Starting Your AOM Practice

Billed once per year until cancelled

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First time user? Your account will be automatically be created after purchase. Please note:

--Webinars require continuous attendance on the date(s) offered to receive PDAs/CEUs. If you cannot attend, please consider a self-paced distance-learning version instead, if available, or another class that you will be able to attend.

--Ebooks are included with class purchase--please do not purchase both. When purchased separately, Ebooks are for informational purposes only--no PDAs/CEUs.

Questions? Please visit our FAQ page. Thank you for your purchase!

Check back for next live class date, or contact us to be notified by email

Contact us to let us know of your interest in Distance-learning PDAs/CEUs


Course Content

Many acupuncture practices struggle, not for lack of medical training, but for inadequate planning, development and management of a health-care enterprise. This class will help participants plan for and implement success!

Workshop Topics:

  • Start-up essentials, options and strategies
  • Further education, training and specialization
  • Securing locations and rental/employment agreement terms that work for you and your patients
  • Business planning essentials: financing, fee-setting, and appointment schedules

Who should take these classes:

  • AOM students planning their future practice
  • Recently-licensed acupuncturists
  • Those transitioning to a new practice model or location
  • Those re-entering the profession
  • Anyone who wants support in starting and building a safe, sustainable and satisfying practice!

Participants receive:

  • A “starter kit” of sample spreadsheets, clinic operating procedures, and marketing and educational materials
  • On-going access to class notes and discussion forums
The topics in this class are continued in the afternoon 2:00-6:00 p.m., with Building Your AOM Practice:
  • Key metrics to track for business development.
  • Insurance billing basics, and whether to join–or quit–managed care networks
  • Practice and risk management essentials
  • Customer service: keys to success!
  • No-cost, efficient marketing and referral-building strategies.
  • The golden parachute: planning and selling your practice for maximum value
Take both classes for -10% off each!

Anthony Von der Muhll L.Ac., DNBAO, FAAPM specializes in sports injuries and orthopedic and pain conditions. He became Licensed as an Acupuncturist in 2003, and was the first graduate of the Five Branches University’s’ Integrative Sports Medicine program. He has served as a Clinical Instructor and Associate Professor at the Five Branches since 2005, and as a Doctoral Program Instructor in Integrative Acupuncture Orthopedics at the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences. He is also a Diplomate of the National Board of Acupuncture Orthopedics, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pain Management, and certified as a Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist (“dry needling”) through Myopain Seminars . He has over 20 years of clinical experience as a sports massage therapist, physical therapy aide, athletic training assistant, and licensed acupuncturist in multi-disciplinary clinics, including SpineMed Associates and the PRIME Pain Medicine Institute. He has also served as an Expert Witness for the California Acupuncture Board (CAB) and in malpractice litigation, and a practice manager and consultant to numerous acupuncturists. He is an approved by the CAB as a provider for Continuing Education (Provider #1225)

For more information:
Email: info@aomprofessional.com
Phone: 1-800-499-1438

Next offering: TBA. Please let us know of your interest in a distance-learning class.

View full program schedule and register for classes

Shoulder, Arm, Hand

In-Person Classes & Live Webinars

Must be attended at the time/date offered for Live PDAs/CEUs

See below for detailed description of class contents

Shoulder, Arm, Hand: Review & Practicum Lab

with Anthony Von der Muhll

Saturday, November 1, 2024, 9:00-6:00

In-person only at:

Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences

1600 Broadway, Oakland CA

Prerequisite: completion of our 16-hour Shoulder, Arm, Hand: History, Exam, Assessment & Treatment course (in-person, webinar, or distance-learning)

has been added to your cart!

First time user? Your account will be automatically be created after purchase. Please note:

--Webinars require continuous attendance on the date(s) offered to receive PDAs/CEUs. If you cannot attend, please consider a self-paced distance-learning version instead, if available, or another class that you will be able to attend.

--Ebooks are included with class purchase--please do not purchase both. When purchased separately, Ebooks are for informational purposes only--no PDAs/CEUs.

Questions? Please visit our FAQ page. Thank you for your purchase!

