CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

THE LOW BACK, HIP & GROIN

Anatomy/Palpation/Cadaver Labs

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Instructors—Matt Callison, L.Ac., Brian Lau, AP, C.SMA

Prerequisite for this live, in-person course: The student will be provided the recorded Functional Anatomy and Anatomy of the Sinew Channels video lectures by Matt Callison and Brian Lau. It is required for the student to view these recordings (approx. 6 hours total) prior to the start date of the live, in-person course. These videos will better prepare the student for information presented in the Anatomy/Palpation/Cadaver lab live, in-person course.  

Online Recordings: Fundamentals of Functional Anatomy and Anatomy of the Sinew Channels.

The videos are required viewing prior to the APC class start date.

Fundamentals of Functional Anatomy (online recording)

Instructor—Matt Callison, L.Ac.

This functional anatomy presentation is designed for the TCM practitioner that will cover postural disparities, normal and abnormal movement patterns of the lumbar, pelvis and hip joints. Postural imbalances and altered movement patterns are a frequent contributor to injury, pain and dysfunction that an acupuncturist will see.

Anatomy of the Sinew Channels (online recording)

Instructor—Brian Lau, AP, C.SMA

The anatomy of the sinew channels presentation concentrates on the classical descriptions of the jingjin from the TCM classical text, the Lingshu, and the remarkable similarities these channels have with modern day myofascial planes. This fascinating myofascial jingjin discussion is integrated into functional anatomy of the low back, hip and groin and will help the TCM practitioner to better understand channel topography and assessment and treatment protocols for subsequent acupuncture and myofascial classes classes.

Anatomy/Palpation/Cadaver (APC) Labs

These live, in-person APC labs are a fantastic integration of human cadaver exploration, palpation skills and motor point location and needle technique designed to educate the TCM practitioner and set them up for success.

Each day of these APC labs are divided into two sections: Section One: The Cadaver Lab and Section Two: Palpation, Motor Point Locations and Needle Techniques.

Section One: The Cadaver Lab

Instructor—Brian Lau, AP, C.SMA

• This lab will explore the relevant anatomy for the module including needle depths, myofascial sinew channel and acupuncture channel topography, blood vessels, motor nerve topography and innervations and more.
• Anatomy on a non-chemically treated, human cadaver specimen dissected by Brian Lau and Matt Callison will show the low back, hip and groin in preparation for the information presented in this Module. The practitioner will discover the amazing world of human anatomy, explore the myofascial sinew channels and learn how the acupuncture needle can penetrate different tissues at various depths. The practitioner will also examine the continuous myofascial planes of these channels and understand how adjacent and distal needling is imperative and successful in treating the many injuries discussed in this Module.  The practitioner is guided to palpate and needle the acupuncture points, motor points, Huatuojiaji points and target tissues pertinent to this Module. By examining the underlying anatomy of these acupuncture points and ashi tissues, the practitioner can understand and appreciate safe needle depths for acupuncture stimulation. This is a rare educational opportunity that far surpasses books and anatomical models for the acupuncturist to gain increased insight to the varying depths of qi.

Section Two: Palpation, Motor Point Locations and Needle Technique Lab

Instructor—Matt Callison, L.Ac.

• This lab is focused on presenting important palpation skills needed to identify and successfully needle many muscle motor entry points and target tissues used in the Sinew Channel Assessment and Myofascial Technique (SAM) and Assessment and Treatment of Injury (ATI) classes for this Module.
• Precise location of muscle motor entry points and specific needle angles and depths will be discussed and practiced for effective clinical results.
• Palpation skills will be presented and practiced for low back, hip and groin landmarks.

These 2-day APC labs better prepare the student for the following 2-day assessment and treatment classes: Sinew Channel Assessment and Myofascial Techniques (SAM) and Assessment and Treatment of Injury (ATI).

