We hope you enjoyed a great start to 2024! With the Wood Dragon Lunar New Year soon approaching, we wish you all abundant health, joy, and prosperity, as well as improved clinical outcomes!

Last month, we kicked off Module II of our SMAC Program: The Low Back, Hip & Groin with the Postural Imbalances & Acupuncture Protocols (PIAP) and Myofascial Techniques & Therapeutic Exercise! (MTTE) classes, which were a great success.

Here is one of the great testimonials we received: 

"This Postural Imbalances and Acupuncture Protocols class has been very helpful to have a better understanding of orthopedics, posture and how it relates to Chinese medicine. The class has a perfect blend of lecture, demonstrations and hands on practice. The individualized attention and feedback I have received while needling and palpating has been eye opening! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this program!" Alejandra Reyes DACM, Dipl O.M., L.Ac 

See this month's blog for more input from students who recently completed this class!

Next up we are offering Module II Assessment & Treatment of Injury classes on two coasts: April 17-21 in NJ and May 1-5 in CA! In this class, the student will learn to identify, assess, and treat many low back, hip, and groin injuries. In addition, the student will learn the relationship of the pelvic floor and low back pain. Pelvic floor needling will be taught and practiced. Pelvic floor needling is optional and will occur after class on day two. 

*For students taking the SMAC Program, either all in person or as HYBRID, you only need to take one of the two!

With a new revised format and two clear program tracks—In-Person and Hybrid Online/In-Person—we are anticipating this program to be the best ever! Classes are filling up so please register soon to reserve your spot.

Learn more about the 23-25 SMAC Program tracks:

• ALL IN-PERSON TRACK —12 new & improved in-person classes 
• HYBRID TRACK — 10 recorded webinars and 4 live, in-person only Assessment & Treatment of Injury classes

SMAC Program Helpful links: 

• Overview, Schedule & Accommodations Information 
• In-Person Registration (with dates, prices & requirements) 
• SMAC Online Recorded Webinars (for Hybrid track)
• All In-Person Track Class Descriptions
• Hybrid Track Class Descriptions 
• SMAC Progam FAQs

Keep in mind...

• You have two entire program years to complete all required classes if you are pursuing the certification track AND you do not need to start with any particular module or take modules in order,
• Participants also have the option to matriculate in SMAC Program classes at any time and to take individual courses either in-person or online 
• The four required live, in-person only classes are now being offered on both coasts—in San Diego, CA and in Bloomfield, NJ! 
• All live, in-person and recorded courses are NCCAOM and CAB CEU/PDA approved! 

SMA FOUNDATIONAL CLASSES

NEW FOUNDATIONAL CLASS ALERT!!! We are proud to introduce our newest SMA Foundational class:  

TRIGGER POINT NEEDLING FOR THE HEAD, NECK & SHOULDER 

17 CEU's NCCAOM (Pending)

This hands-on workshop focuses on the identification, palpation, and needling of myofascial trigger points associated with the head, neck, and shoulder. The techniques taught are invaluable to the treatment of pain conditions and are easily incorporated into your existing acupuncture practice. You’ll leave this class:

• having an anatomical understanding of trigger points, as well as peripheral and central sensitization 
• understanding the role trigger points play in the channel system as well as key clinical signs to recognize when employing trigger point needling
• gaining confidence in needling sensitive structures of the head, neck, chest, and upper back outside of their standard education  

We’re offering this class on two different dates in two different locations:

1. April 13-14, 2024 at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, MN LEARN MORE AND REGISTER
2. June 1-2, 2024 at Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine in Bradenton, FL LEARN MORE AND REGISTER 

3-DAY CADAVER LABS FOR THE ACUPUNCTURIST 

REGISTRATION IS OPENING FEBRUARY 16, 2024 FOR SEPTEMBER CLASS

Mark your calendars—registration for the September 13-15, 2024 class will open February 16. Our March class was sold out in less than a week so don't miss out! Whether you’re an experienced practitioner or an acupuncture school student, these unique and amazing experiences should not be missed. Stay connected and LEARN MORE!

FOUNDATIONAL CLASSES IN CANADA 

With a massive discount for our Canadian residents, don't miss out on registering for these two classes!

On February 24-25, 2024, we’ll be back in Edmonton, AB, Canada offering the ASSESSMENT & TREATMENT OF LOWER EXTREMITY INJURIES. In this class, many sport and orthopedic-related injuries will be covered, such as greater trochanter bursitis, adductor and hamstring strains, knee pain including cartilage and ligament injuries, shin splints, ankle sprain and fractures. ***REGISTRATION CLOSING SOON SO DON'T MISS OUT!*** 

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER NOW! 

On April 13-14, 2024, we’re heading to Calgary, AB Canada, where we’ll be offering the ASSESSMENT & TREATMENT OF NECK & ROTATOR CUFF INJURIES. Injury to the neck will often involve shoulder symptoms and, conversely, shoulder pain frequently involves the cervical and thoracic spine. In this class, practitioners will learn about common neck and rotator cuff injuries including supraspinatus tendinopathy, as well as how to clearly assess and treat whether pain is coming from the neck and/or whether imbalances in the shoulder girdle are contributing to issues in the rotator cuff.

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER NOW!

3. FEATURED ARTICLE:

Postural Imbalances and Acupuncture Protocols (PIAP) Testimonials from the January 17-21, 2024 Course

By: AcuSport Education

4. SMAC PROGRAM CLASSES

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