Contact Us > 1 month prior to class date to request CAB CEUs

Self-Paced Distance Learning

1-year on-demand access

See below for detailed description of class contents

Shoulder Arm Hand: History, Exam, Assessment & Treatment

Self-Paced Distance-Learning Module

with Anthony Von der Muhll

has been added to your cart!

First time user? Your account will be automatically be created after purchase. Please note:

--Webinars require continuous attendance on the date(s) offered to receive PDAs/CEUs. If you cannot attend, please consider a self-paced distance-learning version instead, if available, or another class that you will be able to attend.

--Ebooks are included with class purchase--please do not purchase both. When purchased separately, Ebooks are for informational purposes only--no PDAs/CEUs.

Questions? Please visit our FAQ page. Thank you for your purchase!

Comments from Course Evaluations

"Anthony has an outstanding breadth of knowledge, skill, and experience to offer. I wish I weren't trying to absorb this on my own–The online version is great for pacing, and I watched each video twice, but it's not enough. I wish it were a semester class with classmates, study groups, time to practice, etc....overall, it is OUTSTANDING and has already changed my practice. Now, onto the neck module!"

-- Laura Paris, L.Ac., Monterey, California

The Shoulder Girdle

Clinical anatomy, kinesiology, & the jing-jin ("sinew meridians" or myofascial tracts)

  • Glenohumeral, acromio- and sterno- clavicular joints
  • Muscles, tendons and ligaments of the shoulder girdle
  • Shoulder bursae

History-taking for the shoulder: key diagnostic questions

  • "Red flag" symptoms of urgent/serious medical conditions warranting referral to physician care: fractures, dislocations and complete tears; neuropathies; tumors
  • Differentiating symptoms of muscle, tendon, ligament, labral, capsular, and nerve injuries
  • Neural hypersensitization and psycho-social factors
  • Functional capacity questionnaires for reporting to managed care insurance

Physical exam of the shoulder: how findings can guide treatment with acupuncture modalities

  • Observation, inspection and palpation
  • Joint active range-of-motion and tracking exam: taking measurements and diagnostic significance
  • Assessment of joint stability through end-feel testing
  • Muscle length and manual strength testing and referred pain patterns charts for 18 key muscles of the shoulder girdle
  • Special orthopedic tests
  • Documentation of physical exam findings
  • Measuring and reporting functional capacity baselines and treatment outcomes
  • Clinical flow charts to facilitate efficiency and accuracy in examination

Diagnosis, pattern identification and treatment for shoulder girdle pain, injuries and disability

  • Gleno-humeral joint
    • Non-capsular patterns: AMBRI and SLAP (labral) tears
    • Capsular patterns: osteoarthorosis, capsulitis, and "frozen shoulder"
  • Acromio- and sterno-clavicular joint sprains/separations and hypermobility
  • Rotator cuff tendonitis/tendonosus, impingement, and bursitis
  • Bicipital tendinopathies

Arm, Wrist, and Hand

Clinical anatomy, kinesiology, and the jing-jin

  • Elbow joints: ulnar-humeral, radio-humeral and -capitellar
  • Wrist joints: ulnar-carpal, radio-carpal, and distal radio-ulnar
  • Muscles and tendons of the upper- and fore- arm and hand

History-taking for the arm, wrist, and hand: key diagnostic questions

  • "Red flag" symptoms of urgent/serious medical conditions potentially warranting referral to physician care: fractures, neuropathies, complex regional pain syndrome
  • Differentiating symptoms of muscle, tendon, ligament, joint, and nerve injuries
  • Neural hypersensitization and psycho-social factors
  • Functional capacity questionnaires for reporting to managed care insurance

Physical exam of the arm, wrist and hand

  • Observation, inspection and palpation
  • Active and passive range-of-motion examination of the elbow, wrist, and finger joints: measurements and diagnostic significance
  • Assessment of joint stability through end-feel testing of the elbow, wrist and finger
  • Peripheral nerve sensory and motor exams
  • Manual and dynamometer strength testing, muscle length testing, and referred pain pattern charts for 20 key muscles of the arm, wrist and hand
  • Special orthopedic, neurologic and vascular tests
  • Documentation of physical exam findings
  • Measuring and reporting functional capacity baselines and treatment outcomes
  • Algorithmic flow charts to facilitate efficiency and accuracy in examination

