PAANZ

08/09/2026

Upcoming event! Acupuncture Vignette, presented by Michelle Hall.

Date and time: Thursday, 17 September 2026 | 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Location: online, via Zoom

Price: PAANZ Members $20, PNZ Members $45

Register here: https://pnz.org.nz/Event?Action=View&Event_id=4348

Course Description:
Vignette evenings are interactive sessions in which participants discuss clinical cases in breakout groups. You do not need to prepare or present your own case study, but you will be expected to contribute to the discussions. This vignette will NOT be recorded.

Michelle runs AcuPhysio Ltd, a physiotherapy and acupuncture practice in Christchurch. She integrates pain science, acupuncture, dry needling and nervous-system regulation with a deep understanding of the mind-body connection. With decades of clinical experience, Michelle looks beyond symptoms to identify the patterns, beliefs and protective responses that may keep people stuck, helping them regain control of their healing.

In this live, Michelle will present three complex cases drawn from her clinical practice:
- Persistent ear and facial pain accompanied by a recurrent systemic rash
- Yoga-related hip and groin pain that developed into bilateral and neural symptoms
- A shoulder injury involving a partial supraspinatus tear and bursitis

Participants will explore the evolving presentations, clinical reasoning, acupuncture and dry-needling approaches, physiotherapy management and patient outcomes. They will be encouraged to share their clinical reasoning and suggest possible treatment approaches.

Please email [email protected] with any queries

02/09/2026

Hi everyone,
Thank you to everyone who has reached out and expressed interest in our new Certificate in Acupuncture and Dry Needling for Physiotherapists (Cert.ADNP). I am very excited to let you know that official registration is now open!

To formally enroll in the certification pathway, all you need to do is register for our first mandatory online module. This foundational webinar focuses on Clinical Safety, which is an essential requirement before progressing to the face to face practical courses.

Here are the key details to get started:
Registration Link: https://pnz.org.nz/Event?Action=View&Event_id=4518
First Module: Safety in Acupuncture Needling (Online Webinar)
Date: Tuesday 6 October 2026 7pm

As a quick reminder, registering via the link above officially signs you up for the entire Cert.ADNP pathway. Your initial enrolment fee covers this safety webinar, your second foundational online module, all assessment marking, and your final certificate issuance. Please also remember that you must hold and maintain a current PAANZ membership for the duration of your studies. If you are yet to be a PAANZ member, please contact PNZ on steps to sign up.

If you have any questions about the pathway, the grandfathering process for previous courses, or the registration link, please email [email protected].
We look forward to seeing you online on the 6th of October as we kick off this exciting new chapter for physiotherapists!

01/09/2026

Upcoming event! PAANZ Foundation Acupuncture Part A - Introduction to Needling in Physiotherapy, presented by Susan Kohut.

Dates and times: Saturday 17 October, from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sunday 18 October 2026, from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Location: Physio-Logic, Ellerslie, Auckland

Register here: https://pnz.org.nz/Event?Action=View&Event_id=4482

Course Description:
Part A is a two-day theory and practical course designed for physiotherapists with dry needling training only, as well as those with no prior acupuncture or needling experience. It also provides a structured refresher for clinicians wishing to revisit the core principles underpinning safe, effective needling practice.
The course commences with an online pre-course lecture focusing on the safe application of needling. This includes informed consent, patient screening, skin disinfection and its clinical rationale, safe needle handling, and first aid principles relevant to needling-related incidents.

The two-day face-to-face component develops practical competence and clinical reasoning in needling practice. Content includes an overview of needling techniques, an introduction to acupuncture concepts, and foundational neuroscience principles to support clinical decision-making. Participants are introduced to acupuncture meridian pathways and will practise needling a selection of commonly used acupuncture points.

The emphasis of Part A is to support clinicians who are new to needling to broaden their clinical skill set beyond trigger point dry needling, while developing an understanding of acupuncture-related concepts that enhance treatment selection and patient outcomes. Participants will gain insight into the mechanisms of action, potential risks, and expected responses associated with needling interventions.

Throughout the course, participants are required to demonstrate safe needling of acupuncture points, discuss relevant tissue innervation, and explain the clinical application of each point. Case study analysis is integrated to support clinical reasoning around when and how acupuncture may be incorporated to complement physiotherapy management and enhance patient outcomes.

Pricing:
PAANZ members: $600
PNZ members: $750
Non-PNZ members: $900

Please email [email protected] with any queries

Part A is a two-day theory and practical course designed for physiotherapists with dry needling training only, as well as those with no prior acupuncture or needling experience. It also provides a structured refresher for clinicians wishing to revisit the core principles underpinning safe, effective...

01/09/2026

Upcoming event! PAANZ Anatomy Lab, presented by PAANZ Education Team!

