Category Archives: General

Treating Pain with Herbs: early-bird discount ends 6-30

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The early registration discount ends Thursday, 6-30 for Module 12: Treating Pain with Herbs, Supplements, and Dietetics: An Evidence-Based, East-West Approach, July 30, 2016, Saturday 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (8 CEUs) at 200 Seventh Ave. in Santa Cruz. Guest Instructors Ben Zappin L.A.c and Ingrid Bauer, M.D. are also teachers with the Sylvan Institute of Botanical Medicine, and founders, wild-crafters and formulators of Five Flavors Herbs. Together, they bring over 30 years of experience and advanced training to their dynamic team-teaching approach that integrates science, traditional knowledge and clinical experience.

Get Certified in Integrative Acupuncture Orthopdics while your earn your DAOM!

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I am delighted and honored to have been invited to teach the next 2-year (2017-2018) continuing education and certification series in Integrative Acupuncture Orthopedics (IAO), as part of the Doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) being offered beginning January 2017 by the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences (ACCHS) in Oakland.  If you are interested in practical, hand-on clinical training to take your skills, knowledge and abilities in the treatment of sports, orthopedics and neuro-musculoskeletal pain conditions to a very advanced level, you can now simultaneously work towards both your speciality certification in IAO, while you earn your DAOM.

I’m excited to be invited to join a small but illustrious group of my seniors and betters, all highly-qualified and experienced clinicians and instructors in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine, who will be teaching continuously throughout what promises to be a DAOM Program of exceptional quality, value and integrity.

I look forward to participating in setting a new standard for physician-level training and certification for the acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine professions, and invite you to check out the course website, email me at info@aomprofessional, or private message me for more information. You may also contact DAOM Program Coordinator Phil Settles at ACCHS at psettles@acchs.edu for more information regarding the DAOM and reciprocity with AOM Professional’s IAO Certification Program.

--Anthony Von der Muhll, L.Ac., DNBAO, FAAPM, Head Instructor, AOM Professional

Anthony Von der Muhll, L.Ac, DAOM, DNBAO, FAIPM

is a highly-experienced clinician and an enthusiastic and skilled instructor in acupuncture orthopedics and sports medicine who enjoys providing long-term mentorship and support for acupuncturists to achieve clinical mastery and their professional goals. He is one of the only US acupuncturists who teaches joint stabilization/mobilization needling, is certified in myofascial trigger point needling, and integrates these modern acupuncture methods with classical treatment of the jing-jin ("sinew meridians" or myofascial tracts).

Teaching Experience

Anthony Von der Muhll is the founder of AOM Professional, and has taught Certification in Acupuncture Orthopedics in the USA since 2015, and served as a clinical supervisor at the Masters level since 2005 and as continuing education and Doctoral level since 2015. He  has also taught acupuncture orthopedics and pain management in doctorate programs of the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences (Oakland CA), the American College of TCM (San Francisco, CA), the Five Branches University of TCM (Santa Cruz, CA), and the Virginia University of Integrative Medicine (Vienna, VA). He has been a featured instructor in acupuncture orthopedics at conferences of the Sports Acupuncture Alliance, the PSOAS and FLOW Symposiums, and State acupuncture associations of California, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.

Acupuncture Subject Matter Expert

Anthony Von der Muhll is one of few acupuncturists in the US with extensive experience serving as an as an expert witness in civil malpractice litigation. He also served as an Subject Matter Expert for the California Acupuncture Board from 2009-2022. He emphasizes the highest standards of safety, ethics and sustainability in his classes.

Professional History

Anthony Von der Muhll started his journey as an injured soccer player who found relief from taiji/qigong, massage, and acupuncture. He worked as a massage therapist, physical therapy and athletic training assistant until he graduated from the Five Branches University of TCM in 2002, and founded the Santa Cruz Acupuncture Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Clinic in 2003. In 2022, Anthony relocated to Charlottesville, Virginia, where he now practices at the Sports Acupuncture Clinic/Bamboo Clinic with his wife, Tamara Brown, L.Ac., DACM.

