Course Title: Provide myofascial dry needling treatment

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2023

Course Code: COTH5012

Course Title: Provide myofascial dry needling treatment

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.  

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.  

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.  

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus  

  

Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6159 - Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy

Course Contact: Toby Glennon

Course Contact Phone: 03 9925 0320

Course Contact Email: toby.glennon@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 60

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None.

Course Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to administer myofascial dry needling treatment.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	VU21879 Provide myofascial dry needling treatment
Element:	1 Apply the central principles and practices of myofascial dry needling treatment.
Performance Criteria:	1.1   Myofascial dry needling treatment principles and role of therapy and the therapist are specified to the client 1.2   Myofascial dry needling treatment principles and practices are evaluated in relation to the client’s health conditions 1.3   Recent developments and current best practices principles are integrated into the treatment 1.4   Measures to reduce risk, improve safety and enhance treatment outcomesare employed by the therapist
Element:	2 Work within clinic and regulation guidelines.
Performance Criteria:	2.1   Clinic’s guidelines and relevant legal and regulatory requirements for myofascial dry needling treatment are identified and adhered to 2.2   All relevant documentation is sourced and organised to communicate the key regulatory requirements to other relevant work personnel 2.3   A strategy/response to a range of given clinical scenarios is developed to ensure that appropriate guidelines are followed 2.4   Clinical guidelines are developed to ensure skills and practices are periodically reviewed & maintained 2.5   Personal hygiene and infection control guidelines are established and practised 2.6   Informed consent is sought from the client before commencing myofascial dry needling treatment
Element:	3 Assess the client to determine if myofascial dry needling is indicated
Performance Criteria:	3.1   The client’s history is collected to accurately describe and determine the condition 3.2   An objective examination is conducted to assess function & dysfunction and reproduce presenting symptoms 3.3   Myofascial trigger points are accurately palpated relevant to the presenting condition/symptoms 3.4   The need to apply myofascial dry needling to improve the client’s condition is determined
Element:	4 Perform myofascial dry needling
Performance Criteria:	4.1   The work environment is correctly prepared to conduct myofascial trigger point needling 4.2   Required resources are organised for effective treatment 4.3   Needles, cotton buds, biowaste and sharp’s disposal units are placed correctly 4.4   Myofascial dry needling is performed with the correct clinical procedures to ensure treatment goals are achieved 4.5   Best practice checks and balances are utilised to ensure client safety 4.6   Clinical guidelines for correct administration of myofascial dry needling are adhered to 4.7   Effectiveness of the myofascial dry needling in treating the client’s condition is evaluated

Learning Outcomes

See Elements of competency above 

Details of Learning Activities

This course will be delivered through face-to-face classes and utilising the learning support material and resources here in Canvas.

In this class, students will learn to responsibly and safely implement Myofascial Dry Needling (MDN) into their Myotherapy treatments for myofascial trigger points, myofascial pain and other presented conditions.

Students learn the technical application of the skill, including the safe handling of needles, disposal of sharps and bio-hazards, infection control and hygiene requirements along with developing an understanding of the history of needling, its effect on the body and differences with Acupuncture. 

Students will also learn how to accurately identify and palpate trigger points, assess myofascial tension within structures of the human body, and then apply MDN techniques as appropriate.

Teaching Schedule

	Myofascial Dry Needling
	Class topics and Assessments
Week 1	Orientation: Subject guide discussed MDN and Acupuncture explained legal and ethical considerations
Week 2	Pain Physiology, Trigger Point and Dermatome Theory Dermatome Needling: Upper and Lower limb
Week 3	MDN: Tibialis Anterior, Gastrocnemius
Week 4	MDN: Rectus Femoris, Vastus Medialis, Vastus Lateralis, TFL, Gluteus Medius
Week 5	MDN: Biceps Femoris, Semimembranosus, Semitendinosus, Gluteus Maximus, Piriformis
Week 6	MDN: Soleus, Peroneals, Adductor Longus, Adductor Magnus
Week 7	MDN: Quadratus Lumborum and Erector Spinae Group
Week 8	Practical Case Study 1 – Lower Body
Class Treatment Record to be submitted via turnitin
Week 9	MDN: Rhomboids, Levator Scapulae, Supraspinatus, Deltoids
Week 10	Scientific Evidence: Facilitation and MDN of Upper Trapezius, Lower Trapezius, Teres Minor, Multifidus
Week 11	MDN: Splenius Capitus & Cervicis, Semispinalis
Week 12	MDN: Teres Major, Infraspinatus, Triceps, Biceps
Week 13	MDN: Brachioradialis, ECRL, ECRB, ECU and Supinator
Week 14	MDN: FCR, FCU, Flexor Digitorum and Pronator Teres
Week 15	MDN: SCM, Masseter and Temporalis Assessment Revision
Week 16 –	Practical Case Study 2 – Upper Body
Week 17 –	Myo AxRx GHJ Case Study Assessment – Scapulo-thoracic MDN component
Reassessments

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

There are two set texts for this unit. Both texts are available online via the Library and can be accessed directly using the 'Reading List' tab in the menu.

Donelly, J, 2019, Travell, Simons & Simons' Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction : The Trigger Point Manual, 3rd edn, Wolters Kluwer Health, Philadelphia.

Dommerholt, J, 2018, Trigger Point Dry Needling E-Book : An Evidence and Clinical-Based Approach, 2nd edn, Elsevier.

Butler, D & Moseley, L, 2003, Explain Pain, NOIGROIP, Adelaide, Australia.

Overview of Assessment

To be deemed competent you must demonstrate an understanding of all aspects required of the competency. Assessment methods have been designed to measure your achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over multiple tasks.

 

Assessment 1: Clinic Observation Skills Checklist    

Assessment 2: Practical Assessments - Case Studies

Assessment 3:  Class Treatment Record

Assessment 4: Myofascial Dry Needling Assignment

Assessment 5:  Practical Assessment 

 

Assessment Tasks

Task 1. Clinic Observation Skills Checklist

23rd June 2024

There are a number of tasks to be completed within the Myotherapy student clinic by your last shift in the student clinic to demonstrate your practical application in a clinical setting.

 

2. Practical Assessments

These tasks are a practical assessment of your trigger point needling skills and knowledge.

2.1 Practical Case Study test 1 – Lower Body 

4th September 2023

2.2 Practical Case Study test 2 – Upper Body 

30th October 2023

 

3. Class Treatment Record

4th September

During all MDN classes you will be required to fill in a treatment record sheet. On this document you will gain written consent from your partner in each class and fill out the treatment performed. You must have evidence of 10 different treatments, under supervision in MDN or AxRx class, recorded in this document. This must be submitted via CANVAS before you are able to complete your first practical assessment.

 

4. Myofascial Dry Needling Assignment

20th October 2023

See assessment tool on Canvas for details of this assessment.

 

5. MyoAxRx Practical Assessment 3 – MDN component

2023

Part of the practical assessment for this unit will occur in your MyoAxRx GHJ case study assessment. You will use the skills and knowledge acquired in MDN to treat scapulohumeral rhythm after assessing your partner with the skills and knowledge learnt in MyoAxRx.

Assessment Matrix

Course Overview: Access Course Overview