Diagnosis, pattern identification and treatment for arm, wrist and hand pain, injuries and disability

Posterior & radial tracts: yangming and shaoyang
  • Tennis elbow, extensor strains, tendinosus, radial tunnel compression neuritis and palsy
  • Radial styloid stenosing tenosynovitis
  • Radial collateral ligament sprains and hypermobility
Ulnar tract: taiyang and shaoyin
  • Ulnar neuritis/neuropathy
    • Ulnar groove compression
    • Canal of Guyon compression
  • Acute sprains and chronic laxity of the ulnar-carpal joint
  • Acute tendonitis and chronic tendonosus
    • Golfer’s elbow & “medial epicondylitis”
    • Extensor carpi ulnaris
    • Flexor carpi ulnaris
    • Abductor digiti minimi
    • Ulnar collateral ligament laxity & “Little league elbow”
Anterior tract: taiyin, shaoyin, jueyin
  • Biceps, supinator and forearm flexor tendonitis and tendonosus
  • Median neuritis/neuropathy
    • Pronator teres syndrome
    • Carpal tunnel syndrome
Intrinsic wrist conditions
  • 1st CMC joint pain: sprains, DJD
  • Triangular fibrocartilage complex tears
Intrinsic hand conditions
  • MCP and inter-phalangeal joints
    • Sprains and laxity of finger collateral ligaments
    • Degenerative joint disease
  • Finger extensor tendonitis

Ergonomics, postural correction and exercise therapy for shoulder, arm and hand conditions:

  • Scapular stabilization
  • Rotator cuff strengthening
  • Forearm exercises
  • Wrist stabilization
  • Keyboard ergonomics

Build on your skills with the Review/Practicum Lab

View full certification program and register for live and self-paced distance-learning classes.

Check back for next live class date, or contact us to be notified by email

Hip, Thigh and Knee — Review and Practicum Lab

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First time user? Your account will be automatically be created after purchase. Please note:

--Webinars require continuous attendance on the date(s) offered to receive PDAs/CEUs. If you cannot attend, please consider a self-paced distance-learning version instead, if available, or another class that you will be able to attend.

--Ebooks are included with class purchase--please do not purchase both. When purchased separately, Ebooks are for informational purposes only--no PDAs/CEUs.

Questions? Please visit our FAQ page. Thank you for your purchase!

Mon July 15, 2024, 9:00-6:00, 1600 Broadway, Oakland CA
8 NCCAOM PDAs & CAB CEUs Category 1 approved

  • Labs focus on areas of technical difficulty, and provide an opportunity for presentation, demonstration treatment and discussion of challenging cases.
  • Practice, apply, re-inforce and expand upon physical exam and treatment techniques taught in the associated Hip, Thigh, Knee didactic module.
  • Note: Practicum/Review modules are open only to participants who have completed the prior associated didactic module: Hip, Thigh, Knee.

Hip, Thigh and Knee Physical Exam

  • Hip AROM assessment
  • Hip PROM/joint end-feel testing
    • FABER
    • FADIR
  • Manual strength testing of thigh and buttock muscles
    • Gluteus minimus, medius and maximus
    • Hip external rotators
    • Tensor fascia lata
    • Rectus femoris
    • Sartorius
    • Iliopsoas
    • Medial and lateral quadriceps
    • Medial and lateral hamstrings
    • Hip adductors
  • Muscle length tests
    • Thomas test
  • Knee AROM assessment
  • Knee PROM/joint end-feel, and special orthopedic tests
    • Flexion and extension passive overpressure
    • Valgus, varus, anterior/posterior, rotation, and shear testing
    • Patello-femoral examination and testing

Treatment

  • Trigger point needling, manual therapy and cupping for gluteals, hip rotators, iliotibial band, quadriceps, hamstrings, adductors
  • Joint stabilization/mobilization needling ("prolo-acupuncture") for the knee
    • MCL, LCL, ACL, PCL ligaments
    • Coronary ligaments and meniscii
    • Patello-femoral tendons/ligaments, bursa and joint
    • Superior tibio-fibular joint
  • Patello-femoral taping
  • Exercise therapy for hip and knee pain

Case presentation/treatment demonstration and discussion

View full certification program and register for live and self-paced distance-learning classes.

