SMA FOUNDATIONAL COURSES

The Psoas: Structure, Function & Treatment (Live, Online Webinar)

The psoas major is a crucial structure to understand as it is involved with the stability and balance of the lumbar spine, pelvis and hip joint. Since it is in such a central location in the body, imbalances in this muscle can impact the entire body, but it is especially important to understand its influence when working with low back, hip and groin pain.

This class will cover functional anatomy of the psoas major and it will look at its role in spinal and hip mechanics. We will explore how imbalances of this muscle impact the spine and pelvis and how the psoas can be involved with injury due to lordosis, spinal rotations, spinal bends and pelvic tilts. In addition, this class will explore the channel and organ relationships of this muscle to help integrate the anatomy into the very important TCM channel system. Comprehensive treatment approaches will be explored using local, adjacent and distal acupuncture, myofascial release techniques and a few corrective exercises.

Common Injuries to the Neck & Shoulder

The practitioner taking this sports medicine acupuncture foundational course will understand that the neck and shoulder are observed as one complex and must not be separated in assessment or treatment. Injury to the neck will often involve shoulder symptoms and conversely, shoulder pain frequently stems from the cervical spine. Common neck and shoulder injuries that will be discussed include: cervical degeneration, fallen pillow syndrome (luozhen), cervical strain and sprain, muscle tension headaches, rotator cuff and bicipital tendinopathy, as well as common muscle imbalance syndromes that are contributing factors to many other neck and shoulder injuries. In this workshop, we will examine injuries from a mechanical “how and why” using orthopedic physical evaluations and manual muscle testing to assess the integrity of the musculoskeletal system.

Innovative treatment protocols will be introduced consisting of needle techniques to the involved motor and acupuncture points to balance the somatic system according to both TCM and western biomedical principles.

The experience of this workshop will refine the practitioner’s assessment and treatment skills, expanding their knowledge of needle techniques and greatly enhancing their success rate in treating neck and shoulder injuries.

Common Injuries to the Low Back and Hip

The practitioner taking this sports medicine acupuncture foundational course will understand that the low back and hip are observed as one complex and must not be separated in assessment or treatment. Injury to the low back will often involve hip symptoms and conversely, hip pain frequently stems from the lumbar spine. Rather than viewing the low back and hip as distinct, it is of great benefit to treatment outcomes to view the low back and hip complex as one unit. Imbalance of the musculature acting on the hip and low back will be discussed with treatment protocols to help correct these muscle imbalances and alleviate pain. In this workshop, we will examine injuries from a mechanical “how and why” using orthopedic physical evaluations and manual muscle testing to assess the integrity of the musculoskeletal system.

Advanced needle techniques, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitated stretching and myofascial release techniques are also presented and practiced.

Common Injuries to the Lower Extremity

A review of referred pain from lumbar spondylosis will be discussed due to its relationship with several lower extremity pain patterns. Many sport and orthopedic related injuries will be covered such as greater trochanter bursitis, adductor and hamstring strains, knee pain including cartilage and ligament injuries, shin splints, ankle sprain and fractures. We will examine the mechanical “how and why” injury occurs using orthopedic physical evaluations and manual muscle testing to assess the musculoskeletal system.

Advanced needle techniques, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitated stretching and myofascial release techniques are also presented and practiced.

This sports medicine acupuncture foundational course greatly enhances the success rate in treating lower extremity injuries by combining western and eastern diagnostic and treatment techniques.

Assessment & Treatment of Neck & Rotator Cuff Injuries

The neck and shoulder should be observed as one complex and not separated in assessment or treatment. Injury to the neck will often involve shoulder symptoms and conversely, shoulder pain frequently involves the cervical and thoracic spine. The lower cervical nerves innervate the shoulder and many muscles of the shoulder act on the neck e.g. levator scapula, upper trapezius, scalenes, omohyoid. The rotator cuff muscles are important in shoulder movements and in maintaining shoulder joint stability. These muscles arise from the scapula and connect to the head of the humerus. The length-tension relationship of these muscles is dependent on the postural positioning of the scapula. Rotator cuff injuries are the most common shoulder injury seen by acupuncturists where the injured tissue usually presents as local pain. Local pain will need to be differentiated between having excess (shi) and deficient (xu) conditions.

Manual Muscle Testing for the Acupuncturist (MMT)

MMT I: Neck, Shoulder and Upper Extremity
MMT II: Low Back, Hip and Lower Extremity

Nerve Entrapment Syndromes: Neck and Arm Pain (Jingbu Shoubi Tong)

Referred pain is a common patient complaint seen by acupuncturists. One of the most challenging aspects of a clinician’s work is to accurately determine the primary injury causing the patient’s neck, shoulder, and arm pain. In order to achieve the best treatment results for patient rehabilitation, it is essential for the practitioner to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Orthopedic evaluations, manual muscle testing, and anatomical knowledge is imperative in helping the practitioner to determine the source of the patient’s radicular or non-radicular pain.

The Nerve Entrapment Syndromes: Neck and Arm Pain (Jingbu Shoubi Tong) seminar will help the practitioner to identify, diagnose and treat radicular and other sources of paresthesia pain patterns. Myofascial (jingjin) channels and postural imbalances will be assessed through the lens of excess (shi) and deficient (xu) signs and symptoms. This information leads to successful treatment plan, which supports proper needle technique and unique treatment protocols. These protocols include acupuncture to motor, trigger and traditional points to not only treat the injury, but to treat the patient with the injury. The acupuncturist in this seminar will learn assessment and treatment techniques that will help get the patient resolve nerve entrapment syndromes and get out of neck, shoulder and arm pain for long-lasting results.

