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Work through the same Level 1 clinical foundation in a guided, self-paced format—with permanent course access, practical demonstrations and feedback on your submitted technique videos.
CE hours
Self-paced
Lifetime course access
Online • self-paced • 27 CE hours
Use promo code INTRODN at checkout
Permanent access to course materials
Streaming technique demonstrations
Instructor review of practice videos
Course manual and presentations
Confirm home-study acceptance with your licensing board before purchasing.
Level 1 introduces the history, physiology and clinical application of dry needling, then moves region by region through anatomy, safety, needle insertion and tissue-specific technique.
The curriculum is organized around three MDN foundations: myofascial pain and trigger points, the autonomic nervous system, and Total Motion Release. The goal is not simply to memorize where needles go—it is to understand what you are feeling, why you are treating and how to make sound clinical decisions.
Understand tissue behavior, palpation and clinically appropriate applications.
Explore physiological responses and neural-therapy concepts within the MDN framework.
Use whole-body assessment and the seven-step process to guide treatment decisions.
You move at your own pace, but you are not left alone to guess whether your technique is correct.
Use the manual, presentations, anatomy resources and streaming demonstrations.
Arrange a willing lab partner and complete the demonstrated techniques safely.
Record the required practice videos so an instructor can review your performance.
Use instructor guidance to correct details, reinforce safe habits and complete testing.
Digital course manual
Reference material you can revisit throughout the program.
Streaming demonstrations
Review regions and techniques as often as needed.
Instructor feedback
Guidance on submitted practice videos—not just a pass/fail video library.
CE documentation
Complete the required coursework and testing for 27 home-study hours.
THE MDN DIFFERENCE
“We're here to make you better—not impress you with how good we are.”
The MDN faculty brings decades of clinical and teaching experience, but the measure of success is whether you can understand the material and apply it responsibly.
The full agenda is grouped here so you can quickly understand the progression from safety and tissue fundamentals to region-specific practice and clinical reasoning.

History, clinical application, contraindications, needle handling, blood-borne pathogens and serious adverse effects.

Muscle belly, musculotendinous, tendon, tenoperiosteal, ligament and scar applications.

Guided anatomy, palpation and technique across commonly treated upper-quarter regions.

Clinical instruction for the hip, thigh and lower-leg regions, with patient-centered demonstrations.

Multifidus, paraspinals, quadratus lumborum and safety around the lung, kidney and abdominal regions.

The seven-step process, TMR and neural-therapy concepts, informed consent and post-course testing.
Completion requires active study, hands-on practice, technique demonstration and post-course testing.
Explain dry needling history, physiology and clinical applications
Identify muscle, tendon, ligament, scar and periosteal tissues
Select safe needle depth, angle and technique for each region
Recognize contraindications, precautions and adverse effects
Use needle palpation to distinguish normal and abnormal tissue
Apply the MDN seven-step process to clinical decision-making
Demonstrate techniques through guided practice-video review
Integrate TMR and neural-therapy concepts where appropriate
Master Dry Needling provides education; your licensing board determines whether dry needling is within your scope and whether home-study hours satisfy training or renewal requirements.
Active professional license
Dry needling must be included within your applicable scope of practice.
Board verification
Confirm that your state accepts home-study dry needling education before enrolling.
Your own willing lab partner
You are responsible for arranging appropriate partners for practical assignments.
Your own supplies and anatomy app
Supply links and suggested 3-D anatomy resources are provided after enrollment.
A pregnant person may not participate as the learner or lab partner because practical needling is required.

Practical dry needling education for clinicians who want to think clearly, treat confidently and keep learning.
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