Medical Documentation: Essential Best Practices

for Better Care, Reimbursement, Referral-building, and Malpractice Defense

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

has been added to your cart!

First time user? Your account will be automatically be created after purchase. Please note:

--Webinars require continuous attendance on the date(s) offered to receive PDAs/CEUs. If you cannot attend, please consider a self-paced distance-learning version instead, if available, or another class that you will be able to attend.

--Ebooks are included with class purchase--please do not purchase both. When purchased separately, Ebooks are for informational purposes only--no PDAs/CEUs.

Questions? Please visit our FAQ page. Thank you for your purchase!

Billed once per year until cancelled

has been added to your cart!

First time user? Your account will be automatically be created after purchase. Please note:

--Webinars require continuous attendance on the date(s) offered to receive PDAs/CEUs. If you cannot attend, please consider a self-paced distance-learning version instead, if available, or another class that you will be able to attend.

--Ebooks are included with class purchase--please do not purchase both. When purchased separately, Ebooks are for informational purposes only--no PDAs/CEUs.

Questions? Please visit our FAQ page. Thank you for your purchase!

Check back for next live class date, or contact us to be notified by email


Professional medical charting and reports are vital for:

  • Supporting insurance reimbursement, surviving insurance audits and records requests
  • Building referral relationships and improving coordination of care with other medical professionals
  • Improving outcomes and learning from your patient cases
  • Defense in cases of malpractice and complaints to regulatory agencies

Class Topics:

  • Bring your charting up to the highest standards of professionalism: best practices in contents, organization, terminology for initial visit HPIs and follow-up SOAP notes
    • Subjective
    • Objective
    • Assessment
    • Plan
  • Practical and efficient charting techniques: save time and effort while improving quality
    • Paper vs. electronic health records systems: how to choose and make them work for your clinic
    • Pros and cons of templates, checklists, and narratives: avoiding the appearance of "rote" treatment
    • Custodianship and transfer of patient records: keeping it safe and legal
    • Further learning: developing charting skills for your areas of specialization

Distance learning/self-study, E-book and live class notes feature sample initial visit (History of Present Illness) and progress (SOAP) reports.

Live class features instructor-lead peer review/feedback regarding student chart notes.

***Please note: For Certification in Acupuncture Orthopedics, either the live class (8 hours/CEUs/PDAs), or the distance-learning class (5 hours CEUs/PDAs) + one live 3-hour clinical case mentorship meeting focused on medical documentation (no CEUs/PDAs)  is required.***

Billing managed care insurance? You'll also want to take Report-Writing Workshop for Managed Care: HMO, Personal Injury, and Workers Compensation. Take both classes for -10% off each.

Student Ratings and Comments

from evaluation from prior live class offering in 2016, as required by California Acupuncture Board

Respondents: 13 of 17 enrolled

Average rating: 99/100

  • “Anthony as always is superbly professional, knowledgeable, and encouraging improvements in clinical practice. Thank you!”  --Anonymous
  • “All of your classes have been instrumental in my ability to improve patient care–but it could be a 2-day course to cover more. Thank you!”  –Jennifer Root, L.Ac.
  • “I always enjoy Anthony’s classes, very helpful info.”  --Anonymous

View full certification program and register for live and self-paced distance-learning classes.

Acupuncture Treatment of the Taiyang Jing-Jin (“Sinew Meridian”): the Posterior Tract

8 Distance-learning NCCAOM PDAs approved

Contact Us to request CAB CEUs

has been added to your cart!

First time user? Your account will be automatically be created after purchase. Please note:

--Webinars require continuous attendance on the date(s) offered to receive PDAs/CEUs. If you cannot attend, please consider a self-paced distance-learning version instead, if available, or another class that you will be able to attend.

--Ebooks are included with class purchase--please do not purchase both. When purchased separately, Ebooks are for informational purposes only--no PDAs/CEUs.

Questions? Please visit our FAQ page. Thank you for your purchase!