3-Day Cadaver Lab for the Acupuncturist

Each participant will be involved in a 3-day cadaver dissection. There will be four cadaver dissections occurring simultaneously with 5-6 participant dissectors per cadaver specimen. Each participant in the group will have the opportunity to dissect, palpate and needle important structures under the guidance of the Brian Lau and Matt Callison. The opening of each day will begin with a short presentation on the channel systems myofascial structures, motor points, target tissue, nerve pathways, needle depths and goals of the day’s dissection. Each practitioner dissects a region of the body to its completion in a way that will result in a learning opportunity for every member of the group.

The focus of this class is to discover anatomical insights, learn how injuries can occur, what tissues are involved, how myofascial tissues connect to one another and to create open forum discussions between dissection groups. Comparative anatomy between specimens is an incredible learning opportunity. Nothing can replace doing dissection first hand, with your own hands and eyes. This class is imperative for the acupuncturist as you will return to your practice with a new vision of your patients that helps with improved treatment outcomes.

Priority, early registration for this lab will be given to students currently matriculated in the SMAC Program. We highly recommend this course for the acupuncturist as you will return to your practice with a new vision of your patients that helps with improved treatment outcomes.

Trigger Point Needling for the Head, Neck and Shoulder

This is a hands-on workshop that focuses on the identification, palpation, and needling of myofascial trigger points associated with the head, neck, and shoulder. The techniques learned in the seminar are invaluable in the treatment of many pain conditions and are easily incorporated into an existing acupuncture practice. At the conclusion of the seminar the practitioner will have an anatomical understanding of trigger points, as well as peripheral and central sensitization. They will have an understanding of the role trigger points play in the channel system as well as key clinical signs to recognize when employing trigger point needling. Lastly they will have gained confidence in needling sensitive structures of the head, neck, chest, and upper back outside of their standard education.

Adhesive Capsulitis: An Acupuncturist’s Guide in Assessment & Treatment

Adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder, is a painful, inflammatory condition characterized by loss of active and passive shoulder motion secondary to thickening and contracture of the joint capsule. Numerous conditions can produce symptoms similar to adhesive capsulitis including rotator cuff tears, glenohumeral arthritis, crystalline arthropathy and cervical radiculopathy. In this presentation, we will examine important assessment strategies that will differentiate adhesive capsulitis from these other conditions. This will lead the acupuncturist to an effective treatment strategy that will involve local, adjacent and distal point prescriptions in addition to myofascial release techniques, facilitated stretching techniques and basic rehabilitative exercises.

Motor Point Needle Protocols for Vertebral & Sacral Fixations

Motor entry point locations and needle protocols will be shown for the muscles associated with vertebral and sacral fixations. The Psoas, Gluteus Maximus, Popliteus, Middle Deltoid, Lower Trapezius, Splenius Capitis, Semispinalis Capitis and Splenius Cervicis will be presented. In addition, supportive muscles for vertebral and sacral fixations will be presented, such as the transversospinalis group located at the Huatuojiaji point, the suboccipital muscles, the longissimus thoracis (inner UB channel), iliocostalis thoracis (outer UB channel) and the levator scapula. The practitioner will see many motor entry points in human muscle tissue from AcuSport Education’s cadaver dissections. Observing the motor nerve entrance into the muscle can help the practitioner enhance their skills and appreciation of needle depth.

Motor Point Needle Protocols for Low Back, Hip, and Groin Muscles

Motor entry point locations and needle protocols are shown for many low back, hip and groin muscles. Matt Callison discusses the latest research on motor entry point locations and needle depths. The practitioner will see many motor entry points in human muscle tissue from AcuSport Education’s cadaver dissections including a bifurcated piriformis and scitaic nerve. Observing the location of the motor nerve entrance into the muscle can help the practitioner enhance their skills and appreciation of needle depth.

Motor Point Needle Protocols for Lower Extremity Muscles

This video presentation discusses the latest research on muscle motor entry point (MEP) locations, how to find the MEP location and effective needle protocols for these points. This presentation discusses over 33 muscle entry points of the lower extremity and foot. This presentation has many cadaver specimen videos showing the motor entry point into the muscle.

Matt Callison is a pioneer in motor point acupuncture and has spent over 30 years researching, refining and treating muscle motor entry points through the lens of western biomedicine and traditional Chinese medicine. Using surface electrical stimulation, research articles and documenting the locations of muscle motor entry points through his own cadaver dissections has been a career long endeavor. Matt Callison is a master in needling and is well known for designing very effective and innovative treatment protocols that includes MEP’s with traditional acupuncture points.

Understanding where the motor nerve enters the muscle is very useful for the TCM practitioner to understand and can provide insight into needle depth and obtaining “de qi” sensation.

Motor Point Needle Protocols for Neck, Shoulder and Upper Extremity Muscles

Motor entry point locations and needle protocols for over 50 muscles of the neck, shoulder and upper extremity. In addition, the practitioner will see many motor entry points in human tissue that are shown from AcuSport Education’s cadaver dissection. Observing the motor nerve entrance into the muscle can help the practitioner enhance their skills and appreciation of needle depth. Muscles not included in this recording are the pectoralis major, rhomboids minor and major and the middle and lower trapezius. These muscles are shown and practiced in the live-seminar SMAC courses under guidance.