Needling the Joints of the Spine and Extremities

Joint dysfunctions and ligament laxity are common but sometimes hidden causes of chronic pain and disability. Learn to integrate contemporary orthopedic physical exam with classically-based acupuncture (including shu-point, “short,” “triple,” “quintuple,” joint and bone-pecking needling) to address root causes of musculoskeletal pain and disability. This hands-on class provides essential knowledge and practical skills to treat a wide range of orthopedic conditions with acupuncture, including:

• Yin and Yang of joint anatomy, kinesiology, and the adverse effects of joint injuries on muscles, tendons, and the nervous system
• History-taking and physical exam techniques to identify joint mobility/stability dysfunctions, including:
  • Specialized inspection and palpation techniques for joints and ligaments
  • Joint active and passive range-of-motion and end-feel examinations
• Mechanisms and therapeutic effects of orthopedic acupuncture for joints
• Hands-on practice of needling safety and techniques for hyPERmobile and hyPOmobile joints, including;
  • Shoulder, arm and hand: acromio- and sterno- clavicular, glenhumeral, ulnar- and radio- carpal; radio-ulnar; thumb CMC, MCP joints
  • Lower leg: knee ACL, MCL, LCL, meniscii, superior tib-fib; ankle anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular joints
  • Spine: cervical and lumbar facets; supraspinous, interspinous, iliolumbar, sacroiliac, and sacrotuberous ligaments
• Hands-on practice post-treatment joint re-assessment for immediate assessment of outcomes