Integrative Dry Needling Institute

What Integrative Dry Needling Institute does

Integrative Dry Needling Institute, LLC (d/b/a IDN) is a privately held continuing education provider founded in 2013 by Dr. Frank Gargano and headquartered in Solon, Ohio. The company trains licensed healthcare professionals—primarily physical therapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, and athletic trainers—on the proprietary Neurologic Dry Needling (NDN) treatment model. NDN is described as a neuroscience-based dry needling methodology centered on peripheral nerve mapping and neurogenic inflammation rather than on traditional myofascial trigger point identification, with a clinical taxonomy of three neuro-trigger point types (Homeostatic, Paravertebral, Symptomatic) and integration of Quantitative Sensory Testing for prognosis. The institute also offers adjunct training in MSK diagnostic ultrasound (the "5 P's" system), electrical nerve stimulation, and Neuro-Release Treatment (IASTM/percussion/cupping).

IDN's product surface spans a Foundation Course ($1,295, three days, full-body treatment), an Advanced Course ($1,095, certification-bearing), and seven specialty courses covering upper extremity and hand, lumbopelvic, cranio-cervical, persistent pain, and tendinopathy, priced between $497 and $1,295. Course bundles (e.g., Foundation + Advanced at $2,190, Foundation + Advanced + Persistent Pain at $2,990) target price-sensitive buyers and state-specific licensure requirements (Washington 75+ hours, New Jersey 80+ hours). Two formal certifications (CIDN and CIDN-UE) credential practitioners, who are then listed in an IDN-hosted practitioner directory.

The business is bootstrapped, instructor-led, and distribution is multi-channel: direct-to-consumer website registration, on-site course hosting at hospitals, PT networks, and universities (e.g., Duke, Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, Akron Children's Hospital, IvyRehab, ATI, FYZICAL), and 24/7 home study online courses. Revenue derives almost entirely from one-time course and certification fees. CEU approvals have been obtained across all 50 U.S. states plus Puerto Rico and Nova Scotia through AOTA (Occupational Therapy), BOC (Athletic Trainers), PACE (Chiropractors), and multiple state PT boards, which functions as both a regulatory moat and a primary route to clinician adoption.

Name

Integrative Dry Needling Institute

Legal name

Integrative Dry Needling Institute, LLC

Website

https://integrativedryneedling.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Integrative Dry Needling Institute (IDN) is a privately held continuing education provider that trains physical therapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, and athletic trainers in its proprietary Neurologic Dry Needling methodology through in-person courses, online home study, and CIDN certifications across 50 U.S. states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Continuing Education and Professional Certification

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (61171), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Massage Therapy Schools & Certification Programs (HSALANAJ)

Keywords

• Dry needling education
• Continuing medical education
• Musculoskeletal training
• Healthcare professional certification
• Neurologic dry needling

Headquarters

HQ city

Solon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Live In-Person Training Courses: In-person 2-3 day hands-on training courses for healthcare professionals. Includes Foundation, Advanced, Specialty, and MSK Ultrasound courses with pricing ranging from $497 to $1,295 per course.
2. Online/Home Study Courses: On-demand home study courses allowing clinicians to learn at their own pace with unlimited content access.
3. Course Bundles: Discounted bundled packages combining multiple courses (e.g., Foundation + Advanced Bundle at $2,190, saving $400 from individual pricing).
4. Certification Programs: Professional certification credentials (CIDN, CIDN-UE) offered upon successful completion of course requirements and examinations.
5. Dry Needling Supplies: Sale of dry needling supplies through PT United, referenced on their website.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Integrative Dry Needling Institute provides in-person and online continuing education courses in Neurologic Dry Needling (NDN), a neuroscience-based dry needling treatment approach that uses peripheral nerve mapping to address musculoskeletal dysfunction. Core offerings include the Foundation Course (3-day, $1,295), Advanced Course leading to CIDN certification ($1,095), specialty courses (upper extremity/hand, lumbopelvic, MSK ultrasound, cranio-cervical, persistent pain, neuro-release treatment) ranging from $497-$1,295, online home study courses, course bundles, and professional certifications (CIDN, CIDN-UE).

