Acupressure for Optimal Pelvic Health - Remote Course

Over the last several decades there has been a rising interest in complementary holistic medicine and Acupressure has come forth as an effective therapeutic modality for symptom management in Western healthcare. Acupressure is an Eastern treatment modality that combines massage and features of acupuncture dating almost 3000 years ago¹. It’s a technique used to release blocked Qi by applying finger pressure to points on meridians². It is considered a form of acupuncture in which fingers, thumbs, and elbows are used to stimulate the body’s acupuncture points³. It has also been described as a form of bodywork based on traditional Chinese meridian theory in which acupuncture points are pressed to stimulate the flow of energy or Qi⁴.

Acupressure is widely considered to be a noninvasive, low cost, and efficient complementary alternative medical approach to alleviate pain. The application of pressure to points located along the energy meridians of the body have been established and utilized in Traditional Chinese Medicine⁶. These acupoints are thought to exert certain psychologic, neurologic, and immunologic effects to balance optimum physiologic and psychologic functions⁶.

This continuing education course is a two-day seminar that offers participants an evidence-based perspective on the application of Acupressure for evaluating and treating a host of pelvic health conditions including bowel, bladder and pelvic pain issues. The course explores a brief history of Acupressure, its roots in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and presents current evidence that supports the use of complementary and alternative medicine as an adjunct to western medicine. TCM concepts of Meridian theory and energy channels are presented with scientific evidence of Acupoints transmitting energy through interstitial connective tissue with potentially powerful integrative applications through multiple systems.

Lectures will present evidence on use of potent Acupressure points and combinations of points for treating a variety of pelvic health conditions including chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, constipation, digestive disturbances and urinary dysfunctions to name a few. Key acupoints for decreasing anxiety, stress and bringing the body back to a state of physiological balance are integrated throughout the course.

Participants will be instructed through live lecture and demonstrations on the anatomic location and mapping of acupressure points along five major meridians including the spleen, stomach, kidney, urinary bladder and gall bladder meridians. Key associated points in the pericardium, large intestine, small intestine, lung and liver meridians as well as the governing and conception vessels will also be introduced. The course offers a brief introduction to Yin yoga and explores Yin poses within each meridian to channelize energy through neurodynamic pathways to promote healing across multiple systems. Participants will learn how to create home programs and exercise sequences and will be able to integrate acupressure and Yin yoga into their orthopedic and pelvic health interventions.

Special Considerations and Lab materials
The labs for this course will involve external whole-body palpation and mapping of acupressure points. Please wear fitted t-shirt and leggings or yoga pants for acupressure point mapping. Participants should buy a pack of 1 inch diameter white circle stickers to be used in Labs for mapping acupressure points.

Participants are encouraged to use a Yoga mat if available and any other props they may have at home including yoga blocks, small blankets, towels and pillows to be used in the guided Yin Yoga Lab portion of the course.

Recommended resources: It is recommended that participants purchase an Acupressure Point Chart for ease of following the course work and labs in this course. Since the accuracy of points and content may vary on different charts, it is recommended to buy a copy at https://acupressure.com/products/acupressure-charts/

Target Audience:
This continuing education seminar is targeted to physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and other rehabilitation professionals who use manual therapy as a treatment modality. Knowledge of acupressure points with specific anatomical landmarks will enable clinicians to add to their toolbox skills for treating a variety of pelvic health conditions related to the bowel, bladder and treatment of pelvic pain.

Prerequisites:
It is recommended that the participants have a working knowledge of the functional anatomy of pelvic floor muscles as well as various associated pelvic health conditions. Pelvic Floor 1 through Herman & Wallace or Pelvic PT 1 through the APTA is strongly recommended.

References
1. Longhurst, JC. Defining Meridians: A Modern Basis of Understanding. J Acupuncture and Meridian Studies. 3 (2) 2010 67-74
2. Jonas WB. Mosby’s dictionary of complementary and alternative medicine. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby, 2005.
3. Kayne SB. Complementary therapies for pharmacists. London, UK: Pharmaceutical Press, 2002.
4. Yuan C-S, Bieber EJ, Bauer BA. Textbook of complementary and alternative medicine, 2nd ed. London, UK: Informa UK, 2006
5. Jason Jishun Hao, Michele Mittelman Glob Adv Health Med. 2014 Jul; 3(4): Acupuncture: Past, Present, and Future
6. E. Monson, D. Arney, B. Benham, R. Bird, E. Elias, K. Linden, D. Waggy. Beyond pills: acupressure impact on self-rated pain and anxiety scores, J. Alternative Compl. Med. 25 (5) (2019) 517–52