In-person class descriptions

The Spine

Format

Live, in-person intensive

Instructor

Ian Armstrong

Credits

NCCAOM & CAB CEU/PDA approved

Assessment & Treatment of Injury: Huatuojiaji Points, Vertebral Fixations & Facilitated Segments

• You will learn how normal degenerative changes in the spine (spondylosis and a decline of the du mai qi) directly contribute to many musculoskeletal injuries and zang fu pathologies.
• You will assess the signs and symptoms, locate spondylosis, and determine whether a vertebral fixation, a commonly found perpetuating factor, is contributing to pain and dysfunction.
• Chronic musculoskeletal injury and/or zang fu pathology can create the Western concept of a facilitated segment. Understanding the segmental relationship between the spinal cord, the zang fu and the myofascial tissues, and how their neural and channel interrelationships support or harm health, will greatly benefit the TCM practitioner, even for the most difficult musculoskeletal injuries and zang fu disharmonies.
• You will learn and practice specialized Huatuojiaji needling techniques, combined with Extraordinary Vessels, acupuncture and motor point prescriptions, to release vertebral fixations, restore spinal mobility and break the perpetuating cycle of a facilitated segment.
• You will learn common postural imbalances that lead to vertebral fixations, and prescribe therapeutic exercises that reduce spinal stress and add movement to the fixated region.
• Spinal mobilization and specialized myofascial techniques that enhance and solidify the effects of acupuncture will be demonstrated and practiced.
• This workshop provides information that is integrated into the assessment and treatment workshops in Modules II–IV.

The Low Back, Hip & Groin

Format

Live, in-person intensive

Instructor

Ian Armstrong

Credits

NCCAOM & CAB CEU/PDA approved

Assessment & Treatment of Injury: Low Back, Hip & Groin

• Injuries of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex must be observed as one complex, not separated in assessment or treatment. Balancing the relationship between the lumbar spine, pelvis and hip not only decreases pain in those regions but affects most low back, hip and groin injuries.
• Many sport and work-related injuries will be discussed from assessment through treatment. We will examine the mechanical “how and why” injury occurs using postural examination, orthopedic physical examinations and manual muscle testing to assess the musculoskeletal system. Radiographs, MRI and ultrasound images will be presented and discussed.
• Referred pain is a common symptom acupuncturists treat. You will learn to accurately differentiate radicular from referred pain and locate the fixed pain site. With a correct diagnosis of the affected tissue, you can apply successful treatment protocols to the tissues and the channels and collaterals (jing luo jingjin) for long-lasting results.
• Innovative treatment protocols will be introduced, consisting of advanced needle techniques to the involved tissues.
• This workshop will refine your assessment and treatment skills, expand your knowledge of needle techniques and greatly enhance your success rate in treating low back, hip and groin injuries.

The Lower Extremity

Format

Live, in-person intensive

Instructor

Ian Armstrong

Credits

NCCAOM & CAB CEU/PDA approved

Assessment & Treatment of Injury: The Lower Extremity

• This intensive combines the information from Module III into a comprehensive assessment and treatment protocol for sports and orthopedic injuries of the lower extremity.
• Many lower extremity injuries are due to an imbalance in the lumbo-pelvic-hip region as well as the ankle/foot complex. Balancing the relationship between these structures greatly affects the outcome of treatment.
• Many sport and work-related injuries will be discussed from assessment through treatment. We will examine the mechanical “how and why” injury occurs using postural examination, orthopedic physical evaluations and manual muscle testing to assess the musculoskeletal system. Radiographs, MRI and ultrasound images will be presented with evaluative medical reports to referring physicians.
• Referred pain in the lower extremity is a common symptom acupuncturists treat. You will learn to accurately identify the primary tissue causing the referred pain, then apply successful treatment protocols to the affected channels and collaterals (jing luo) for long-lasting results.
• Innovative treatment protocols will be introduced, consisting of advanced needle techniques to the involved tissue, as well as reinforcing (bu fa) and reducing (xie fa) techniques to the motor and acupuncture points.
• This workshop will refine your assessment and treatment skills, expand your knowledge of needle techniques and greatly enhance your success rate in treating lower extremity injuries.

The Neck, Shoulder & Upper Extremity

Format

Live, in-person intensive

Instructor

Ian Armstrong

Credits

NCCAOM & CAB CEU/PDA approved

Assessment & Treatment of Injury: Neck, Shoulder & Upper Extremity

• This intensive combines the information from Module IV into a comprehensive assessment and treatment protocol for sports and orthopedic injuries of the neck, shoulder and upper extremity.
• Many neck, shoulder and upper extremity injuries involve the postural position of the spine, ribcage and lumbo-pelvic region. Balancing the relationship between these structures greatly affects the outcome of treatment.
• Many sport and work-related injuries will be discussed from assessment through treatment. We will examine the mechanical “how and why” injury occurs using postural examination, orthopedic physical evaluations and manual muscle testing to assess the musculoskeletal system. Radiographs, MRI and ultrasound images will be presented with evaluative medical reports to referring physicians.
• Referred pain in the upper extremity is a common symptom acupuncturists treat. You will learn to accurately identify the primary tissue causing the referred pain, then apply successful treatment protocols to the affected channels and collaterals (jing luo) for long-lasting results.
• Innovative treatment protocols will be introduced, consisting of advanced needle techniques to the involved tissue, as well as reinforcing (bu fa) and reducing (xie fa) techniques to the motor and acupuncture points.
• This workshop will refine your assessment and treatment skills, expand your knowledge of needle techniques and greatly enhance your success rate in treating neck, shoulder and upper extremity injuries.