Product overview

The Integrative Dry Needling Institute offers a comprehensive education and training platform centered on Neurologic Dry Needling (NDN) techniques. The core offering consists of the Foundation Course and Advanced Course leading to CIDN certification, supplemented by multiple specialty courses including Upper Extremity & Hand, Lumbopelvic Clinical Integration, MSK Ultrasound Tendinopathy, Cranio-Cervical, and Neuro-Release Treatment. The institute provides both in-person live courses and home study/online learning options, along with bundled packages for state licensing requirements (75+ hours for Washington, 80 hours for New Jersey). Additional offerings include CIDN-UE upper extremity certification, practitioners directory, members area with research access, CEU accreditation services, and Dr. Ma's Neurologic Dry Needling textbook. The unique systemic approach focuses on neurogenic inflammation using peripheral nerve mapping rather than traditional trigger point methods.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Foundation Course - Neurological Dry Needling for Pain Management & Sports Rehabilitation A 3-day foundation course priced at $1,295 that equips participants with essential knowledge, safety protocols, and clinical skills to effectively assess and deliver dry needling treatments for painful neuromuscular conditions using a peripheral nerve mapping model. Targeted at licensed healthcare professionals and enables treatment of the entire body after one course.
• Advanced Course - Neurologic Dry Needling for Pain Management and Performance Enhancement A 3-day lab-based certification course priced at $1,095 ($200 discount for Foundation alumni) that elevates treatment of neuromusculoskeletal pain and dysfunction and leads to the CIDN credential. Targets licensed healthcare professionals seeking advanced certification.
• Complex Persistent Pain Management Course A 3-day specialty course priced at $1,295 that builds on foundational and advanced courses to integrate a comprehensive neurological approach for treating patients with complex persistent pain conditions through peripheral, central, and autonomic nervous system interplay. Aimed at clinicians who want to treat persistent pain.
• Upper Extremity & Hand Course A specialty lab-based course priced at $1,095 for licensed healthcare professionals to manage neuromusculoskeletal conditions in the upper extremity and hand using the IDN neurologic dry needling model. AOTA-approved (Provider ID#3908).
• Lumbopelvic Clinical Integration Course A 2-day advanced course (19 hours) priced at $795, built on the foundation of Neurological Dry Needling, to develop knowledge and clinical skills required to effectively diagnose and treat painful lumbopelvic conditions including pelvic floor, lumbar, lower abdomen, and anterior hip.
• MSK Ultrasound Tendinopathy Course A 2-day, 17.5 CE-hour, 95% hands-on training course priced at $895, teaching the 5 P's system of diagnostic MSK ultrasound assessment and percutaneous needle tenotomy (PNT) for tendinopathy treatment.
• Cranio-Cervical Course A 1-day live course priced at $497 (available for private group training only) and home study at $425, for clinicians with prior dry needling training to diagnose and treat painful neuromuscular conditions in the cranial, facial, and cervical regions including concussions, migraines, TMD, and cervicogenic dizziness.
• Neuro-Release Treatment (NRT) Course A 2-day lab-based manual therapy training course using IDN's neurologic model to improve movement and human performance through IASTM, Percussion/Vibration Massage, and Cupping techniques. Pairs with NRT Home Study Course for blended learning.
• CIDN-UE Certification (Upper Extremity & Hand) A complete certification package priced at $397 including expert review, case studies evaluation, 60-minute live Zoom session, and official CIDN-UE certification awarded upon successful review. Designed for practitioners focusing on upper extremity treatment.
• Home Study / Online Courses On-demand online courses including Diagnostic MSK Ultrasound, Neurologic Dry Needling for Athletes, Clinical Integration of Neurologic Dry Needling, Cranio-Cervical Home Study, NRT Home Study, Upper/Lower Extremity MSK Ultrasound Home Study ($695), and Chronic Pain Management Home Study. Unlimited content access for self-paced learning with CEU credit eligibility.
• Course Bundles Flexible course packages combining Foundation, Advanced, and specialty courses with discounted pricing, designed to meet training goals and state-mandated requirements (e.g., Washington State 75+ hours, New Jersey 80 hours).
• Practitioner Directory An online directory where patients can find and connect with IDN-certified practitioners, with complimentary marketing visibility provided to certified practitioners. Functions as both a referral channel and post-purchase value-add.
• CEU Approvals and Accreditation Continuing education unit (CEU) approvals and accreditations for Physical Therapists across 50 U.S. states plus Puerto Rico, Athletic Trainers through BOC (Provider #P8740), Chiropractors through PACE, and Occupational Therapists through AOTA (Provider ID#3908). Underpins course value and regulatory compliance for learners.
• Dr. Ma's Neurologic Dry Needling Textbook The first textbook presenting a neuroscience-based dry needling approach for pain management, prevention, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement. Transitions treatment from needling points to needling the nervous system and supports the proprietary NDN methodology taught across all courses.

