Sports Taping & Dry Needling Specialist (STDNS)

Overview

The STDNS is a specialized credential designed for fitness professionals, therapists, and rehab specialists who want to integrate sports taping techniques and dry needling protocols into performance, injury management, and recovery.

This advanced program blends clinical science, hands-on application, and sports performance integration, equipping practitioners to accelerate recovery, reduce pain, enhance biomechanics, and support both athletes and clinical populations.

Curriculum – Deep & Advanced Modules

Foundations of Sports Taping & Dry Needling

• History, evidence, and evolution in sports medicine

• Mechanisms of action: neuromuscular feedback, proprioception, pain modulation

• Contraindications, precautions, and safety

Clinical Anatomy & Biomechanics

• Surface anatomy and palpation mastery

• Neuromuscular pathways relevant to taping & needling

• Functional movement chains and kinetic considerations

Sports Taping Applications

• Kinesiology Taping: joint stability, muscle facilitation, edema management

• Rigid Taping: injury protection, return-to-sport stabilization

• Corrective Taping: posture correction, movement re-education

• Taping for spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, ankle, hip injuries

Dry Needling Applications

• Trigger point theory & myofascial pain science

• Needling techniques: superficial vs. deep dry needling

• Region-specific application: spine, shoulder, hip, lower limb

• Clinical indications: tendinopathies, chronic pain, muscle spasms

Integration with Sports Performance & Rehab

• Taping & needling for injury prevention in athletes

• Return-to-play protocols with adjunctive therapy

• Combining manual therapy, corrective exercise, and neuromuscular training

• Case-based integration: post-surgical, chronic pain, and high-performance athletes

Advanced Case Studies & Practical Sessions

• Taping for ACL rehab, shoulder instability, tennis elbow, ankle sprain

• Dry needling for hamstring tightness, low back pain, rotator cuff injuries

• Real-world scenarios: athlete management, post-competition recovery, chronic conditions