In this 16 hour lab-based course, the clinician will learn how to integrate dry needling techniques with a manual therapy focused approach to address movement impairments of the cervical spine and thoracic spine. Emphasis will be placed on specific advanced dry needling strategies that facilitate manual therapy to improve dysfunction of the cervical and thoracic spine. This course will specifically address the atlanto-occipital joint, atlanto-axial joint, mid cervical facet joints, cervicothoracic junction, and the thoracic joints. Advanced manual therapy labs will focus on cervical and thoracic mobilizations, manipulations, and muscle energy techniques. The integrated approach to dealing with complex diagnosis will be reviewed through a discussion of case studies, current research, and the instructor’s specialty clinical expertise. Patient directed self corrective techniques will be described to improve carryover of manual interventions and drive progress. Areas of the body to be covered in class include: Local Pathologies of the cervical and thoracic spine (specific mm, nerves, joint restrictions/ pathology, area specific pathology, radiculopathy) - Atlanto-occipital Pathologies (Rectus capitus posterior minor, recuts capitus posterior major, capitus oblique superior, sub occipital nerve, greater occipital nerve, 3rd occipital nerve, atlanto-occipital joint restrictions) - Atlanto-axial (capitus oblique inferior, captifs oblique superior, levator scap, middle scalene, greater occipital nerve, atalnto-axial joint rotation restrictions) - Mid-cervical joints (C3-C6) (anterior scalene, middle scalene, post scalene, levator scapulae, Median Nerve, Radial Nerve, Ulnar Nerve, individual nerve roots, mid-cervical closing restrictions, mid cervical opening restrictions, uncovertebral joint restrictions) - Cervico-Thoracic joint (levator scap, anterior scalene, middle scalene, post scalene, serrates posterior, rhomboids, 1st rib restrictions, 2nd rib restrictions, CTJ closing restrictions CTJ opening restrictions) - Thoracic- Spine (Trapezius upper/middle/lower, PVSMs, Rhomboids, longissimus cervicis, TX PVSMs, Thoracic facet joint restrictions, costovertebral inhalation/exhalation restrictions)