Acupuncture For The Upper Extremity Using Fascial Acupuncture Techniques

Overview

This course introduces a clinically focused approach to treating upper extremity musculoskeletal conditions using fascial acupuncture techniques.

Led by experienced physiotherapists and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners Enoch Ho and John Chan, this session bridges Eastern and Western frameworks - integrating meridian theory, yin-yang principles, and chi flow concepts with modern anatomical and fascial science.

Rather than focusing on introductory needle insertion training, this course emphasizes clinical application. Participants will learn how fascia can serve as both a mechanical and energetic therapeutic target, enhancing pain modulation and functional recovery in upper limb conditions.

This is an advanced, application-driven course designed to refine clinical reasoning and expand therapeutic precision for practitioners already trained in acupuncture or dry needling.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the role of fascia in upper extremity musculoskeletal pain.

2. Gain an understanding of Fascial Energy Acupuncture Technique (FEAT)

3. Learn the etiology, incidence, pathology and clinical presentation of a rotator cuff tear and De Quervain’s Syndrome

4. Differentiate this approach from traditional point-based acupuncture methods.
   
   

Case Studies

Three case studies are incorporated throughout the course to apply knowledge to a patient case and gain a better understanding.

• Case study one: A high school student with left anterior shoulder pain and weakness
• Case study two: A woman with complaints of pain in her right lateral wrist that radiates down to the right thumb
• Case study three: A healthcare provider with tingling and numbness in fingers and hand

The case studies discuss patient subjective and objective assessments, acupuncture points for treatment, anatomy and the method of applying the acupuncture needle including direction and depth of needle. 

Audience

This course is designed for:

• Physiotherapists trained in acupuncture or dry needling

• Clinicians integrating TCM into musculoskeletal practice

• Practitioners seeking advanced upper extremity treatment strategies

• Rehabilitation professionals interested in fascia-informed approaches

Note: This is not an introductory needling certification course. Participants should already possess foundational acupuncture skills.

Why This Course Matters

Upper extremity musculoskeletal conditions, such as shoulder pain, lateral elbow pain, and wrist dysfunction, are common in clinical practice. While traditional acupuncture and dry needling approaches are widely used, fascial acupuncture offers a refined strategy that:

• Targets connective tissue continuity rather than isolated points

• Integrates meridian theory with biomechanical and anatomical insight

• Combines needling with skilled manual techniques

• Aims for rapid symptom improvement and functional gains

This method recognizes fascia as a dynamic, interconnected system influencing pain, mobility, and neuromuscular coordination. By treating fascia as both a structural and energetic interface, clinicians can enhance treatment precision and potentially improve patient outcomes.

The course also models how dual training in physiotherapy and TCM can deepen clinical reasoning - supporting a truly integrative, evidence-informed approach.

About the Presenters

Enoch Ho, MPh, PT, RAc, Assistant Clinical Professor, McMaster University

Enoch Ho has been involved in teaching and supervising students in clinical practice and research in both physiotherapy and acupuncture for many years. His research interest is very diverse from studying Hospital Mortality Rate to running clinical trials in acupuncture for stroke patients. Enoch is also one of the founders of the Acupuncture Course – Evidence Base Approach to TCM at McMaster University. Currently, he is a registered physiotherapist and a registered acupuncturist (General Member) in Ontario.

John Chan, PT, RAc, FCAMPT

John Chan has received his physiotherapy and acupuncture training in Hong Kong and in Canada. He has been teaching acupuncture for more than 10 years. He is also a Fellow of Canadian Academy of Manipulative Therapy (FCAMPT). John is currently running his private practice office in St. Catharine and teaching the Acupuncture Course – Evidence Base Approach to TCM at McMaster University. Currently, John is a registered physiotherapist and a registered acupuncturist (General Member) in Ontario.

Both Enoch and John are Registered Acupuncturists in Ontario and passed the licensing examination for the General Member category of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario.