Course Overview

Pain and inflammation on the top of the shoulder is usually due to pathology of the acromial-clavicular (AC) joint. Acutely, this is called a shoulder separation, and involves sprain to the acromial-clavicular ligament. Chronically, pain at this joint may simply be arthritis, and is diagnosed as a Bi syndrome.

Because there is no defined point at the AC joint, the acupuncturist often overlooks this as a cause of shoulder pain, especially in the chronic state. Located between Large Intestine 16 on the medial aspect and Large Intestine 15 on the lateral aspect, these two points serve as effective adjacent sites for needling. However, this webinar will cover some very innovative treatments involving “threading the joint space” at Large Intestine 15.5.

AC separation as well as chronic inflammation involves injury at the level of the ligaments, tendons, and the joint. There is qi and blood stagnation in the channels and collaterals. The Large Intestine is the primary meridian affected. Thus, in addition to the local and adjacent treatment, distal Yang-ming points may greatly assist in effective outcomes. In this webinar, Whitfield Reaves will discuss this often overlooked diagnosis, and cover the relatively simple details of acupuncture sports medicine techniques.

This series was introduced in 2011, and is based upon single individual sports injuries. Each course provides simple and direct video for first time viewing as well as to increase precision through repetition. Even if you have taken the newer series, Mastering the Treatment of Injury and Pain, this old series is still an excellent resource for review and is filled with clinical gems.

Course Objectives

• To perform one orthopedic test and palpation that assists in the diagnosis of the condition.
• To know two adjacent points that may be used in the treatment of the condition.
• To be able to describe needle technique on the local zone of the AC joint.
• To name two distal points that may be useful in an acute AC joint separation.
• To describe the symptoms reported by the patient suffering from AC joint arthritis.
• To know the signs and symptoms of shoulder separation, and when it is necessary to refer the patient for orthopedic evaluation.

Course Outline

0 hrs - 15 minAnatomy of the AC Joint.

15 min - 30 minClinical Assessment of the pathology of the AC Joint.

30 min - 45 minDemonstration of Assessment techniques.

45 min - 1 hrsDemonstration of needling technique for injuries of the AC joint.