Electroacupuncture Strategy for Peripheral Nerve Impingement

Background

Peripheral nerve impingement syndromes are often misdiagnosed and thought to be treatable only through surgery. 

Electroacupuncture is a far less invasive alternative therapy capable of addressing myofasical hypertonicity common in entrapments syndromes as well as treating nerve trunks and branches directly to de-irritate sensory nerve and/or de-inhibit motor nerves. 

This online physiotherapy course explains the general electroacupuncture treatment guidelines for select peripheral nerve impingement syndromes. Physiotherapists who perform acupuncture are likely to be familiar with myofascial approach based on trigger points and motor points. These methods address muscle dysfunction but do not directly address peripheral nerve dysfunction. Clearly the ability to combine these methods would broaden the therapeutic options one can provide to patients, particularly in impingement syndrome where both myofascial and peripheral nerve dysfunctions are mutually dependent.

Audience

This online course is aimed at therapists who are certified to practice acupuncture within their jurisdiction. Experience with neuro-tension, neuro-palpation and neuro-percussion methods to provoke peripheral nerve entrapment is an asset but is not mandatory.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe to colleagues and patients how electroacupuncture can remedy structural and metabolic changes associated with peripheral nerve entrapment
2. Apply the appropriate electrical stimulation to address pain, paresthesia, and paresis found in peripheral nerve entrapment
3. Create an acupuncture treatment strategy to effectively manage peripheral entrapment syndromes.

The Presenter: Dr. Poney Chiang, Ph.D., MSTOM, R.Ac, R.TCMP
 

Poney Chiang is an adjunct professor and the founding director of the Integrative Acupuncture Certificate Program for the Faculty of Health at York University. He is also the Chair of the Herbal Medicine Department at the Ontario College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

He received a Bachelor's degree in microbiology and a Doctoral degree in biomedical research from the Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto. This was followed by a Master’s degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York. He apprenticed for five years in a medical lineage that once consulted for the Forbidden Palace.

Poney began teaching in 2008 and has offered his acupuncture training program at professional development events for various organizations locally and internationally. He has been invited to lecture at the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Symposium, World Federation Acupuncture Society, American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, Canadian Physiotherapy Association, Acupuncture Council of Ontario; Ordre des Acupuncteurs du Quebec as well as physician/physiotherapist groups in Brazil, Spain, Italy, and India.

His research interests include cadaver-dissection of acupuncture points and translation of Chinese medicine classics. He has authored peer-reviewed articles in Eastern and Western acupuncture journals and supervises students on peer-reviewed research publications. Poney is currently focused on writing an integrative acupuncture textbook. His hobbies include mind-body cultivation exercises and historical swordsmanship.