Education, Training and Clinical Experience

  • Clinical practice since 2003 as a licensed acupuncturist, and since 1998 as a sports massage therapist, physical therapy aide, and athletic training assistant.
  • Clinical practice multi-disciplinary integrative medicine clinics, including SpineMed Associates and the PRIME Pain Medicine Institute, and as a contracted provider for Kaiser Permanente (Northern Calfornia) and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation.
  • Acupuncture Licensee, California (2003-present) and Virginia (2022-present), and Diplomate, NCCAOM, 2021-present
  • Masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine (2002), and first graduate of Five Branches University of TCM's Integrative Sports Medicine program (2003)
  • Doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (Orthopedics and Pain Management specialization), Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences (2021)
  • Clinical Supervisor and Associate Professor at Five Branches University of TCM (2005-20, MTCM and DACM programs)
  • Doctoral Clinical Supervisor, Academic Instructor, and Academic Standards Committee, Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences (since 2017)
  • Doctoral Instructor at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2019-2020)
  • Doctoral Instructor at Virginia University of Integrative Medicine (2020-present)
  • Certificates in Sports Massage and Acupressure (1998)
  • Diplomate of the National Board of Acupuncture Orthopedics (2006)
  • Certified Personal Trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine (2006)
  • Fellow of the Academy of Integrative Pain Management (2014)
  • Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist (trigger point needling), Myopain Seminars (2017)
  • Subject Matter Expert for the California Acupuncture Board (2009-2022)
  • Expert Witness in civil malpractice litigation and complaints to regulatory boards and insurers
  • Special Guest Editor, Medical Acupuncture
  • Featured speaker at conferences of the Sports Acupuncture Alliance, the PSOAS Symposium, the FLOW Symposium, and State Acupuncture Associations of California, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington.

Anthony Von der Muhll, L.Ac., is an approved instructor for the NCCAOM (Provider #9155) and the California Acupuncture Board (Provider #1225).

Guest Instructors are announced as they are confirmed for special topics.

Head Instructor Anthony Von der Muhll L.Ac., DAOM, DNBAO, FAIPM

Doctoral-level in-person, live webinar and self-paced distance-learning modules with Anthony Von der Muhll, L.Ac., DAOM, DNBAO

  • Thrive in today's competitive dry needling and integrative medicine environment with advanced clinical training to support traditional acupuncture practices
  • Integrating classical and modern acupuncture for success with orthopedic, sports and work-related injuries and chronic neuromuscular pain
  • Ortho-neuro physical exam, advanced joint and myofascial trigger point needling, electroacupuncture, gua sha, cupping, and more
  • Essential referral-building, documentation, report-writing, and risk management skills for practice success and employment in integrative medicine clinics
  • Clinical support and networking through on-line case consultation meetings
  • Acupuncture Orthopedics Certification at your own pace. Classes are modular--start any time! See student testimonials.

Unsure where to begin? Take our free 1.5 CEU/PDA class:  Overview of Acupuncture Orthopedics: Road Maps to Clinical Success

Interview with Poney Chiang

Qiological Podcast with Michael Max -- Sports Acupuncture Alliance Conference, San Jose, 2018

Interview with Eric Schanke

Upcoming Classes & Events

View Calendar

In just one module, I've learned more than in 13 years of CEU classes combined. It's knowledge I'm able to apply in my practice immediately.

Dadali Ziai, L.Ac.

I have to say the quality of teaching is nothing but superb. I highly recommend people take his course.

Alon Marcus, DOM, L.Ac., DAAPM

The quality, accessibility, and quantity of the information presented in these courses is outstanding. From clinical pearls to an important review of cautions and contraindications, these courses are very useful, even after practicing in this specialty for over 7 years! The material presents a truly integrative approach to orthopedics and sports, orthopedic and pain medicine: western anatomy, bio-mechanics, and pathologies while maintaining a strong focus on traditional Chinese medical theories.

In the past, I've found courses to apply either a TCM or a western orthopedics lens, but Dr. Von der Muhll does a wonderful job of blending the concepts in a way that is practical for patient care, logical for the practitioner, and provides language to discuss findings and treatments with our TCM and western colleagues.