Sinew Channels Assessment & Myofascial Techniques (previously Assessment & Treatment of the Channel Sinews (Jingjin))

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Instructors—Matt Callison, L.Ac., Brian Lau, AP, C.SMA

• This 2-day workshop highlights how the myofascial sinew channels organize efficient movement patterns and balance the major joint structures of the lumbo-pelvic-hip region. Focus is on understanding how imbalances in these channels can contribute to pain and injury.
• Practitioners will learn to accurately assess lumbo-pelvic-hip imbalances with functional movement examinations, orthopedic examinations and manual muscle testing. These assessments will be used to build treatment protocols using innovative acupuncture and myofascial release techniques to align the musculoskeletal system, decrease tension, reduce pain and enhance healing of the injured tissue.
• This class sets up the Assessment and Treatment of the Low Back, Hip and Groin Injuries (ATI) course, which teaches diagnosis of the exact location of the injured tissue and comprehensive acupuncture protocols for local, adjacent and distal treatments for musculoskeletal injury.

Postural Assessment & Corrective Exercise (PACE) I—Exercise Prescription for the Acupuncturist

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Instructor—Ian Armstrong, L.Ac., C.SMA
Assisted by—Matt Callison, L.Ac., Brian Lau L.Ac., C.SMA

“Organ imbalances perpetuate postural dysfunction and postural dysfunction creates organ imbalances.” | Matt Callison

• In this groundbreaking series of PACE courses, the practitioner will learn how to prescribe therapeutic exercises for postural imbalances that have directly contributed to the patient’s musculoskeletal injury. These courses will teach the acupuncturist important skills in prescribing specific exercises in the management of their patient’s health care.
• PACE I will present the fundamentals of postural assessment in both static and functional positions, which help to reveal abnormal movement patterns, muscle imbalances and postural distortions that have contributed to the patient’s zang fu pathology and/or musculoskeletal injury.
• The practitioner will learn to measure for pelvic disparities that have contributed to spinal bends and vertebral/sacral fixations. Reducing these functional spinal bends and vertebral/sacral fixations stimulates the nervous system, increases proprioception and decreases pain. In TCM, this can be viewed as increasing du mai qi circulation and ultimately benefiting circulation and neural communication to the entire channel systems.
• PACE I will also emphasize the importance of the relationship between postural alignment and the proper functioning of the thoracic and abdominal organs.
• The practitioner will learn visual assessment skills that are then confirmed with palpation of the postural imbalances.
• This Western anatomical view of postural assessment is taught through the lens of TCM sinew channel correspondences that helps the practitioner build a treatment protocol.
• The practitioner will learn to integrate acupuncture protocols with exercise prescription, including how to use intradermal needle point prescriptions on the Extraordinary Vessel master points to alleviate discomfort, increase proprioception and enhance clinical outcomes.
• These postural assessment exercise treatment techniques enhance the acupuncture and myofascial treatment protocols the SMA student has learned in previous classes. The combination of acupuncture, myofascial techniques and therapeutic exercises stands alone in clinical effectiveness for treating the patient and their injury.

Assessment and Treatment of Low Back, Hip & Groin Injuries (ATI)

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Instructor—Matt Callison, L.Ac.

• The practitioner taking this 5-day live, in-person course will understand that injuries involving the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex must be observed as one complex and not separated in assessment or treatment. Balancing the relationship between the lumbar spine, the pelvis and the hip will not only help decrease pain in those regions but also affect most neck, shoulder and lower extremity 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 that an acupuncturist will treat. The practitioner will learn to accurately differentiate radicular pain from referred pain and locate the fixed pain site that is causing the pain. With a correct diagnosis of the affected tissue, the practitioner can then accurately apply successful treatment protocols to the affected tissues and the channels and collaterals (jing luo jingjin) for long-lasting clinical results.
• Innovative treatment protocols will be introduced consisting of advanced needle techniques to the involved tissues.
• The experience of this workshop will refine the practitioner’s assessment and treatment skills, expand their  knowledge of needle techniques, and greatly enhance the success rate in treating low back, hip and groin injuries.

