trigger point and identify it by palpation
- Discuss the indications and contra-indications to needling and injection therapy
- Discuss the possible complications of needling and injection therapy
- Discuss the pharmacology of the different drugs and biologicals used in injection therapy
- Diagnose and treat persons with myofascial pain syndrome using dry needling techniques
- FEES
-
The cost of participation on the National Qualification in Myofascial Trigger Point Needling is €1,200.00 for both modules. Qualification may only be achieved by completing both modules.
Places may be reserved by payment of a non-refundable deposit of €400.00 with the balance of €800.00 due on or before the Friday immediately preceding the course start date.
- eligibility
-
Individuals wanting to participate on the National Qualification in Myofascial Trigger Point Needling programme must hold the National Qualification in Neuromuscular Therapy or equivalent.
Individuals who do not hold the National Qualification in Neuromuscular Therapy but who have a background in medicine, physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture etc. may also be eligible. Please contact us on 01 8827777 to check.
Students are fully insured by the NTC while participating on this programme. Graduates must hold valid professional indemnity insurance in order to practice. All participants are expected to participate in the hands-on portion of the course.
- support
-
This course is supported by full online documentation and 40 demonstration videos (sample below) available to students of the course via the NTC Learning Portal.
The National Qualification in Myofascial Triggerpoint Needling is an advanced certification course which offers you the opportunity to qualify and practice in the area of intramuscular trigger point stimulation, or trigger point dry needling as it is more commonly known.
This educational program will prepare clinicians to treat myofascial trigger points by dry needling. Participants will learn various dry needling techniques using solid acupuncture needles. This is a training programme with immediate clinical applicability upon completion.
The National Qualification in Myofascial Triggerpoint Needling includes the following elements:
- Introduction to invasive myofascial trigger point inactivation
- Complications of dry needling and injection
- Contra-indications to dry needling
- Dry needling of selected shoulder, arm and hand muscles
- Dry needling of selected head and neck muscles
- Dry needling of selected trunk, abdominal and low back muscles
- Dry needling of selected hip, leg and foot muscles
- Assessment
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Review the functional muscle anatomy and myofascial trigger point referred pain patterns
- Demonstrate the anatomic and physiologic characteristics of the myofascial trigger point and identify it by palpation
- Discuss the indications and contra-indications to needling and injection therapy
- Discuss the possible complications of needling and injection therapy
- Discuss the pharmacology of the different drugs and biologicals used in injection therapy
- Diagnose and treat persons with myofascial pain syndrome using dry needling techniques
The cost of participation on the National Qualification in Myofascial Trigger Point Needling is €1,200.00 for both modules. Qualification may only be achieved by completing both modules.
Places may be reserved by payment of a non-refundable deposit of €400.00 with the balance of €800.00 due on or before the Friday immediately preceding the course start date.
Individuals wanting to participate on the National Qualification in Myofascial Trigger Point Needling programme must hold the National Qualification in Neuromuscular Therapy or equivalent.
Individuals who do not hold the National Qualification in Neuromuscular Therapy but who have a background in medicine, physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture etc. may also be eligible. Please contact us on 01 8827777 to check.
Students are fully insured by the NTC while participating on this programme. Graduates must hold valid professional indemnity insurance in order to practice. All participants are expected to participate in the hands-on portion of the course.
This course is supported by full online documentation and 40 demonstration videos (sample below) available to students of the course via the NTC Learning Portal.
Funding for Fitness Professionals

Schedules and Location
MYOFASCIAL TRIGGERPOINT NEEDLING
DUBLIN WEEKEND COURSE
FACE TO FACE IN CLASS LESSONS
Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm
MODULE 1 – January 2023 – 28th and 29th
MODULE 2 – February 2023 – 25th and 26th
*Please note these dates are provisional and, although unlikely, NTC reserve the right to make changes to the timetable if and when necessary.
Good Availability
MYOFASCIAL TRIGGERPOINT NEEDLING
DUBLIN WEEKEND COURSE
FACE TO FACE IN CLASS LESSONS
Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm
Module 1 – April 2023 – 22nd, 23rd
Module 2 – May 2023 – 13th, 14th
*Please note these dates are provisional and, although unlikely, NTC reserve the right to make changes to the timetable if and when necessary.
Good Availability
MYOFASCIAL TRIGGERPOINT NEEDLING
DUBLIN WEEKEND COURSE
FACE TO FACE IN CLASS LESSONS
Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm
Module 1 – September 2023 – 16th, 17th
Module 2 – October 2023 – 14th, 15th
*Please note these dates are provisional and, although unlikely, NTC reserve the right to make changes to the timetable if and when necessary.
Good Availability
What our graduates say
The reviews and testimonials shown here are unsolicited and from NTC graduates.

I’ve frequently found myself enamored by the anatomy of the human body, and have always held a desire to enter into a field of manual therapies. The NMT course has brought me to the beginning of a journey that embodies both. Beyond the comprehensive materials delivered within the course, I’ve also found that it has brought me to a community that shares in a wide breath of resources and abilities to assist in the betterment and wellness practices of life.
I am so grateful for my experience with the National Training Centre; to all the staff and tutors who always made themselves readily available, for all their guidance, their rich knowledge and aptitude to help develop myself and the other students into qualified NMTs.
With deep gratitude for Larry, Chris, John, Michelle and Kevin; you have all impacted my world in such a meaningful way.
Amanda June

Thank you to John Sharkey and all the NTC tutors. The Advanced European Neuromuscular Therapy course has been an eye-opener for me because of my background in Personal Training and Sports Massage. I have learnt unique ways of treating pain and have been applying these techniques to my existing clients.
In particular, a long-term client of mine with knee chronic pain, after few hours of treatment her knee pain has reduced by 80 percent.
Once again thank you to all NTC tutors this would not have been possible without you. It is a shame the course has come to an end but I also can’t wait to treat people with chronic pain and do a diploma in Neuromuscular Therapy. I will definitely recommend this course to a friend or a family member.
Ismail Sina

Thanks once again for an inspiring and enlightening weekend (although my wife’s upper trapezius muscles may disagree!). Learnt loads and I am very excited about the future of my practice.
Although already incredibly busy I find treating people with pain much more interesting and fulfilling than a runner with a tweaked calf. The education you have given me is truly going to develop me as a practitioner in such a dramatic way.
Thanks, John. Sad the course is coming to an end but will thoroughly recommend to others and will look to do the Masters in the future.
Rob Date
My experience at NTC was an enjoyable and positive one. This is where I realised my interest in Anatomy, Physiology and caring for people and is the main reason I’ve decided to go back to studying Nursing.
I met some fantastic people during my time at NTC and what I learned has played a huge part in me getting a place on Nursing studies.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff and tutors for guiding me to where I am now.
Eamonn Maher
I really enjoyed the course and the highly engaged and motivated tutors. I found the course very interesting and was fascinated by the individual components of NMT.
I would like to thank everybody involved for their highly valuable input, knowledge and support while studying.
Sabine Graef

Can I pass on my sincerest gratitude to all the staff at NTC ? Once again you all have delivered another professional and enjoyable course that ensures a qualification that is recognised and accepted with high regard within the industry.
Alan Devine

The good news is that I passed my Neuromuscular Therapy exams. I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to all the team in NTC for helping me in step one of a plan. You are a great team with wonderful tutors.
Liam Cotter

I have just sat my NMT exams and if it wasn’t for Larry, one of my tutors who helped me out, I would have let my nerves get the best of me. I also wish to thank the rest of the tutors and staff for all their help over the past 18 months.
Nicole Dunne

I have been in the Sports Massage and the treatment of occupational and sporting injuries profession for 26 years and have attended many courses to gain the necessary qualifications to give my very best to those in my care. I had read a book written by John Sharkey which was well written, extremely informative and an excellent reference source.
I subsequently had the pleasure of meeting John and went on to register for a Neuromuscular Therapy programme. It is an excellent course with lectures of the highest standard delivering essential information and first-rate techniques. Applying them in clinical practice I have seen very positive outcomes in patients of all ages. I highly recommend NTC for all therapists at any stage in their career. You will not be disappointed.
Steve Kirby

In April 2012 I completed the Certificate level Neuromuscular Therapy course. Since I completed the course I have had massive success and progression. I had several private clients that I attained from advertising in the gym that I was working in, and also worked on a referral basis with physiotherapist David Gardiner owner of Physiotherapyworks in Naas Co.Kildare.
In August 2012 I moved to Perth, Australia where I have enjoyed even more success. I spent 8 months working at Subiaco Sports Massage and while working in this clinic I had the privilege of treating several Olympic athletes including Sir Chris Hoy of the GB cycling team and also Western Force rugby team of the super 15s competition.
I really enjoyed my time at the NTC – we really had a great group and we all keep in touch.
Colin Cassidy
Our Triggerpoint Needling team


John Sharkey is an international educator, author and authority in the areas of Clinical Anatomy, Exercise Physiology, human movement and the manual treatment of chronic pain using European Neuromuscular Therapy. John is a graduate of the University of Dundee, University of Liverpool and University of Chester. He completed undergraduate and post-graduate studies in the areas of Exercise Physiology, Clinical Anatomy and holds a post-graduate certificate in education. He is currently a senior lecturer within the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Life Sciences, University of Chester/NTC, Dublin and is the programme leader of the Biotensegrity focused Thiel soft fix cadaver dissection courses department of anatomy and human identification, Dundee University, Scotland.
John has been delivering human anatomy dissection courses for many years teaching the geometry of anatomy and movement from the unique Biotensegrity-Anatomy for the 21st Century perspective. His presentations are respectful, dynamic, entertaining, educational and insightful.
John promotes his model of “Biotensegrity-Anatomy for the 21st century” integrating the pioneering work of his mentor Dr. Stephen Levin MD. John has been teaching European Neuromuscular Therapy using living anatomy and specialising in chronic pain conditions. He is recognised as one of the worlds leading authorities on fascia and Biotensegrity. He is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (JBMT), International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine and other professional journals.


Cristopher orignally hails from the Phillipines and is a qualified Physiotherapist. Cris teaches on many of the NTC’s bodywork educational programmes and his area of speciality is in myofascial triggerpoint dry needling.