Check back for next live class date, or contact us to be notified by email


The taiyang  筋 jing-jin ("sinew meridian") of Chinese medicine describes the myofascial tract that runs along the posterior body from head to toe. Understanding the taiyang jing-jin can guide clinicians from where pain is felt distally and proximally towards additional muscles, tendons, joints and ligaments that also may need treatment. Learn classical and modern examination and treatment of the taiyang jing-jin tissues, including:

Leg Taiyang Jing-Jin

  • Plantar fascia
  • Achilles tendon
  • Gastroc-soleus complex
  • Hamstrings
  • Sacrotuberous ligament
  • Gluteus maximus
  • Thoracolumbar fascia
  • Erector spinae
  • Latissimus dorsi
  • Trapezii
  • Posterior cervicals and suboccipitals

Arm Taiyang Jing-Jin

  • Levator scapula
  • Rhomboids
  • Infraspinatus
  • Triceps brachii
  • Extensor carpi ulnaris
  • Abductor digiti minimi

Learn classical and modern methods of treating the jing-jin, including:

Instructional methods include:

  • Comparison of ancient source translationss with dissection studies and functional analyses of myofascial tissues: bony attachments and kinematic chains of muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia
  • Review of postural vs. phasic muscles and balance between agonist/antagonist muscle groups
  • Classical palpation techniques integrated with assessment of the movement, strength, and joint stabilization functions of the taiyang jing-jin
  • Anatomical charts of myofascial referred pain patterns, including muscle attachment sites and functions, innervation, and trigger, motor and Chinese new/miscellaneous points for over 25 muscles and connective tissue structures that form the taiyang jing-jin

Knowing the jing-jin is a valuable complement to the cross-sectional approach of contemporary orthopedics, and opens up to avenues towards holistic rehabilitation from injuries, pain and disability, including:

  • Decreased muscle-tendon pain and tension, and improved strength and function
  • Decreased joint pain and enhanced stability and biomechanics
  • Increased muscle-tendon flexibility and joint range-of-motion

Acupuncture Treatment of the Jing-Jin ("Sinew Meridians"): Introduction is strongly recommended as a pre-requisite.

See the other classes in this 4-part series:  Shaoyang, Yangming and 3 Yin Jing-Jin. Take more than 1 for 10% off each!

Student Comments and Ratings

From evaluations as required by NCCAOM & California Acupuncture Board.

Respondents: 40 of 45 enrolled

Comments:

  • "Thank you for the great class! 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 medicine. 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."  --Leslie Yedor, L.Ac.
  • “Very articulate and precise…great 1-on-1 attention.  –Jessica Giese-Garderner, L.Ac.
  • “Amazing–Thank you!  –Jessica Luehrs, L.Ac.
  • This class was a really great review as well as including new material” —Daniele Uzes, L.Ac.
  • “Great knowledge of anatomy, very in-depth. Thank you for adding to the written notes on-line…I really appreciated Anthony’s in-depth clinical experience and his willingness to share..I’m taking more classes!!!”   –Monica Bowditch, L.Ac.
  • “Tons of great info, many applicable tools, with some practice indeed…great for sports acu/pain/ortho.” —Joe Sarti, L.Ac.
  • “I especially enjoyed reviewing anatomy whilst doing practical exercises to improve my skills…very good explanations…great that notes are digital and linked.” –Michael E. Brown, Jr., L.Ac.
  • “I like the charts and photos, this is truly useful!” —Anonymous, L.Ac.
  • "Excellent!" --Anonymous
  • "I learned a lot. Anthony is very knowledgeable."  --Anonymous
  • “I wish I had taken this when I got my license in 2006.” —Anonymous, L.Ac.

