Assessing and Treating from the Body’s Foundation

Course Instructor:  Mary J. Rogel, Ph.D., L.Ac.

Time:      10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (with an hour for lunch)

Where:    Hyde Park Bank Building

                1525 East 53^rd Street, 4^th Floor Conference Room

Cost:       To be determined

                5 NCCAOM PDAs for Part I; pending for remaining

                    parts

Note:   You will get more out of this series if you have taken

                        “Keys to the Kingdom” first.

Dates:  Foundation classes will be scheduled in Summer/Fall of 2010; entire sequence will be offered prior to June 30, 1011.

        Seminar                                                               Date

Part I:           Lumbar Spine, Sacrum, and Pelvis                 

Part II:          Lower Extremities                                             

Part III:         Thoracic Spine, Rib Cage, & Abdomen            

Part IV:         Cervical Spine, Head, & Jaw                           

Part V:          Upper Extremities                                             

Syllabus

Architects know that the foundation of a tall building must be set on bedrock if the building is to be stable and enduring.  This concept applies to the body, as well.  The lumbar spine, sacrum, and pelvis are the structural foundation of the entire body.  In this series, we will examine the body’s structural foundation; show how mechanical forces translate upward, downward, and internally; learn to assess them; and practice treating them with acupuncture and various manual techniques.  

Part I:  Lumbar Spine, Sacrum, and Pelvis

·       Unique structural and functional features of the lumbar spine, sacrum, and pelvis

·       The “pivotal” role of the sacroiliac joints in body mechanics

·       How to assess flexion and extension problems, and sacroiliac joint problems

·       How the pelvis translates mechanical forces upward, downward, and internally

·       Typical disorders of the lumbar spine, sacrum, sacroiliac joint, and pelvis, including sciatica

·       How the pelvis can “lock” a spinal problem in place, and how to “unlock” the pelvis

·       Learn treatment methods using needle and non-needle techniques

·       Learn which problems really need surgery and which can be treated successfully with acupuncture and OM techniques

·       Learn rehab protocols to help your treatments “hold”

Part II:  Lower Extremities

·       Structure and function of the hip, knee, ankle, and foot

·       How the joints of the lower extremities work as a unit

·       How the lower extremities and the low back and pelvis affect each other

·       Why and how the lower extremity needs to be treated to “fix” a back problem

·       How to align the bones of the knee

·       How to restore motion to the ankle

·       How to restore the arch of the foot

·       Understand the mechanics of gait

·       Specific treatment issues, e.g., plantar fascitis, bunions, joint replacements, sprains, fractures, injections, rehab

Part III:  Thoracic Spine, Rib Cage, and Abdomen

·       How the condition of the low back and pelvis affect the midsection of the body

·       How the midsection of the body “locks” lumbar and pelvic problems in place, yet functions as a flexible tube connecting the pelvic and shoulder girdles

·       How to “unlock” the midsection, including flexion and extension problems in the thoracics

·       How to assess and align the rib cage

·       How to assess and treat the abdominal muscles and fascia

·       How to assess and treat the diaphragm

·       How to determine whether a problem is “internal” or orthopedic

·       Specific treatment issues, e.g., scoliosis, humps, breathing problems, post-surgical care of the abdomen and chest including scars

Part IV:  Cervical Spine, Head, and Jaw

·       How the neck, head, and jaw reflect problems of the low back and pelvis

·       Unique structural features of the neck, head, and jaw

·       How to restore motion to the neck

·       Why and how to treat the soft tissue of the head

·       How to assess and treat jaw problems

·       How to restore symmetry to the skull

·       Specific treatment issues, e.g., ear problems, sinus problems, throat problems, “TMJ” problems, salivary glands and lymph nodes, migraines and headaches

Part V:  Upper Extremities

·       Structure and function of the shoulder, shoulder girdle, elbow, wrist, and hand

·       How the joints of the upper extremities work as a unit

·       How the upper extremities are affected by the low back and pelvis

·       Why and how the low back and pelvis need to be treated to “fix” an arm problem

·       How to restore range of motion to the shoulder

·       The importance of the sternoclavicular joint and how to assess and treat it

·       How to restore motion to the elbow, wrist, and hand

·       Specific treatment issues, e.g., frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger or thumb, rehab