Quantifiable outcome

• Full body treatment capability after single Foundation course (unlike competitors requiring multiple courses)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Northeast SeminarscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNortheast Seminars offers Live and Online Continuing Education including Mulligan Concept Courses for Healthcare Professionals. They partner with IDN as a reference partner organization.
• Mulligan MWM USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Mulligan Concept is comprised of internationally accredited instructors providing high quality courses in the United States. Recognized section of the international Mulligan Concept Teacher's Association (MCTA). IDN offers Mulligan courses as part of their manual therapy offerings.
• PT UnitedminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferenced for dry needling supplies, offering products specifically for IDN practitioners.
• IvyRehab NetworkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPhysical therapy network that hosts IDN courses for their facilities and staff.
• Renew Physical TherapyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost site for IDN courses in Seattle, Washington.
• The Training RoomminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost sites for IDN courses in multiple New Jersey locations (Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Deptford).
• Akron Children's HospitalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPediatric hospital hosting partner for IDN courses.
• Nova Southeastern UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner organization offering continuing education opportunities.
• Rocky Mountain University of Health ProfessionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner for continuing education in healthcare professions.
• Duke UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniversity hosting partner for IDN courses.
• The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor academic medical center partner organization.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• GREAT Seminars and Books: Long-running provider of in-person manual therapy and geriatric rehabilitation continuing-education courses for PTs, OTs, and ATs. Comparable as a veteran hands-on CE training peer serving musculoskeletal clinician audiences.
• North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy (NAIOMT): Provides advanced orthopedic manual therapy certification courses and residency/fellowship programs for physical therapists. Comparable as a broader-incumbent CE credentialing peer serving the same PT/AT clinician base with adjacent hands-on methodology.
• Evidence in Motion (EIM): Provides online and hybrid physical therapy continuing education, certifications, and residency/fellowship programs across multiple clinical specialties. Comparable as a broader-incumbent CE peer for the same practitioner demographic.
• Medbridge Education: Large online continuing-education and patient-engagement platform for physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals across many clinical specialties. Comparable as an incumbent digital CE peer competing for clinician training budgets and CEU hours.
• Mulligan Concept Teachers Association (Mulligan MWM USA): International manual therapy certification body offering Mobilization with Movement (MWM) courses to PTs, OTs, and ATs; IDN explicitly lists MWM USA as a reference partner. Comparable as a broader-incumbent manual-therapy CE peer for the same clinician base.
• Institute of Physical Art (IPA): Long-established manual therapy and functional movement continuing-education provider for physical therapists, offering PNF-based and other hands-on lab courses. Comparable as a veteran broader-incumbent CE training peer for the same musculoskeletal clinician audience.

Direct peers

• Active Release Techniques (ART): ART provides proprietary hands-on soft-tissue technique certification training for healthcare professionals, with a similar provider-hosted, in-person certification course model. Comparable on training format, proprietary methodology positioning, and target clinician base.
• Myopain Seminars: Founded by Jan Dommerholt, Myopain Seminars is one of the largest dedicated dry needling continuing-education providers for PTs, offering similar in-person certification-format courses in dry needling and pain science. Closest direct peer on course format, audience, and methodology positioning.
• Kinetacore (Functional Movement Systems): Founded by Edo Zylstra, Kinetacore pioneered functional dry needling and is a leading in-person dry needling and IASTM training provider serving physical therapists. Direct peer on course format, hands-on methodology, and target clinician base.

Emerging players

• International Myopain Society: Professional society advancing myofascial pain and dry needling through conferences, courses, and research dissemination. Comparable as an adjacent dry-needling knowledge hub that overlaps IDN's clinician base and competes for the same continuing-education spend.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/drfrankgargano
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCndRQGLyIKapiLrujXn05Bw
• Facebookfacebook.com/integrativedryneedling
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/integrative-dry-needling-institute-llc
• Instagraminstagram.com/integrativedryneedling
• TikToktiktok.com/@integrativedryneedling

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Integrative Dry Needling Institute