Refresh your dry needling knowledge, practical skills and confidence.

ACE's Dry Needling Refresher Course gives those who have already undertaken training in Dry Needling the opportunity to improve their skill and understanding of Dry Needling, and raise their confidence in the clinical application of this modality.

Depending on the types of patients you see clinically, the pathologies that present to you, or the time that may have passed since you undertook your training, it is common that clinicians can feel less than confident with needling certain areas of the body. This course is designed to sharpen your understanding, bring your knowledge up-to-date, and hone your practical skills so that you can feel safe, effective and accomplished with the use of Dry Needling in your practice.

Across eight practical hours, you will refresh your knowledge of dry needling techniques, mechanisms, and anatomy. This course places particular emphasis on building and refreshing your confidence and knowledge, including in anatomically higher-risk regions. Review key theory and contemporary research, revise hygiene and risk management, and practice a broad range of muscles under guidance and support from your educator.

This is a refresher course, rather than foundational training, so participants need an existing formal dry needling qualification in order to participate.

Why Choose the ACE Refresher Dry Needling Course?

➡️ You completed your formal dry needling training some time ago and want the opportunity for some structured revision of the technique and specific commonly needled muscles	➡️ You have not used dry needling regularly in clinical practice, but now you would like to begin and want supervised practical support to practice and refresh your techniques
➡️ Want to revisit anatomy, hygiene, safety and clinical reasoning but don't need to start from scratch in your learning	➡️ Need a practical refresher that meets your professional association requirements

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for suitably qualified allied health and manual therapy professionals, including:

Physiotherapists
Osteopaths
Chiropractors
Myotherapists
Occupational therapists
Remedial massage therapists

Course and insurance requirements can vary between professions and countries. Please confirm that your qualification, professional association and insurer allow you to undertake and practice dry needling before registering.

All ACE courses include a certificate upon completion that can be used to claim professional development points with your professional association.

Course Pre-requisite

You must have completed a formal dry needling education to attend this course. Informal instruction from a colleague is not sufficient. If your previous training did not provide a complete whole-body foundation, or you have significant gaps in your knowledge and technique, the ACE 3-Day Dry Needling Course may be more appropriate.

Learning Outcomes

Current theory and research. Review key developments in dry needling, myofascial pain and proposed mechanisms of action.	Safety, hygiene and consent. Revisit safe needling procedures, infection control, cautions, contraindications and informed consent.
Applied anatomy and palpation. Refresh your anatomical knowledge and improve landmark identification before needling.	Practical technique. Practise a broad selection of dry needling techniques with instructor feedback and correction.
Higher-risk regions. Revisit techniques in anatomically higher-risk areas with a strong focus on risk awareness and safe application.	Clinical reasoning. Review patient selection, treatment planning, dosage and integration with a broader patient-centred approach.
Confidence in practice. Identify gaps, ask questions and rebuild a clear, repeatable approach to safe dry needling.	Guidance and support. Practice needling in a supported and guided environment to build your confidence and reinforce your understanding

What is included?

8 hours of in-person professional development
Supervised practice, support and feedback from ACE instructors
Course notes and a certificate upon successful completion
Ongoing access to the ACE student support team
The following muscles will be covered:
- Quadratus Lumborum
- Erector spinal group
- Rhomboids
- Levator Scapulae
- Trapezius
- Supra and Infra spinatus
- Sternocleidomastoid
- Pectoralis Major
- Psoas Major
- Iliacus
- Gluteals
- Compartments of the lower leg
- More muscles can be covered on request

Still have questions?

See our frequently asked questions:

I did my dry needing training years ago, and I feel a bit rusty on certain areas of the body, is this the right course for me?

Please check the list of muscles included in this course on this page above. If you feel that there are areas of the body not listed that you would like to refresh, we recommend you undertake our introductory 3 day dry needling course. The ACE dry needling course has an emphasis on anatomical understanding, technique, precision, and safety. It is recommended that health care practitioners update their dry needling training every 3 years.

I feel that I lack confidence when needling higher risk areas such as the trunk, neck, and other regions of the torso and pelvis. Is this the right course for me?

Yes, this course will provide you with an excellent review of the relevant anatomy of those regions, and ample practical training. This course covers needling applications for higher risk areas with an emphasis on safety, anatomy, and technique. If you have attended another dry needling course, or are looking to update your knowledge and skills, you are guaranteed to take away some valuable clinical insights, knowledge and skills.

I haven’t done a formal dry needling course before, but I have been shown the basics by a colleague. Can I do this course?

No. To attend this course, you must have already completed a formal dry needling program and already possess the basics and knowledge to use dry needling in clinical practice.

I need to satisfy my professional association’s requirement for a refresher dry needling program, will this course meet that need?

Yes, but please check the number of practical training hours required by your association. If it is 8 hours or less, this course will meet your need.

I’ve already done ACE’s 3 day dry needling course, why should I do this Refresher course?

This course will be a great opportunity for you to revisit some of the more challenging needling applications, to ensure you are confident and effective in your treatments. We will also provide you with an up to date understanding of the literature and underpinning mechanisms of dry needling to inform clinical practice. If you completed your initial dry needling training with another provider, it is likely that there will be new and different approaches covered in this course and a recap on previously learned dry needling approaches.

I am an Acupuncturist who would like to learn about dry needling, to broaden by skill set. Is this course appropriate for me?

No. This course does not cover the foundational knowledge and concepts that are required to perform dry needling. We recommend you undertake our 3 day introductory course first.

Ready to register?

Register early to access the best available ticket price and secure your place.

Payment Plans

Payment Plans are available for ACE courses so you can spread the cost of your ticket over time. Select 'Pay over time' at checkout. A 30% upfront payment is required, followed by weekly instalments, with the final payment scheduled 3 weeks before the course date. Humanitix charges a $12 payment plan fee.

See our Payment Plan Policy HERE.

Cancellations, transfers and credits

We know plans can change. Before booking, please read the ACE Cancellation, Transfer and Refund Policy. If you need to change your registration, please contact ACE as soon as possible at admin@advancedclinicaled.com

See our Cancellation, Transfer and Refund Policy HERE.

Bring a friend and save

Want to bring a friend? Check out our Bring a Friend Policy for discounts when booking a course with a friend or colleague. Groups of two or more receive 10% off each. Please email us at admin@advancedclinicaled.com when booking to confirm eligibility and receive the next steps. See our Bring a Friend Policy HERE.

Repeat a course at a reduced price

At ACE, we provide you with the ability to repeat our courses at a heavily discounted rate (conditions apply). Please see our Course Repeat Policy HERE.

Booking travel

If you need to travel to attend this course, please check with ACE prior to booking flights etc to confirm that the course will proceed. It is rare that courses need to be cancelled or postponed, but we want to avoid any unnecessary disruption to your plans.

English Language: Please note that proficiency in written and verbal communication in English is essential for participation in ACE courses. Being able to understand and communicate clearly in English is a requirement for safety purposes, and to ensure that you and your fellow students get the most out of your learning experience. If it is deemed that your English proficiency is not suitable for safe participation in the course, this may result in your registration being cancelled and you may not be eligible for a refund.

Contact the host of Refresher Dry Needling Course MELBOURNE VIC (27 JUNE 2027)