The British Medical Acupuncture Society

 MUSCULOSKELETAL ASSESSMENT for the Western Medical Acupuncturist  - 

LOW BACK & POSTERIOR HIP GIRDLE (DAY3)

This one day course is part of a new series of courses teaching the skills of musculoskeletal assessment for experienced** practitioners of Western medical acupuncture. Each day covers the general principles of assessment; practical, hands-on assessment for the indicated region of the body; and relevant needling techniques.

This set of four courses complements the BMAS Points Practical series, which covers needling of similar regions of the body. The MSK assessment days are designed for those who want to refresh their practical surface anatomy and MSK assessment, and include Mike's approach to rapid assessment screening designed for short consultations in primary care, as well as more specialist assessment techniques.

Day 1: Neck, shoulder & arm

Day 2: Dorsal back, chest & abdomen

Day 3: Low back & posterior hip girdle

Day 4: Anterior hip girdle, knee & lower limb

Precourse requirements**

Participants will ideally be familiar with needling all the relevant anatomical regions relevant to each day (see the BMAS Points Resource). If potential participants are not familiar with needling all the relevant muscle trigger points and acupuncture points they would be advised to attend the BMAS Points Practical days before considering these courses.  Good anatomical knowledge of the relevant region is essential, so that the participant can identify the tissue at the end of the acupuncture needle for diagnostic purposes.

Aims

The four musculoskeletal (MSK) assessment days run by Dr Mike Cummings on behalf of the BMAS are designed to help experienced practitioners of Western medical acupuncture (WMA) incorporate needling into their assessment of common MSK pain presentations. Each day focuses on a different region of the body, divided up based on the most common clinical presentations and differential diagnoses.  Some physical assessment techniques will be covered, but the course can only serve as an introduction to a selection of techniques that the author has found useful. Please be prepared to be told that many MSK assessment techniques learned in prior training are likely to be dismissed as unhelpful.

Objectives

Participants will be able to use an acupuncture needle and communicate appropriately with the patient to assess relevant soft tissues for pain provocation to determine likely peripheral sources of MSK pain.  By the end of each day participants will feel more confident in assessment of the relevant region of the body for common MSK pain conditions.

For those participants wishing to prepare: 

View the examination and palpation videos of the Points resource (Found on the BMAS website www.medical–acupuncture.co.uk under BMAS Points Resources) and revise the anatomy of the region.  Essential Anatomy 5 app is recommended for download to mobile devices.

This is a practical course and proof of Hepatitis B immunisation with antibody levels is required.  Please contact the office tel: 01606 786782 if you have any questions regarding this.