Jonathan Hobbs
Hobbs Masters Needling Series (UK) | United KingdomPhysiotherapist | Lecturer
BSc MSc MCSP MHCPC MAACP MBMAS FHEA
Jonathan Hobbs is a distinguished physiotherapist, lecturer with over two decades of expertise in physiotherapy, dry needling, and clinical education. With a background that spans elite sports, academic institutions, and international consultancy, he has significantly contributed to the fields of physiotherapy, dry needling, and musculoskeletal medicine.
Renowned for his expertise in needling techniques, musculoskeletal ultrasound, and acupuncture, Jonathan has played a pivotal role in training physiotherapists worldwide, including professionals in elite sports organizations such as Team GB, the English Institute of Sport, Premiership and Championship football clubs, and the PGA. His work extends to military and defense personnel, including consultancy for physiotherapists working with the British Ministry of Defence and the US Navy SEALs.
As a sought-after lecturer and international speaker, he has delivered specialist courses and workshops in various countries, providing advanced clinical education to physiotherapists and healthcare professionals. His academic contributions include guest lecturing at prestigious universities such as Keele University (UK) and the University of Tennessee (USA), where he has trained doctoral candidates in advanced needling techniques and musculoskeletal pain management.
Jonathan’s expertise in dry needling has led him to publish extensively in peer-reviewed journals and medical publications, with several chapters in leading textbooks. He has also served as an expert witness in clinical litigation cases, providing authoritative insights on needling-related adverse events.
MSK Sonographer – Sports Medicine Ultrasound Group (2022)
MSc Acupuncture (Merit) – Coventry University (2004)
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy (First Class) – Keele University (1999)
VTCT Fitness Instructor – South Birmingham College (1993)
Professional Memberships:
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA)
Member of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP)
Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP – Advanced Member)
British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS)
Senior Fellow of the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT – Acupuncturist/Tutor)
Jonathan is the Director and Lead Tutor at Acupuncture Training Providers Ltd, where he is responsible for designing and delivering accredited acupuncture/dry needling courses at the highest level. His courses, recognized internationally, provide physiotherapists with advanced training in acupuncture and dry needling techniques.
Key Responsibilities:
Development and delivery of Level 7 accredited acupuncture training.
Providing AACP-accredited foundation and CPD courses.
Clinical education for physiotherapists in acupuncture and dry needling.
Lead acupuncture tutor for the British Ministry of Defence and English Institute of Sport (Team GB).
Consultant for elite sports physiotherapists, including professionals from Team GB, PGA, and Premiership/Championship soccer clubs.
International educator, delivering specialist training to physiotherapists in the NFL and US Navy SEALs.
Jonathan has taught over 2,000 physical therapists worldwide through the AACP. He is responsible for delivering foundation and CPD courses to physiotherapists, ensuring the highest standard of clinical education.
As an external lecturer at Keele University, Jonathan teaches musculoskeletal pain management and cadaveric anatomy to medical students, integrating advanced needling techniques into academic curricula.
Jonathan lectures postgraduate doctoral candidates on dry needling mechanisms and clinical reasoning, contributing to the education of future physiotherapy professionals in the US.
Consultant for integrating needling in injury management for elite sports teams.
Provides musculoskeletal ultrasound diagnosis for sports injuries.
Delivers expert witness reports and litigation services related to acupuncture.
As Chair and Board Member, Jonathan played a pivotal role in shaping the UK's largest acupuncture and dry needling association, ensuring the integration of acupuncture into modern physiotherapy practice.
Jonathan has held multiple academic positions, including:
Academic Consultant – Newman University (2022 – 2024): Developed BSc/MSc Physiotherapy programs.
Lecturer in Physiotherapy – Glyndwr University (2017 – 2018): Led physiotherapy and injury management modules.
External Examiner – Glyndwr University (2014 – 2017): Oversaw academic standards in physiotherapy education.
Senior Lecturer – Derby University (2006 – 2015): Taught courses on sports injuries, complementary medicine, and rehabilitation.
Lecturer – Staffordshire University (2002 – 2003): Led the MSc Clinical Biomechanics program.
Jonathan is an accomplished researcher and author, with numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals, textbooks, and physiotherapy guidelines.
Anatomy for Needling (Volumes 1-4, 2023) – A leading reference for acupuncture practitioners.
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Guidelines on Pneumothorax & Acupuncture (2016, 2023).
Acupuncture in the Treatment of Chronic Asthma – Quasi-experimental study (2004).
The Physiology of Acupuncture – A Comprehensive Guide to Sports Physiology & Injury Management (Elsevier, 2020).
Applied Anatomy for Acupuncture – Published in Springer Biomedical Visualization (2024).
Regular contributor to Physiotimes, Acupuncture in Physiotherapy, and Co-Kinetic.
Jonathan is a frequent keynote speaker at international conferences and medical summits, covering topics such as:
Acupuncture & Dry Needling in Sports Performance – Physio Excellence Conference, India (2022)
Acupuncture in Paediatrics – Annual Conference of the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists (2013)
Dry Needling for Myofascial Pain – COPA, ExCel London (2017, 2018)
With an extensive career spanning clinical practice, academic leadership, elite sports consultancy, and research, Jonathan Hobbs is recognized as a leading authority in acupuncture, physiotherapy, and musculoskeletal medicine. His contributions to clinical education and professional development continue to shape the future of dry needling in physiotherapy globally.
