The New England School of Acupuncture announces the launch of its Sports Medicine Acupuncture Certification Program (SMAC) beginning in September 2009. This unique program teaches both Eastern and Western methods of orthopedic medicine, giving students a fully integrated, one-of-a-kind education in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western orthopedics.

The program will be taught by some of the country's most prestigious acupuncture instructors, including Stephen Cina, Chair of the Orthopedic Department at New England School of Acupuncture (NESA). Cina, founder of the Total Wellness Clinic in Brighton, MA, has served as the team acupuncturist for the Boston Bruins for eight years and the New England Patriots for the 2006-2007 season. He is currently conducting acupuncture research using fMRI technology through Massachusetts General Hospital's Athinoula Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging.

"NESA's certification in sports medicine acupuncture will set the standard for integrative orthopedic acupuncture," said Cina. "In addition to NESA's rigorous academics, breakthrough research, and far-reaching community service initiatives, it will be the only school in the world to offer a completely integrative academic program for orthopedic acupuncture."

The Sports Medicine Acupuncture Certification Program significantly builds on basic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches to the treatment of orthopedic conditions using specialized techniques. Four cadaver labs will be an integral component of the program and will illustrate anatomical structure, motor points, trigger points and acupoint anatomy.

Upon completion of the SMAC program, graduates will have the skills to:

- Apply TCM to treat orthopedic conditions and implement advanced orthopedic treatments.
- Take a thorough history of an orthopedic injury and formulate a working assessment of the condition.
- Execute initial orthopedic physical assessment and follow-up evaluations to confirm efficacy of treatment.
- Perform essential diagnostic palpation.
- Understand Western biomedical approaches to orthopedic conditions and communicate effectively with Western medical providers about referring patients to acupuncture.

NESA's Sports Medicine Acupuncture Certification Program is open to licensed acupuncturists, third year acupuncture students, and physicians who have completed acupuncture training. Components of the program will be open to massage therapists, physical therapists, and other similar professionals. Classes are taught at NESA located in Newton, MA.

Source
New England School of Acupuncture (NESA)