Injection Therapy Course

The Diploma in Injection Therapy course was designed and presented by Stephanie Saunders FCSP FSOM in 1995 and was the first course to provide training in injection therapy for chartered physiotherapists in the UK. Since then several thousand health care clinicians, including osteopaths, chiropractors and podiatrists have participated in training in this skill.

The course covers techniques for common peripheral musculoskeletal conditions based on accurate anatomical and differential diagnosis knowledge, and offers essential safety precautions together with appropriate additional advice for prevention of recurrence. A visit to an anatomy department provides vital skills in appropriate needle placement. The best selling textbook, Injection Techniques in Musculoskeltal Medicine by Stephanie Saunders and Steve Longworth is provided on the course.

Aims:

to introduce clinicians already competent in musculoskeletal medicine to the advanced skills of injection therapy
to update in the relevant literature on the subject
to review functional and surface anatomy related to needle placement
to instruct in the principles of pharmacology of the drugs used
to advise on the indications and contraindications of injection therapy
to train in the practical use of injections in the treatment of common peripheral articular and peri-articular lesions
to clarify legal and ethical considerations of injection therapy

Learning outcomes: by the end of the course the student will be able to:

competently select patients suitable for injection therapy
communicate effectively regarding treatment choice and clinical outcomes of injection therapy
confidently assess the advantages and disadvantages of injection therapy
demonstrate good aseptic techniques in the application of the treatment
show skilful practical application of needle placement
recognise warning signs of adverse reactions to the drugs used and initiate appropriate management
clearly define all aspects of post-injection aftercare and rehabilitation
demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning through a synthesis of practical, theoretical and experiential learning
critically evaluate injection therapy as an adjunct to other treatment

Entry Criteria:

Injection therapy is an advanced treatment technique. This course is open to a limited number of clinicians (medical doctors, chartered physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors and podiatrists) who fulfill the entry criteria and produce the appropriate documentation at the time of application:

Minimum five years post-qualification working experience
Minimum two years musculoskeletal clinical practice
Current certificate in resuscitation
Current certificate of vaccination for Hepatitis B
Written confirmation from employer that they allow the use of injection therapy in the workplace
Written confirmation from medical mentors or holders of the Diploma in Injection Therapy who agree to supervise intermodular clinical practice

Some comments from students – from beginners to advanced levels

Tutors are very knowledgable, approachable and encouraging. They challenge our knowledge in a non-threatening way

Good patient stories helped my understanding

I didn’t expect to feel confident to try injections following the first weekend’s tuition – I was wrong!

Thanks very much – it was an enjoyable, relaxing environment which was a great learning experience. Very informative and look forward to starting injecting

Being able to use injection therapy as part of my clinical practice has completely changed my professional life

I cannot envisage treating MSK conditions without the additional use of injection therapy