Features Continuing Education Education
Contemporary Acupuncture Specialty Courses for Fall 2010

Contemporary Acupuncture for Stress Related Problems, Nov. 20-21, 2010

Sept.
20, Hamilton, Ont. – RMTs are invited to attend two upcoming specialty
courses given by the Contemporary Acupuncture program at McMaster
University.  These courses will be held at McMaster University Campus on November 20-21, 2010 and November 27-28, 2010.

It is perhaps easy to see how stress is associated with common psychological and emotional conditions such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and fatigue. However, increased stress is often associated with many other health conditions including cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal problems as well as hormone dysfunctions.

Stress naturally prepares the organism for an emergency, but chronic stress impairs health through a complex array of physiologic functions initiated by the release of central nervous system (CNS) hormones –cand also the release of cortisol from adrenal cortex — with detrimental effects. Chronic and cumulative stress increases the chance of illness.

Psychological, social and genetic factors play important modifying roles in the development of these stress-related health problems, however, more important than the amount of stress is one’s reaction to it, That reaction is influenced by many factors – and it is modifiable by knowledge and coping skills that you can learn and teach to your patients.

The utilization of contemporary acupuncture, acupressure, and mind body relaxation techniques (such as visualization, breathing exercises, yoga movements) has been proven very useful in decreasing the patient’s stress reaction and in the prevention of disease.

In this two day workshop you will experience a balanced combination of informational and engaging presentations, needling workshops, live case presentation, and mind-body techniques to elicit the relaxation response. This learning will provide you with practical blueprint strategies and precise tools to deal with internal medicine and stress related conditions in your patients. Last but not least, it is also an opportunity for you to know how to manage your own stress, stay healthy and balanced, and enjoy well-being in day to day living.

The Integrative Health Strategies in The Management of Women’s Health from Puberty to Senescence, Nov. 27-28, 2010

This course will incorporate Acupuncture and Contemporary Acupuncture (CA) with exercise, mind-body (MB) techniques, appropriate dietary choices, as well as lifestyle adjustments that will support and assure smooth sailing from puberty through motherhood and menopause. With these strategies, women could gracefully reach a ripe age and maintain full function.

This two-day workshop will introduce and expand your knowledge and skills with new strategies to help you effectively use CA, acupressure, and MB techniques combined with nutrition advice and exercises for functional problems such as dysmenorrhea/decreased libido, skin problems/acne, mood swings/food cravings, weight fluctuation, headaches/insomnia, hormonal dysfunctions, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), infertility/conception, in-vitro fertilization (IVF), pelvic pain, pregnancy/delivery, post delivery/breast feeding) and age related issues such as menopause/climacteric vasomotor syndromes, urinary dysfunctions/incontinence, skin/mucous membrane problems, bone health/osteopenia/osteoporosis and cognitive decline.

For more information on these courses, or to register, please contact Valerie Cannon at 905.521.2100 X75175 or visit http://fhs.mcmaster.ca/acupuncture/ or email contemporaryacupuncture@mcmaster.ca