For any practitioner wishing to grow  a highly effective and ethical skill set.

Leslie Yedor, L.Ac.

Thanks to the expertise and skills that I developed through training with Anthony Von der Muhll, I landed a direct contract with Kaiser Permanente, which catapulted the success of my business. Because of my training, I was able to provide the highest level of care in terms of physical exam, charting, communicating with physicians, and most importantly, providing results driven treatment, as was expected by Kaiser. The rigorous training and education provided by Anthony proved to have a profound impact on my career and its success. I own 2 acupuncture clinics in Santa Cruz, California specializing in acupuncture orthopedics and pain management. Our business is growing and expanding with the vision in mind of creating employment opportunities for acupuncturists. As part of the hiring process, we require that our acupuncturists complete certain courses with Anthony Von der Muhll, if they have not already done so, to uphold the highest standard of care. We are also more inclined to hire people from the pool of acupuncturists that have trained under Anthony, and especially those that have completed his 2-year certification program in acupuncture orthopedics.

Daniele Uzes D.A.O.M., L.Ac., DMQ

President, Solis Acupuncture, Capitola CA

These courses gave me the most complete and useful set of skills I have learned in my 10+ years of eastern medicine education. The material studied and practiced over a weekend-intensive were immediately applicable in clinic the following week, and yielded quick (often immediate) positive outcomes for patients.

Doctor Von der Muhll is a fantastic, well-organized, and adaptive lecturer, and a consummate professional. With clear learning objectives, well explained concepts and ample supervised practice time, he always left room for (and helped foster) a collegial classroom atmosphere while still keeping class focused on track. He models professional scholarly and clinical behavior while still being friendly and approachable.

Clinically relevant, well paced, and paradigm expanding for both newer and more seasoned practitioners, these courses elevate eastern medicine education. Truly a gift to our profession, I could not recommend anything more highly.

Jason P. Salim, L.Ac, MSTCM, DAOM

See more testimonials from acupuncturists.

Program Features

  • The Spine and Extremities training modules are followed by review and practicum labs featuring hands-on practice and grand rounds for enhanced retention and application of material.
  • Distance-learning/self-study courses and live webinars are available for select topics.
  • On-line Case Consultation and Clinical Support meetings provide help for difficult cases and practice management issues, and support peer-to-peer learning and networking.
  • interactive E-books, and an extensive library of slideshows, videos, algorithmic flow charts for physical exam and diagnosis, muscle trigger point charts, documentation forms, sample treatment plans and chart notes, and other training materials to support on-going self-directed learning and practice development.
  • And the most comprehensive curriculum in acupuncture orthopedics anywhere!

Certification in Integrative Acupuncture Orthopedics

Certification available upon completion of:

  • 221 didactic and practical class hours
  • 21 Case Consultation and Clinical Support hours
  • Live and written presentation of 1 orthopedic case report that meets STRICTA standards
  • Passage of on-line written and practical certification exam

Guest instructor Dr. David Anzaldua, ABFP, ABAARM, author of “An Acupuncturist’s Guide to Medical Red Flags and Referrals” to present at Module 7, February 27-28.

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Dr. Anzaldua, a family physician with over 35 years of clinical experience, will join us at Module 7 to present case studies from his practice, as well as other instruction in recognizing urgent medical conditions and making referrals.

Dr. Anzaldua is a dynamic teacher who has served as a lecturer at University of Illinois College of Medicine, Stanford University College of Medicine, the Five Branches University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College (Berkeley).

Dr. Anzaldua now rarely teaches publicly…don’t miss this unique opportunity to converse directly with a experienced family physician regarding how to build working relationships with other medical professionals, for the safety of patients and practitioners alike!

Medical Documentation & Report-Writing (IAPM Module 8): early registration discount ends February 26, 2016.

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Module 8: Medical Documentation and Report-Writing of the Integrative Acupuncture Physical Medicine program will take place Saturday, March 26, 2016 from 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at the Five Branches University of Traditional Medicine, 200 Seventh Avenue, Santa Cruz, California. Register before February 26 to ensure your place and receive a -10% discount.