THE LOWER EXTREMITY

Anatomy/Palpation/Cadaver Labs

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Instructors—Matt Callison, L.Ac., Brian Lau, AP, C.SMA

Prerequisite for this live, in-person course: The student will be provided the recorded Functional Anatomy and Anatomy of the Sinew Channels video lectures by Matt Callison and Brian Lau. It is required for the student to view these recordings (approx. 6 hours total) prior to the start date of the live, in-person course. These videos will better prepare the student for information presented in the Anatomy/Palpation/Cadaver lab live, in-person course.

Online Recordings: Fundamentals of Functional Anatomy and Anatomy of the Sinew Channels.

The videos are required viewing prior to the APC class start date.

Fundamentals of Functional Anatomy

Instructor—Matt Callison, L.Ac.

• This functional anatomy presentation is designed for the TCM practitioner that will cover postural disparities, normal and abnormal movement patterns of the pelvis, hip joints, knee, ankle and foot. Postural imbalances and altered movement patterns are a frequent contributor to injury, pain and dysfunction that an acupuncturist will see.

Anatomy of the Sinew Channels

Instructor—Brian Lau, AP, C.SMA

• The anatomy of the sinew channels presentation concentrates on the classical descriptions of the jingjin from the TCM classical text, the Lingshu, and the remarkable similarities these channels have with modern day myofascial planes. This fascinating myofascial jingjin discussion is integrated into functional anatomy of the lower extremity and will help the TCM practitioner to better understand channel topography and assessment and treatment protocols for subsequent acupuncture and myofascial classes classes.

Anatomy/Palpation/Cadaver (APC) Labs

These live, in-person APC labs are a fantastic integration of human cadaver exploration, palpation skills and motor point location and needle technique designed to educate the TCM practitioner and set them up for success.

Each day of these APC labs are divided into two sections: Section One: The Cadaver Lab and Section Two: Palpation, Motor Point Locations and Needle Techniques.

Section One: The Cadaver Lab

Instructor—Brian Lau, AP, C.SMA

• This lab will explore the relevant anatomy for the module including  needle depths, myofascial sinew channel and acupuncture channel topography, blood vessels, motor nerve topography and innervations and more.
• Anatomy on a non-chemically treated, human cadaver specimen dissected by Brian Lau and Matt Callison will show the low back and lower extremity in preparation for the information presented in this Module. The practitioner will discover the amazing world of human anatomy, explore the myofascial sinew channels and learn how the acupuncture needle can penetrate different tissues at various depths. The practitioner will also examine the continuous myofascial planes of these channels and understand how adjacent and distal needling is imperative and successful in treating the many injuries discussed in this Module. The practitioner is guided to palpate and needle the acupuncture points, motor points, Huatuojiaji points and target tissues pertinent to this Module. By examining the underlying anatomy of these acupuncture points and ashi tissues, the practitioner can understand and appreciate safe needle depths for acupuncture stimulation. This is a rare educational opportunity that far surpasses books and anatomical models for the acupuncturist to gain increased insight to the varying depths of qi.

Section Two: Palpation, Motor Point Locations and Needle Technique Lab

Instructor—Matt Callison, L.Ac.

This lab will focus on teaching the student important palpation skills needed to identify and successfully needle many muscle motor entry points and target tissues used in the ATI and SAM classes for this module.

• This lab is focused on presenting important palpation skills needed to identify and successfully needle many muscle motor entry points and target tissues used in the Sinew Channel Assessment and Myofascial Technique (SAM) and Assessment and Treatment of Injury (ATI) classes for this module.
• Precise location of muscle entry motor points and specific needle angles and depths will be discussed and practiced for effective clinical results.
• Palpation skills will be presented and practiced for lower extremity landmarks that will lead the practitioner to developing a successful point prescription.

These 2-day APC labs better prepare the student for the following 2-day assessment and treatment classes: Sinew Channel Assessment and Myofascial Techniques (SAM) and Assessment and Treatment of Injury (ATI).

Sinew Channels Assessment & Myofascial Techniques (previously Assessment & Treatment of the Channel Sinews (Jingjin))

---

Instructors—Brian Lau, AP, C.SMA, Matt Callison, L.Ac.

• This 2-day workshop highlights how the myofascial sinew channels organize efficient movement patterns and balance the major joint structures of the lower extremity and low back regions. Focus is on understanding how imbalances in these channels can contribute to pain and injury.
• Practitioners will learn to accurately assess lower extremity imbalances with functional movement examinations, orthopedic examinations and manual muscle testing. These assessments will be used to build treatment protocols using innovative acupuncture and myofascial release techniques to align the musculoskeletal system, decrease tension, reduce pain and enhance healing of the injured tissue.
• This class sets up the Assessment and Treatment of the Lower Extremity (ATI) course, which teaches diagnosis of the exact location of the injured tissue and teaches comprehensive acupuncture protocols for local, adjacent and distal treatments for musculoskeletal injury.

Postural Assessment & Corrective Exercise (PACE) II—Exercise Prescription for the Acupuncturist

---

Instructors—Ian Armstrong, L.Ac., C.SMA
Assisted by—Matt Callison, L.Ac., Brian Lau, AP, C.SMA

In this groundbreaking series of PACE courses, the practitioner will learn how to prescribe therapeutic exercises for postural imbalances that have directly contributed to the patient’s musculoskeletal injury. These courses will teach the acupuncturist important skills in prescribing specific exercises in the management of their patient’s health care.

• PACE II will present the fundamentals of postural assessment in both static and functional positions, which help to reveal abnormal movement patterns, muscle imbalances and postural distortions that have contributed to the patient’s acute or chronic musculoskeletal injury.
• The practitioner will learn to measure for pelvic, knee, ankle and foot disparities that have contributed to musculoskeletal pain and injury. Reducing these postural imbalances stimulates the nervous system, increases proprioception and decreases pain.
• The practitioner will learn visual assessment skills that are then confirmed with palpation of the postural imbalances.
• This Western anatomical view of postural assessment is taught through the lens of TCM sinew channel correspondences that helps the practitioner build a treatment protocol.
• The practitioner will learn to integrate acupuncture protocols with exercise prescription, including how to use intradermal needle point prescriptions on the Extraordinary Vessel master points to alleviate discomfort, increase proprioception and enhance clinical outcomes.
• These postural assessment exercise treatment techniques enhance the acupuncture and myofascial treatment protocols the SMA student has learned in previous classes. The combination of acupuncture, myofascial techniques and therapeutic exercises stands alone in clinical effectiveness for treating the patient and their injury.

Assessment and Treatment of Lower Extremity Injuries (ATI)

---

Instructor—Matt Callison, L.Ac.

• This 5-day live, in-person intensive workshop combines the information presented from this Module into a comprehensive assessment and treatment protocol for sports and orthopedic injuries of the lower extremity.
• The practitioner taking this course will understand that many injuries involving the lower extremity are due to an imbalance in either the lumbo-pelvic hip region as well as the ankle/foot complex. Balancing the relationship between these anatomical structures will greatly affect the outcome of treating lower extremity 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 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 that an acupuncturist will treat. The practitioner will learn to accurately differentiate the primary tissue that is causing the referred pain. With a correct diagnosis of the affected tissue, the practitioner can then accurately 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.
• The experience of this workshop will refine the acupuncturist’s assessment and treatment skills, expand their knowledge of needle techniques and greatly enhance the success rate in treating lower extremity injuries.

THE NECK, SHOULDER AND UPPER EXTREMITY

Anatomy/Palpation/Cadaver Workshop

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Instructors—Matt Callison, L.Ac., Brian Lau, AP, C.SMA

Prerequisite for this live, in-person course: The student will be provided the recorded Functional Anatomy and Anatomy of the Sinew Channels video lectures by Matt Callison and Brian Lau. It is required for the student to view these recordings (approx. 6 hours total) prior to the start date of the live, in-person course. These videos will better prepare the student for information presented in the Anatomy/Palpation/Cadaver lab live, in-person course.

