Full Day Workshop - Ultrasound-Guided Visualization of Fascia Irritation with Focus on Acupuncture and Biofeedback

Introduction/Background Ultrasound (US) is a useful tool for clinicians, manual therapists and other body workers. US offers a non-invasive and real-time imaging method of the musculoskeletal system. Fascial thickening and pathological shear motion are linked to pain syndromes. Apart from diagnostic use, the method can therapeutically be used for neurophysiologic feedback. Most notably, improvement of proprioception has been shown to reduce pain. The traditional method of defining acupuncture sensation (de qi) through subjective patient reports is widely accepted. Still, there is a broad range of quantifiable neurophysiological changes occurring in direct consequence to the needle stimulus. Ultrasound constitutes an ideal medium for evaluating the biomechanical effects of needle manipulation on tissue, as it yields both images of tissue morphology and biomechanical information. Previous research has shown a strong connection between acupuncture sensation and both tissue depth and needle rotation. The intensity of the needle stimulation seems to correlate with the effect size. In addition, the role of the fascia is understood to promote so called mechanotransduction, i.e. forwarding and transmission of needle stimuli, to other body regions via connective tissue. In terms of myofascial disorders this may explain why needling of the legs alleviates back pain. Consequently, innervation and histologic structure of the derma- fascio- and myotomes where the needle is inserted, can be considered a key in mediating the acupuncture effects. The workshop is mainly hands-on. The participants will learn: 1. the principles of US and basic sonoanatomy 2. how to investigate fascia by US and detect gross fascial pathology 3. the use of US as a quick and effective biofeedback method 4. about the localization of acupuncture points relevant to treat myofascial disorders 5. to distinguish different stimulation techniques by means of tissue response 6. about the sustainability of acupuncture effects on fascia 7.