Average Ratings. Overall: 5/5

The class met its goals/objectives and covered subject materials as stated:  5/5

The class material will be useful in my clinical practice:  5/5

The instructor made effective use of learning aids: slideshows, notes, videos:  5/5

The class provided enough depth, breadth and detail of information:  5/5

The instructor provided adequate instruction in the skills and subjects addressed in the class:  5/5

The written notes were clear, adequate and helpful:  5/5

The number of CEUs/PDAs was appropriate for the time and work required:  5/5

 

Source Texts Referenced in this Class

  • Acupuncture: A Comprehensive Text. Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. O’Connor and Bensky, trans. and ed. (1981)
  • Kendall, Donald E. The Dao of Chinese Medicine: Understanding an Ancient Health Art. (2002)
  • Legge, David. Jing Jin: Acupuncture Treatment of the Muscular System Using the Meridian Sinews.  (2010)
  • Meyers, Thomas W. Anatomy Trains: Myofascial Meridians for Movement Therapists. (2009)
  • Simmons, Travell, Simmons and Cummings. Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual, vols. 1-2. (any edition)

Suggested Class Preparation

Acupuncture Treatment of the Jing-Jin ("Sinew Meridians"): Introduction is strongly recommended as a pre-requisite.

Prior review of clinical musculoskeletal anatomy and kinesiology of the posterior body structures listed above (including joints and their planes of motion, ligaments, tendons, muscle attachments and functions, innervation) is recommended to make the most of this learning opportunity. Students are advised to have ready access to clinical anatomy references texts, apps or on-line resources during live webinars and in-person classes.

See the other classes in this 4-part series:  Shaoyang, Yangming and 3 Yin Jing-Jin. Take more than 1 for 10% off each!

View full certification program and register for live and self-paced distance-learning classes.

Clinical Applications of AOM Research

Check back for next live class date, or contact us to be notified by email

Contact us to let us know of your interest in Distance-learning PDAs/CEUs

Billed once per year until cancelled

has been added to your cart!

First time user? Your account will be automatically be created after purchase. Please note:

--Webinars require continuous attendance on the date(s) offered to receive PDAs/CEUs. If you cannot attend, please consider a self-paced distance-learning version instead, if available, or another class that you will be able to attend.

--Ebooks are included with class purchase--please do not purchase both. When purchased separately, Ebooks are for informational purposes only--no PDAs/CEUs.

Questions? Please visit our FAQ page. Thank you for your purchase!


Enhance your familiarity with AOM research, and your ability to:

  • Obtain improved outcomes with a wider variety of cases, by applying research regarding mechanisms of AOM modalities, techniques and treatment variables;
  • Educate patients, health-care practitioners, and the general public regarding AOM therapeutic mechanisms;
  • Participate in professional discussions and studies with other medical providers and researchers;

Assessing Research Quality and Relevance

Improve efficiency and accuracy in evaluating research for its quality and relevance, including:

  • Independence from bias and financial interests
  • Blinding of subjects and evaluators
  • P-values, confidence intervals, statistical power and sample size, effect size, number-needed-to-treat, and more
  • Patient-practitioner relationships and the “Therapeutic Alliance”
  • Patient beliefs and expectations, placebo and nocebo genomics, and the “Placebo Paradox”

Review studies regarding therapeutic mechanisms of AOM modalities

including explanatory studies of acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, myofascial trigger point needling, cupping and gua sha:

  • The inflammatory cascade, and provocation of anti-inflammatory responses
  • Diffuse noxious inhibitory controls and closing the spinal gate
  • Homeostatic processes of the peripheral and central nervous and vascular systems
  • Myofascial tissue stimulation, including trigger point reduction, tension homeostasis, and disruptive and proliferative effects
  • Bio-psycho-social variables in patient responses to acupuncture
  • Effects of concurrent use of anti-inflammatory medications and opiates/opioids

¹with California Acupuncture Board

Next offering: TBA. Please let us know of your interest in a distance-learning class.

View full program schedule and register for classes

Clinical Applications of AOM Research: Class Notes and E-book

Class Content Notes
How Interactive E-books work: Read this first View Guide
1. Overview: Why research?; Types and Levels of Research; Challenges View Slideshow
2. Ancient Acupuncture Technique Variables from "Acupuncture: A Comprehensive Text" View Slideshow
3. Assessing Research Quality View Slideshow
4. "Placebo Effects" and the Therapeutic Alliance View Slideshow
5. Case Reporting Guidelines View Slideshow
6. Therapeutic Mechanisms of Needling View Slideshow

Anatomy/Cadaver Lab: the Myofascial Tracts of Acupuncture

aka the "Sinew Meridians"

With Instructor Anthony Von der Muhll, L.Ac., DNBAO, FAIPM

Check back for next live class date, or contact us to be notified by email


Study the structure and function of the jing-jin (myofascial tracts or “sinew meridians”) in a cadaver lab.