Online Recordings: Fundamentals of Functional Anatomy and Anatomy of the Sinew Channels.

The videos are required viewing prior to the APC class start date.

Fundamentals of Functional Anatomy

Instructor—Matt Callison, L.Ac.

• This functional anatomy presentation is designed for the TCM practitioner that will cover postural disparities, normal and abnormal movement patterns of the cervical, thoracic spine, ribcage, the shoulder girdle and the upper extremity. Postural imbalances and altered movement patterns are a frequent contributor to injury, pain and dysfunction that an acupuncturist will see.

Anatomy of the Sinew Channels

Instructor—Brian Lau, AP, C.SMA

• The anatomy of the sinew channels presentation concentrates on the classical descriptions of the jingjin from the TCM classical text, the Lingshu, and the remarkable similarities these channels have with modern day myofascial planes. This fascinating myofascial jingjin discussion is integrated into functional anatomy of the neck, shoulder and upper extremity and will help the TCM practitioner to better understand channel topography and assessment and treatment protocols for subsequent acupuncture and myofascial classes.

This live, in-person Anatomy/Palpation/Cadaver (APC) lab is a fantastic integration of human cadaver exploration, palpation skills and motor point location and needle technique designed to educate the TCM practitioner and set them up for success.

Each day of this APC lab is divided into two sections: Section One: The Cadaver Lab and Section Two: Palpation, Motor Point Locations and Needle Techniques.

Section One: The Cadaver Lab

Instructor—Brian Lau, AP, C.SMA

• This lab will explore the relevant anatomy for the module including needle depths, myofascial sinew channel and acupuncture channel topography, blood vessels, motor nerve topography and innervations and more.
• Anatomy on a non-chemically treated, human cadaver specimen dissected by Brian Lau and Matt Callison will show the head, neck, shoulder, ribcage and upper extremity in preparation for the information presented in this Module. The practitioner will discover the amazing world of human anatomy, explore the myofascial sinew channels and learn how the acupuncture needle can penetrate different tissues at various depths. The practitioner will also examine the continuous myofascial planes of these channels and understand how adjacent and distal needling is imperative and successful in treating the many injuries discussed in this Module.  The practitioner is guided to palpate and needle the acupuncture points, motor points, Huatuojiaji points and target tissues pertinent to this Module. By examining the underlying anatomy of these acupuncture points and ashi tissues, the practitioner can understand and appreciate safe needle depths for acupuncture stimulation. This is a rare educational opportunity that far surpasses books and anatomical models for the acupuncturist to gain increased insight to the varying depths of qi.

Section Two: Palpation, Motor Point Locations and Needle Technique Lab

Instructor—Matt Callison, L.Ac.

This lab will focus on teaching the student important palpation skills needed to identify and successfully needle many muscle motor entry points and target tissues used in the ATI and SAM classes for this module.

• This lab is focused on presenting important palpation skills needed to identify and successfully needle many muscle motor entry points and target tissues used in the Sinew Channel Assessment and Myofascial Technique (SAM) and Assessment and Treatment of Injury (ATI) classes for this Module.
• Precise location of muscle motor entry points and specific needle angles and depths will be discussed and practiced for effective clinical results.
• Palpation skills will be presented and practiced for neck, shoulder and upper extremity landmarks that will lead the practitioner to developing a successful point prescription.

This 2-day lab better prepares the student for the following assessment and treatment classes: Sinew Channel Assessment and Myofascial Techniques (SAM) and Assessment and Treatment of Injury (ATI).

