Evidence Based Veterinary Acupuncture Equine Certification Course

Acu-Equus Level Two: Expanding Depth of Practice

Online Session One: Expanding the alphabet: Acupuncture Points, Channels and Regions

1. Expand upon the points learned in Level 1 to include additional points of interest, including more distal points and points on the head.
2. Take a deeper dive into understanding the channels, and the advantages (and limitations) of treating along channels
3. Learn specific points that are associated with a diagnostic function- for both musculoskeletal conditions and internal conditions. Learn back Shu and front Mu points

Session One Objectives:

Increase the size of your acupuncture “alphabet” of points, and expand indications for using these points.

Session One Learning outcomes:

1. Increase your lexicon to at least 75 acupuncture points based upon anatomic landmarks.
2. Describe somato-visceral reflex loops and identify which acupuncture points are reported to engage somato-autonomic long-loop reflexes to identify and modify organ disease.
3. Negotiate the sometimes aligned, and sometimes contradictory goals of treating along acupuncture meridians versus treating along myofascial kinetic chains.

Online Session Two: Vocabulary: Deepening the Scientific Database Behind Acupuncture Science

1. Basic Sciences Deep Dive:  Neurophysiology, Fascial Physiology, Reflex loops, Pharmacology, Diet and Supplements.
2. Literature Review:  Acupuncture research and planning, the complexity of placebo effect in complex interactions, complexity theory. 
3. Understanding divergent perspectives in acupuncture:  How can people treating ghosts, dampness, wind and grandparent misbehavior have comparable results in patient outcomes?

Session Two Objectives:

With some basic cases under your belt, session 2 should strengthen the breadth and depth of your acupuncture acumen and knowledge.  There is a significant culture of dogmatism in the equine world- deeply understanding your scientific mitigates self-doubt when new techniques go viral. 

Session Two Learning Outcomes:

1. Grasp the scaffolding of basic science underpinning acupuncture effects. 
2. Explain the bumpy road to evidence-based medicine as it applies to acupuncture, and how it has started to resolve within the last 10 years. 
3. Be able to assess “new” and popular approaches to acupuncture through the lens of science, and understand how to translate colorful concepts into practical, scientifically palpable treatment options. 

Online Session Three: Word Choice – Learning Treatment outlines for commonly encountered conditions in horses

1. Explore commonly encountered conditions in horses and a theoretical approach to their treatment but understand that this will FIRST be dictated by your specific JAM exam for each patient. 
2. Musculoskeletal and myofascial conditions discussed will include: Head and jaw, C1-C7, Ventral cervical first rib & longus colli, thoracolumbar, sacropelvic, iliopsoas, distal limbs.
3. Medical and immunological conditions discussed will include:  laminits, digestive disorders, metabolic disease, neurological disease, immune modulating conditions, organs of special senses and conditions associated with aging. 

Session Three Objectives:

In this session you will learn to compose an elegant treatment plan for various conditions, which will be implemented with attention to the JAM exam, the principles of medical acupuncture, and the cooperation of your patient. 

Session Three Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand the tenets of treating specific types of equine musculoskeletal conditions.
2. Understand the tenets of treating specific types of equine medical and immunological conditions.
3. Recognize the integration of multiple techniques for managing complex cases and be fluent in how to triage interventions in specific cases. 

Three equine cases must be completed between Level One and Level Two. At least 2-3 visits per case is required, and a case report (as presented in person at Level One) will be required for each case. 

A Virtual real-time check in with Faculty and Students will be required the weekend before arriving to in-person course. All online material must be completed before starting the in-person course.