Level 1 – Foundations Course Information & Fees:
Level 1 – Foundations teaches the Gunn IMS model and less technically challenging dry needling points.
Course hours are Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm both days.
Course fees include:
- Access to online learning material, including lectures and demonstrations
- In-person training, as above
- A current course manual for the selected level(s)
- Anatomy and Theory exam (Level 1) – as per college requirements for credentialling
Level 1 Course Cost: $1250
*no additional taxes
Level 2 - Advanced Course Information & Fees:
Level 2 – Advanced teaches more advanced neuropathic assessment, clinical reasoning and more difficult dry needling points. Level 2 requires completion of Level 1.
Course hours are Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm both days.
Course fees include:
- Access to online learning material, including lectures and demonstrations
- In-person training, as above
- A current course manual for the selected level(s)
- Anatomy and Theory exam (Level 1) – as per college requirements for credentialling
Level 2 Course Cost: $1250
*no additional taxes
What The Credentialling Course Enables
After completing Level 1 & 2, clinicians are able to:
- Practice dry needling within the Gunn IMS model
- Apply dry needling safely and appropriately in clinical settings
- Understand foundational neuromusculoskeletal reasoning behind needling decisions
Core Emphases
- Safety as a non-negotiable clinical standard
- Clean field, anatomy, depth, and appropriateness
- Assessment-driven decision making
- Whole-body understanding rather than isolated point treatment
- Deeper anatomical regions
- Increased complexity and clinical integration
- Refinement of assessment and application
The Gunn IMS Difference
- University-affiliated curriculum
- Safety standards embedded at every level
- Built on decades of collective clinical expertise
Whole-body neuromusculoskeletal model
Gunn IMS teaches clinicians to understand dysfunction across interconnected systems, rather than treating isolated symptoms or points. This model helps organize clinical reasoning and supports more durable outcomes in persistent pain.
Safety as a clinical standard
Safety at Gunn IMS is not a single module or checklist. It is embedded throughout training—covering anatomy, depth, clean field, timing, and appropriateness—so safe practice becomes habit, not assumption.
Depth without shortcuts
Gunn IMS offers an accessible entry point without lowering the bar. Clinicians can begin safely, then progress into deeper regional and specialty training as their skills and experience grow—earning certification that reflects true clinical competence.
Hear What Our Students Have Said
Do I need prior dry needling experience to take Level 1?
No. Level 1 is the entry point into Gunn IMS dry needling training and does not require prior dry needling experience.
The course is designed to help clinicians begin safely, with a strong emphasis on assessment, clinical reasoning, and safety. Rather than assuming previous technique-based training, Level 1 establishes the foundational understanding needed to apply dry needling appropriately within the Gunn IMS framework.
Will I be able to practice dry needling after completing Level 1?
In most Canadian provinces – no. Levels 1 and 2 together, i.e. credentialling, are designed to meet rostering standards across Canada for physiotherapists.
The UBC Gunn IMS credentialling course is structured to ensure clinicians understand not just how to needle, but when and why it is appropriate to do so safely in clinical practice.
Is Level 1 suitable for new graduates or early-career clinicians?
Yes. Level 1 is intentionally designed to support new and early-career clinicians as well as experienced clinicians.
The training integrates dry needling into a whole-body neuromusculoskeletal framework, reinforcing assessment and clinical reasoning rather than relying on memorized techniques. This approach helps clinicians build confidence while maintaining high safety standards, whether they are early in their career of more experienced.
How is the UBC Gunn IMS Credentialling Course different from other introductory dry needling courses?
The UBC Gunn IMS Credentialling Course is not a technique-only introduction.
Instead of focusing on isolated points or protocols, the course emphasizes whole-body assessment, neuromusculoskeletal reasoning, and safety as a clinical standard. This ensures clinicians develop a thoughtful, sophisticated approach to dry needling from the outset.
Do I need to commit to Level 3 when I take Level 1 & 2?
No. Level 1 and 2 (Credentialling) can be taken without taking Level 3 (Certification – CGIMS).
Clinicians may choose to progress to Levels 3 when they are ready to deepen their skills and pursue certification, but there is no obligation to continue beyond Level 1 and 2.
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