  • Review how different depths and angles of needle insertion can be used to affect different tissues.
  • See where needles can safely and usefully be inserted–and also should never go–in actual anatomical specimens.
  • Learn the way ancient physicians did: by tracing the longitudinal fascial connectivity between bones, muscles, tendons, organs, and neuro-vascular bundles that make up the jing-jin or myofascial tracts.

Structures reviewed will include both appropriate targets for neuro-anatomical acupuncture, and adjacent critical structures to avoid puncturing (in italics):

  • Taiyang: plantar fascia and superficial musculature; Achilles tendon; hamstrings; (sciatic nerves); sacro-tuberous and sacro-iliac ligaments; paraspinal musculature; facet joints and discs; (kidneys, pleural cavity) trapezius, sub-occipitals, (brain stem), levator scapula, and rhomboids; triceps brachii, ulnar-carpal joint.
  • Shaoyangperoneal muscles; superior tib-fib joint; IT band; gluteals, quadratus lumborum (kidneys), serratus anterior, sterno-cleido-mastoid (carotid artery, jugular vein), scalenes (dome of lung, brachial plexus), supraspinatus.
  • Yangming: tibialis anterior; knee ACL, PCL, meniscii and patello-femoral structures; adductors, (femoral nerve, artery, vein) iliopsoas; acromio-clavicular and gleno-humeral joints; forearm extensor compartment and radial tunnel.
  • 3 Yin: tibialis posterior; popliteus; (popliteal artery, tibial nerve) knee MCL; vastus medialis; pectorals; (axial and brachial neurovascular bundles); biceps brachii, supinator, and pronator teres; (median and ulnar nerves) carpal and ulnar tunnels.

My personal statement about cadaver lab as a learning experience:

Of all the classes that I teach, this is the one that means the most to me personally and professionally.

Why do I feel so passionately about spending a day in a chilly lab with a bunch of dead bodies  that smell like preservative chemicals? In no other setting do we have the opportunity to study the technical, tangible and physical structure and function of humans from the inside out, and to simultaneously appreciate the transiency and poignancy of the gift of life, with all its sorrows and joys its pleasures and pains.

By seeing where our all of our ancestors have gone, and where we and every patient we treat and every person we know will go, we can see the physical body as a temporary vehicle for the soul, and come to a greater reverence for the value of health, healing, and happiness.

And this lab fills me with appreciation for the generosity the people and their families who give this extraordinary and privileged opportunity to examine their bodies, so that we may put such knowledge to use in the service of humanity, and that we may all enjoy the brief time we have together on our fragile planet Earth. To everyone who makes it possible for us to learn about life from death, I give my profound and heartfelt thanks.

And to those interested in such learning, I hope you will join me in enjoying and making the most of this journey of curiosity, love, and reverence for the miracle of being.

Please note: due to chemicals used and stored in cadaver laboratories, we are unable to register students who are pregnant or nursing.

Next offering: TBA. Please let us know of your interest in a distance-learning class.

View full program schedule and register for classes

Practice-Building and Risk Management: Classes & E-books

Grow and maintain a safe, ethical, and sustainable practice with these classes to sharpen your knowledge and skills in risk and practice management. Anthony Von der Muhll, L.Ac. lends his experience with cultivating physician referrals and building a successful, busy practice from scratch in a highly-competitive market (Santa Cruz, California, a small community with a large, old TCM school). Learn ways market successfully without social media, prepaid packages, advertising, or other expensive and high-risk marketing techniques!

Anthony Von der Muhll has also served as an expert witness in over 20 cases of malpractice, regulatory board, and insurance investigations driven by consumer complaints. As one of very few acupuncture expert witnesses nationwide, he offers unique insights as to how to avoid medical malpractice and inadvertent legal and ethical lapses. Learn the easy way so you don't have to learn the hard way!

Required for Certification in Integrative Acupuncture Orthopedics:

Electives: