From the beginning, it was evident that the SMAC program led by Matt Callison and team was crafted with meticulous attention to detail and a profound understanding of TCM theory, acupuncture, and sports medicine. Matt’s expertise, depth of knowledge, and passion for the subject matter are truly inspiring. Not only did he provide comprehensive theoretical foundations, but he also seamlessly integrated practical applications, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience. I am truly impressed by the depth of insight and practical skills I’ve acquired through this program. It has not only enhanced my professional capabilities but has also instilled in me an even greater appreciation for the intersection of sports medicine and acupuncture.

Attended the 3-day Cadaver Lab last week with Brian Lau and Matt Callison. The work is invaluable for getting to know what’s “under the skin.” I am seeing and feeling with more understanding for my clients. The next one in September is full/waitlist already, but keep an eye out for these workshops as they come up.

I just completed Module 1, which is Vertebral Fixations, and I am already SO GLAD I finally started this program. I live in New Jersey so I kept putting this off, but now that 75% of the program is online, I just ran out of excuses. I have always focused on women’s health and fertility, but when the more challenging orthopedic cases came my way over the almost 20 years I’ve been in practice, I knew I could get better results if I had the structure and information of the SMAC program. I don’t normally treat athletes, but I do occasionally treat some patients who have orthopedic complaints from everyday activities that cause pain, such as repetitively holding a bottle to feed a baby, or reaching/twisting too hard into the back seat of a car to find something. And I have become more athletic in middle age, as I am now also a part-time Spin (indoor cycling) Instructor at my local gym. Anyway, long story short, after completing the in-person needling/treatment course of Module 1, my motor point needle technique, confidence, and subsequent results have skyrocketed! Range of motion increases right after treatment, and I am so much more diligent now at following the exact angle, location, and depth outlined in the updated motor point handbook, which I happily bought for the Kindle app on my phone. So convenient and with crystal clear color photos! I used to tell myself I would get the exact location but then end up reverting back to the old habit of using ASHI points. Now I persist with the location, depth, and angle and which ALWAYS yields results. Many thanks to Matt, Brian, Ian, Patricia, and the whole SMAC team for making this all possible, especially for those of us who cannot easily travel to the west coast.

“I recently completed the SMA’s new 5 Day Assessment & Treatment of the Low Back, Hip and Groin Injuries (Mod II ATI) in San Diego and it was well worth the time and expense to take the course a second time. I became a C.SMA in 2017, and although much of the course was a useful review of what was covered five years ago, there was a significant amount of new material that is of enormous value to my practice. Matt continues to refine his assessment skills and treatment techniques and shares his found knowledge and experiences with students.

I particularly appreciated the extensive discussion of the assessment and treatment of the pelvic floor to be useful, as I have increasing numbers of patients who would benefit from these treatments. Acupuncture is a far less invasive complement to the pelvic floor PT that many patients are currently pursuing, and I find huge value in knowing how to help this population.”

“I just wanted to say a huge heartfelt thank you for all the energy and effort you put into the course last week. I am so grateful to have had this in person training time to inspire and deepen my practice. You are a very skilled and compassionate teacher and I thank you for your dedication to the field and for sharing so many valuable clinical pearls. I look forward to completing more courses soon.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your wisdom with us with such humility and clarity.

‘When the student is ready the teacher appears.’ This quote resonates deeply for me and I am so thankful for this opportunity to learn from you, Brian and your assistants.”

“The SMAC program has transformed my practice. This education I received has made the biggest impact on my career as an acupuncturist, more than any other training I’ve completed. It has given me the tools to understand the body to properly diagnose and treat almost any orthopaedic ailment that comes through the door. Equally as important, it has allowed me access to a massive community of support to call on with questions or guide me with any uncertainty I may have with difficult cases. The strategies and protocols I learned with SMAC I used on my patients has resulted in incredible positive changes to the athletes. Truthfully, without SMAC I would not be anywhere near where I am currently am in my career.”

Big shout out to Sports Medicine Acupuncture for inspiring and leading so many young acupuncturists and TCM students. Your work is of the highest level and has provided so much quality to our industry.