Date and time: Friday, 16 October 2026 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Location: University of Auckland, Auckland

Register here: https://pnz.org.nz/Event?Action=View&Event_id=4485

Course Description:
Join PAANZ for an immersive anatomy laboratory experience at the Auckland Medical School, designed specifically for physiotherapists seeking to enhance the safety, precision, and clinical effectiveness of their acupuncture and needling practice.

This hands-on workshop provides a unique opportunity to study regional anatomy through cadaveric specimens, allowing participants to directly visualise the anatomical structures encountered during acupuncture and dry needling. Participants will explore the relationships between acupuncture points, musculoskeletal anatomy, neurovascular structures, internal organs, and other clinically significant tissues that influence safe needle placement.

The laboratory sessions bridge the gap between theoretical anatomy and clinical practice, reinforcing safe needling depth, angle, and direction while highlighting anatomical variations that may influence treatment decisions. Particular emphasis is placed on high-risk anatomical regions, improving practitioner confidence and clinical reasoning when selecting needling techniques. Guided by experienced anatomy educators and physiotherapy acupuncture instructors, participants will gain a deeper appreciation of three-dimensional anatomy that cannot be fully replicated through textbooks or imaging alone.

This course is suitable for physiotherapists at all stages of their acupuncture training, from those developing foundational skills to experienced practitioners seeking to refine their anatomical knowledge and maintain the highest standards of safe practice. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a greater understanding of applied anatomy for acupuncture, enhanced confidence in needle placement, and improved clinical reasoning to support safe and effective patient care.

Pricing:
PAANZ members: $60
PNZ members: $90
Non-PNZ members: $100

Please email [email protected] with any queries

Join PAANZ for an immersive anatomy laboratory experience at the Auckland Medical School, designed specifically for physiotherapists seeking to enhance the safety, precision, and clinical effectiveness of their acupuncture and needling practice.

01/09/2026

Upcoming event! Needling Over the Thorax, presented by Jillian McDowell.

Date and time: Sunday, 11 October 2026 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location: AUT North Campus, Auckland

Register here: https://pnz.org.nz/Event?Action=View&Event_id=4347

Course Description:
1. Review the anatomy of the lung fields
2. Review key acupuncture point and trigger point locations over the lung fields
3. Review needling techniques to ensure safety of practice over the lung fields
4. Review patient screening for acupuncture
5. Review the practice of gaining of appropriate informed consent
6. Reflect on the current literature on pneumothoraces and its implications to current practice

Prerequisites: This course is open to PAANZ members with full acupuncture skills, or physiotherapists who have completed the full PAANZ Foundation Acupuncture series, or dry needling trained physiotherapists who have completed Trevor Montgomery's Advanced Upper Body Dry Needling course (minimum requirement). Participants who do not meet the above prerequisites are ineligible to enrol.

Pricing:
PAANZ members: $300
PNZ members: $375
Non-PNZ members: $450
Please email [email protected] with any queries

26/08/2026

Upcoming event! Integrating Needling, Manual Therapy and Pain Science In The Treatment of Cervicogenic Headaches, presented by Jillian McDowell.

Date and time: Saturday, 10 October 2026 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location: AUT North Campus, Auckland

Register here: https://pnz.org.nz/Event?Action=View&Event_id=4335

Course Description:
1. Review key mechanisms of manual therapy and needling in the light of current pain sciences
2. Discuss combining needling with manual therapy
3. Review current safety guidelines for needling
4. Review contraindications to manual therapy
5. Select multimodal treatment approaches for cervicogenic headaches

Prerequisites: This course is open to PAANZ members with full acupuncture skills, or physiotherapists who have completed the full PAANZ Foundation Acupuncture series, or dry needling trained physiotherapists who have completed Trevor Montgomery's Advanced Upper Body Dry Needling course (minimum requirement). Participants who do not meet the above prerequisites are ineligible to enrol.

Pricing:
PAANZ members: $300
PNZ members: $375
Non-PNZ members: $450

Please email [email protected] with any queries

26/08/2026

Upcoming event! Advanced Upper Body Dry Needling, presented by Trevor Montgomery.

Dates and times: Saturday 26 September, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, and Sunday 27 September 2026, 8:00 am - 3:30 pm

Location: Burwood Hospital, Christchurch

Register here: https://pnz.org.nz/Event?Action=View&Event_id=4345

Course Description:
The Advanced Dry Needling course for the Upper Half of the Body aims to teach course participants how to needle myofascial components from T7 upward. This is a practical course, including the teaching of advanced techniques around the scapulothoracic region, shoulder, upper limbs, and neck, with particular emphasis on safety and efficacy. One of the major goals is for participants to integrate the use of dry needling into their clinical reasoning process and their clinical approach to treat common (and not so common) upper body conditions.

