Myofascial Anatomy and Distal Points in the Treatment of Neck Disorders

Overview

This online course explores the use of non-local, or distal, acupuncture points for managing neck pain, emphasizing an integrative approach that combines traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with Western biomedical knowledge.

Participants will gain insight into Master Dongqing Tong’s Taiwanese acupuncture system, known for its unique point numbering and highly effective distal needling strategies. Through real-world case studies, including challenging musculoskeletal conditions such as bone spurs, James demonstrates how non-local points, particularly on the hands, can provide rapid and lasting relief. This course is ideal for healthcare professionals seeking to expand their acupuncture skills beyond conventional methods.

Learning Objectives

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

1. Explain the distinction between local and non-local (distal) acupuncture points.

2. Apply principles of Master Dongqing Tong’s Taiwanese acupuncture system for neck pain management.

3. Integrate Western biomedical understanding with traditional acupuncture techniques.

4. Assess and select distal points for effective treatment of musculoskeletal conditions resistant to conventional methods.

5. Understand the role of clinical case studies in guiding evidence-based acupuncture practice.

6. Recognize opportunities for cross-cultural learning and professional growth in integrative medicine.

Audience

This course is designed for:

• Licensed physiotherapists and healthcare practitioners incorporating acupuncture into practice.

• Acupuncturists seeking to expand their knowledge of distal point techniques.

• Professionals interested in evidence-based, integrative approaches to musculoskeletal pain management.

• Students of TCM or medical acupuncture aiming to bridge Eastern and Western therapeutic methods.

Why This Course Matters

Neck pain is a common and often complex condition that challenges conventional treatment approaches. By exploring non-local acupuncture points, participants can:

• Enhance patient outcomes with faster and more lasting relief.

• Reduce the number of needles and treatment sessions, improving patient comfort and adherence.

• Apply a structured, clinically validated approach rooted in both traditional and modern medicine.

• Expand therapeutic options for conditions that do not respond to standard interventions.

James Spears’ expertise and experience demonstrate how integrative practice can improve efficacy, broaden treatment strategies, and elevate patient care in musculoskeletal and pain management.

About the Presenter

James Spears, M.S. 

James graduated from the International Institute of Chinese Medicine in 2001. He has studied in five university hospitals in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Hangzhou. Upon graduation he worked in an integrative clinic with physiotherapists and chiropractors, and took a keen interest in the biomedical and structural side of acupuncture. From 2008 - 2011 he led educational tours to China for post-graduates, and has studied and practiced in the US, Vietnam and Thailand.

James is passionate about researching the biomedical mechanisms of acupuncture. His current interests are in myofascial lines and how these relate to point functions and physiology. He primarily practices a traditional Taiwanese system known as Tung style acupuncture, and he teaches courses that integrate traditional methods with evidence based biomedical research.