Jane Rooney – APA Level 1 Dry Needling - 1 Day 2027

Dr Jane Rooney, FACP is a Specialist Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist, sub-specialty knee (as awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapists in 2009) and Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist (1997). Jane is an Associate Clinical Professor at Swinburne University, an Honorary Lecturer at Melbourne University, Guest Lecturer and post graduate mentor at La Trobe University, an examiner and facilitator for the Australian College of Physiotherapists and a regular presenter for many APA courses over the past 20 years. She is also currently involved in several knee research projects. Jane was awarded the prestigious Australian Churchill Scholarship in 2016 to evaluate ACL injury management in Europe and USA.

Jane has a passion for education and is the sole director of Physio Educators which provides courses and online masterclasses in conjunction with the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Jane has lectured extensively throughout Australia and Internationally over the past 25 years. Jane attained her APA certificate in Acupuncture in 2000 and has been involved in teaching the level 1 and level 2 APA Dry Needling course since 2004. Jane previously has taught Dry Needling at Master’s and Clinical Doctorate level at Melbourne University. Jane has also been on the Victorian dry needling committee for many years and is also on the national dry needling education committee. Jane is the Clinical Director of Prahran Sports Medicine Centre, a large multidisciplinary sports medicine clinic in Melbourne, Australia. She has extensive experience in the provision of sports physiotherapy services over the past 27 years for sports teams and individual athletes at state, national and international levels.

Physiotherapists are increasingly using dry needling for pain management and thereby improving function in conjunction with other physiotherapy approaches. This structured course meets the national Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) recommendations for physiotherapists to practice dry needling safely for musculoskeletal conditions and sports injuries. The sound knowledge of indications and contraindications for dry needling requires appropriate assessment and treatment skills.

This course is designed to provide physiotherapists an opportunity to improve knowledge and skills of dry needling, and make them aware of guidelines for safe dry needling practices in a range of musculoskeletal conditions. On completion, participants will have a good knowledge of the theory, research and safety considerations of dry needling.

1. Safety in Acupuncture and Dry Needling Online course

The Safety in Acupuncture and Dry Needling Online Course is at Foundation level aligned to the Competence Framework.
A physiotherapy practitioner at this level can independently manage a range of clients with uncomplicated presentations in this area of practice, they can establish the client’s goals and deliver safe and effective management. It would suit physiotherapists:

• commencing post entry-level development with an interest in this area of practice
• seeking to re-enter the workforce or returning to this area after an absence
• who are currently practicing and moving into this area who are expected to perform at this level

2. Part A - ONLINE

Dry Needling Physiotherapy Level 1 - Part A is self-paced and consists of seven recorded lectures. These must be completed to receive a Certificate of Attendance. Part A is a pre-requisite for the Dry Needling for Physiotherapists Level 1 – Part B face-to-face course. Group discussion, presentations and a theory exam during the practical Part B course will assume this knowledge. On completion of Part A, participants will be able to:

• Describe the history and theories of dry needling
• Explain the different approaches and indications of dry needling
• Identify the difference between acupuncture and dry needling approaches
• Explain the research evidence specific to dry needling
• Identify the safety considerations including documented side effects relating to dry needling
• Describe the precautions and contraindications for dry needling, in order to evaluate patient’s suitability for dry needling

3. Part B – FACE TO FACE

Dry Needling Physiotherapy Level 1 Part B is a ONE-day course, which is predominantly practical but does include clinical reasoning in dry needling applications. It includes assessment and dry needling of the cervical and lumbar regions, upper limbs, including safe dry needling of the upper trapezius, thoracic and quadratus lumborum regions.

07:45 Registration

08:00 Welcome and introduction

08:35 Session 1: Theory Revision and Discussion

09:30 Session 2: Introduction to dry needling practical and Infection control guidelines

10:15 Morning Tea

10:30 Session 3: Dry needling of Splenius Capitis, and muscles in the cervical paravertebral gutter at C2 and C6

11:30 Session 4: Dry Needling of Upper Trapezius and Thoracic region

12:30 Lunch

13.15 Session 5: Dry needling Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus

14:00 Session 6: Dry needling the upper and lower lumbar regions and Quadratus Lumborum

15:00 Afternoon Tea

15:15 Session 7: Practical and theory safety test

16:00 Session 8: Theory Exam marking, questions and case discussion

18:00 Wrap Up + Finish

Priority Access List

Joining the Priority Access List is free but does not confirm a course place. 

Once the course reaches the minimum number required to proceed, list registrants will receive first access to the lowest available bank-transfer-only course price. Payment must be completed within 7 days to secure a place. Any unpaid places after the payment deadline will be released to the Early Bird registration pool.

The course fee includes:

• Online modules (5.5hrs)
• 1 day practical in-person workshop
• Manual
• Catering
• Certificate of attendance 

Hong Kong Physiotherapy CPD Programme Accreditation

• CPD accreditation applied and awaiting approval
• CPD Points (likely): 6 in-person; 6 online
• CPD Code: to be confirmed

Priority Access price

$3000HKD, bank transfer only

Available only to Priority Access List registrants

Early bird rate:

• $ 3300HKD
• $ 3150HKD (Group booking of 2+ participants‡)

Standard rate:

• $ 4000HKD
• $ 3850HKD (Group booking of 2+ participants‡)

Applications close#:

• Priority Access payment deadline: 7 days from payment invitation 
• Early Bird closes: 28 Nov 2026
• Standard Rate closes: 8 January 2027 

Note:

#The course will be limited to 24 participants

Payment Details

Priority Access payments are by bank transfer only. Early Bird and Standard registrations may be paid by credit card through Shopify or by bank transfer.

‡For group bookings, a single transaction payment is required for all participants. Registration details for the other participants should be emailed to courses@physio-central.com.

Tickets will be issued after payment, confirmation of prior needling experience, and completion of the required registration details.

The course will be held at:

Thrive by PhysioCentral
6/F, 22 Heung Yip Road
Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong.

Additional information about Thrive by PhysioCentral, including a map, directions, transport options, and building access, can be found on the Thrive by PhysioCentral location page.