Case studies will be discussed to further enhance the clinical reasoning behind the use of dry needling and its integration with other physiotherapy skill sets, such as manual therapy, muscle balancing, exercise prescription, and postural advice.

Having taught over 240 introductory and advanced courses for AUT, PAANZ, the APA of Australia and Asia over the last 18 years, Trevor brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his teaching in this specialty area.

Pricing:
PAANZ members: $635
PNZ members: $750
Non-PNZ members: $900

Please email [email protected] with any queries.

26/08/2026

Upcoming event! Acupuncture Vignette, presented by Michelle Hall.

Date and time: Thursday, 17 September 2026 | 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Location: online, via Zoom

Price: PAANZ Members and PNZ Members $20

Register here: https://pnz.org.nz/Event?Action=View&Event_id=4348

Course Description:
Vignette evenings are an interactive session. You do not have to provide a case study and there will be breakout groups to discuss the cases brought up for discussion.

Michelle runs a physiotherapy practice in Christchurch - AcuPhysio Ltd. She integrates pain science, needling, and nervous system regulation with a deep understanding of the mind–body connection. With decades of clinical experience, she is known for looking beyond symptoms to uncover the patterns, beliefs, and protective responses that keep people stuck, and for helping people take back control of their healing.

The case studies she will be discussing in the upcoming vignette will draw from the clients and experiences she has had.

Please email [email protected] with any queries

Send a message to learn more

03/08/2026

For all the dry needlers out there!
Our Wellington event was a success! Don't miss out on the Auckland event coming up soon.
If you currently needle your patients and have not done needling CPD in 3 years, here is your chance to update your skills and meet your requirements.

​Upcoming Event: ‘Foundation Acupuncture for Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy’
Presented by Gabriel Tan.
​The course has sufficient numbers and will be going ahead, so secure your spot today before it fills up!

​location: AUT Akoranga, Auckland
Date: Saturday 22 August & Sunday 23 August 2026
Register here: https://pnz.org.nz/Event?Action=View&Event_id=4470
​Pricing:
​PAANZ members: $600
​PNZ members: $750
​Non-PNZ members: $900

​Course Description:
This foundation course is designed specifically for physiotherapists who are already comfortable with needling, or those who have completed a basic dry needling weekend and want to apply their skills with a much stronger physiotherapy clinical rationale.
​Often, physios find that local needling of painful muscles provides great immediate relief, but they are actively looking for ways to make those results last longer than a few days. This course bridges that gap. We expand on the clinical reasoning behind point selection, showing how to modify muscle function to create better biomechanics and deliver more sustained outcomes.
​Taught entirely from a practical, clinician's perspective, this weekend skips the heavy academic theory. Instead, we focus on what actually works in a busy musculoskeletal or sports clinic setting. The curriculum uses real-world case studies from professional sports, ensuring you have plenty of skills to take back and use with patients on Monday morning.

​A Step Forward for Your Career:
As a significant update for your career progression, this course counts officially toward the new internationally recognised Cert.ADNP accreditation pathway. This is the new standard for physiotherapy acupuncture and dry needling, filling the gap left by the discontinued AUT postgraduate certificate.
​Please email [email protected] with any queries.

03/08/2026

Upcoming event! ‘Acupuncture Cupping Webinar’, presented by Susan Kohut.

Date and time: Tuesday 18th August 2026 | 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Location: online, via zoom.

Register here: https://pnz.org.nz/Event?Action=View&Event_id=4468

Course Description:
Unlock the Power of Myofascial Cupping
From elite athletes to social media feeds, cupping is everywhere right now, and your patients have noticed. If you want to confidently answer their questions, master the correct application, and back it all up with evidence-based practice, this is the webinar for you. Even better, it is the perfect way to accelerate patient recovery and improve range of motion, all while giving your own hands a much-needed break. Join us for an exclusive, practical webinar exploring the science and art of Myofascial Cupping.
What You Will Learn:
- The Science and Evidence: The physiological mechanisms behind cupping, backed by key research and real-world clinical success, so you can answer every patient question with confidence.
- Safe and Effective Practice: Best practices for application, safety protocols, and proper cup hygiene.
- Effortless Integration: How to easily incorporate durable silicon cups into your current routine.
The Best Part? Cupping does the heavy lifting for you. It saves your hands from burnout while delivering incredible results for your clients. Whether you want to expand your clinical toolkit, meet the growing demand from your patients, or protect your longevity as a practitioner, this webinar will give you the tools to start cupping effectively right away.

Pricing:
• PAANZ member rate $20
• PNZ member rate $30
• Non-PNZ member rate $45
Please email [email protected] with any queries.