I want to thank Matt Callison and Brian Lau for this wonderful, amazing system of medicine called Sports Medicine Acupuncture.

2020 has been one tough year for me, with the shut-down, then when school started back which is when my practice normally gets a big influx of patients, it has been very slow d/t the fact that many folks have had to over see their children with their online schooling and they are just too damn busy to receive any care for themselves.

Yet, I am getting more and more difficult cases, where the patient has tried everything – PT, Chiro, surgeries and haven’t gotten the relief they needed to live active lives. Then when I use what I have been taught and go step-by-step through their cases with assessment and treatments I’m getting positive RESULTS!! It keeps me inspired, motivated and wanting to keep going. Thank you guys. And thanks to my many SMAC Colleagues for answering ALL of my questions!!

Medicine is always evolving and so does SMAC. This weekend we completed the first virtual classes and I am so happy to say they delivered! I was so anxious and overwhelmed with all the changes 2020 continues to bring upon us. I didn’t want to add one more thing on my plate by doing virtual classes especially because I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to learn the same as in person. While virtual classes have their own strengths and weaknesses I am very happy to report I am beyond impressed by the amount of information they delivered and how well it was perceived. I can tell a lot of work and effort went into this because they make it look easy and cohesive.

I can’t say this enough, YOU GUYS ROCK! I feel very fortunate to have you in our profession because you elevate our standards time after time. The passion you put into teaching is very impressive, and it SHOWS! Keep up the great work. I am very grateful to everyone involved into making this happen. My head is still spinning a little (may be a lot) from all of the information. I am still processing it. I am so glad we will be able to go back at the recording to review and be able to absorb more info later on.

I can’t wait to start incorporating the things I learned into my treatments.

Matt Callison’s sport acupuncture courses changed my practice in a big way.  On the way through Seattle, my friend Laura said, we should go to a seminar with this guy, Matt.  He does incredible things.

Like, he needles under the shoulder blade.  She made the shocked face.  She and I had been on many TCM adventures, so I said hell yes.  That was the beginning.

I had a bad ankle that was quite resistant to getting well and I volunteered to be the model for a demonstration.  Matt had quiet sure hands and released something “ropey” on my lateral calf.  I thought my leg was going to fly off.  That leg never bothered me again.  I chronically sprained that ankle since I was a kid.  Never sprained it again in 20 years.

I signed up for every course I could get myself to over the next couple of years and learned more about anatomy, physiology and muscle testing than I even knew existed.  Since then I have become the GoTo Lady for all ankle injuries.  Some of my patients don’t know I do anything else.  Ankle  injury= Catherine period.   One guy had a sore shoulder and I asked if he’d like a hand with that too.  He said,” I thought you just did ankles.”  I am now a very good manual therapist and can unlock much more than ankles.  Even decades old injuries that are off the charts for complexity can be accessed and repaired.

What I really enjoy about SMA is that it is deeply rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and didn’t turn me into a western soft tissue guy.  The idea that Spleen and Stomach Channels could rob Kidney and Bladder Channels just like in Five Element Theory, for instance, just woke me up and set my feet on a new and exciting adventure. Thanks to Sports Medicine Acupuncture and to Matt Callison.

I get so pumped during the Sports Medicine Acupuncture seminars! I’ve signed up for the entire program in June and currently attending the second Module – Lower Back and Hip. My confidence in this medicine is growing even more and I’m very excited to be able to help so many people with pain issues that are stubborn or seem impossible to get rid of. I highly recommend this program to my fellow Acupuncture practitioners and encourage them to attend Matt Callison’s seminars.

The three-day cadaver dissection course was incredibly insightful. It really opened my eyes to how various parts of the body connect, and I was even surprised by some of these connections. They introduced a needle lab on the final day, which was a standout for me. It was designed for anyone wanting to get better at needling techniques, particularly in areas many were uncomfortable with before. The course also gave me the chance to meet plenty of new people and reconnect with old friends. For those looking to deepen their understanding of the anatomy related to needling, this course is a solid investment. The instructors, Matt Callison and Brian Lau, did a fantastic job in making the dissection process both educational and engaging. Incorporating this type of hands-on learning into the curriculum of TCM schools would be a game-changer, for our field