Sinew Channels Assessment and Myofascial Techniques (previously Assessment & Treatment of the Channel Sinews (Jingjin))

---

Instructors—Brian Lau, AP, C.SMA, Matt Callison, L.Ac.,

• This 2-day workshop highlights how the myofascial sinew channels organize efficient movement patterns and balance the major joint structures of the neck, shoulder and upper extremity. Focus is on understanding how imbalances in these channels can contribute to pain and injury.
• Practitioners will learn to accurately assess these imbalances with functional movement examinations, orthopedic examinations and manual muscle testing. These assessments will be used to build treatment protocols using innovative acupuncture and myofascial release techniques to align the musculoskeletal system, decrease tension, reduce pain and enhance healing of the injured tissue.
• This class sets up the Assessment and Treatment of the Lower Extremity (ATI) course, which teaches diagnosis of the exact location of the injured tissue and teaches comprehensive acupuncture protocols for local, adjacent and distal treatments for musculoskeletal injury.

Postural Assessment & Corrective Exercise (PACE) III — Exercise Prescription for the Acupuncturist

---

Instructors—Ian Armstrong, L.Ac., C.SMA
Assisted by—Matt Callison, L.Ac., Brian Lau L.Ac., C.SMA

This course will teach the practitioner how to assess postural dysfunction and prescribe therapeutic exercises for postural, muscle and channel imbalances that have directly contributed to the patient’s musculoskeletal injury. This course will teach the acupuncturist important skills to prescribe specific exercises in the management of their patient’s health care.

• PACE III will build from what was taught in PACE I that focused on the spine and lumbo-pelvic-hip complex. PACE III discusses these structures’ relationship to the neck, shoulder, ribcage and upper extremity.
• The position of the neck, shoulder and ribcage is predicated on the postural balance of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex. For this reason, a review of the assessment of lumbo-pelvic-hip imbalances and its connection to these structures will be discussed.
• The practitioner will learn to assess, through static and functional assessment techniques, the many postural disparities and associated muscle imbalances that can cause injury to these regions of the body.
• The practitioner will learn visual assessment skills that are then confirmed with palpation of the postural imbalances.
• Participants will learn how to effectively prescribe therapeutic exercises that will help balance ribcage, neck, shoulder and upper extremity imbalances such as posterior tilt of the ribcage, forward head, forward shoulder, cervical rotation and more. These postural disparities can lead to many potential injuries that an acupuncturist will see clinically.
• Exercising different body parts simultaneously in specific and coordinated motions activates the myofascial sinew channels so that form and function can align. The practitioner will learn to prescribe exercises for multiple postural imbalances that are contributing to their patient’s musculoskeletal pain.
• The practitioner will learn to integrate acupuncture protocols with exercise prescription, including how to use intradermal needle point prescriptions on the Extraordinary Vessel master points to alleviate discomfort, increase proprioception and enhance clinical outcomes.
• Therapeutic exercises complement and enhance the acupuncture and myofascial treatment protocols the SMA student has learned in previous classes. The combination of acupuncture, myofascial techniques and therapeutic exercises stand alone in clinical effectiveness for treating the patient and their injury.

Assessment and Treatment of Neck, Shoulder & Upper Extremity Injuries

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Instructor—Matt Callison, L.Ac.

• This 5- day live, in-person intensive workshop combines the information presented from this Module into a comprehensive assessment and treatment protocol for sports and orthopedic injuries of the neck, shoulder and upper extremity.
• The practitioner taking this sports medicine acupuncture course will understand that many injuries involving the neck, shoulder and upper extremity involve the postural position of the spine, ribcage and the lumbo-pelvic region. Balancing the relationship between these anatomical structures will greatly affect the outcome of treating neck, shoulder and upper extremity 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 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 that an acupuncturist will treat. The practitioner will learn to accurately differentiate the primary tissue that is causing the referred pain. With a correct diagnosis of the affected tissue, the practitioner can then accurately 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.
• The experience of this workshop will refine the acupuncturist’s assessment and treatment skills, expanding their knowledge of needle techniques and greatly enhancing the success rate in treating neck, shoulder and upper extremity injuries.