Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE PHT3027

 
TITLE TCM Techniques in Modern Physiotherapy

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Physiotherapy

 
DESCRIPTION Dry Needling (DN) is an effective and useful adjunct to an overall treatment programme for musculoskeletal conditions. A typical learning programme is designed to cover dry needling techniques for the whole body for varied musculoskeletal conditions. It will involve lectures, guided practical sessions, written and practical evaluation and clinical case reasoning pertaining to the application and integration of DN to a caseload. Prior needling experience is not required.

Study-Unit Aims:

The study-unit aims to train the student in gaining competence in:

- Applying the theory of DN to physiotherapy practice for musculoskeletal conditions;
- The requisite assessment skills for the application of DN;
- The knowledge of the indications and contraindications for DN;
- The understanding of mechanical, chemical, electrophysical, neurophysiological effects of DN;
- The application of DN in a clean, safe and effective manner;
- The awareness of unsafe areas not to be needled;
- The Management of side effects and potential adverse effects or complications of DN.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to understand the philosophy and physiology relevant to the practice of needling and cupping in Alternative Medical Management based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. This will include:

- Philosophical concepts of health and disease in Chinese culture: Theory of Yin-Yang and imbalance as a pathogenic cause for ill-health;
- The “physiology” of health and disease in TCM practice - 1: Five Elements; Zang-Fu; Qi and Shen essence; Blood and Body fluids;
- The “physiology” of health and disease in TCM practice - 2: Meridians and Acupoints;
- The “physiology” of health and disease in TCM practice - 3: Visceral channels – Bladder & Kidney; Pericardium, Heart & small intestine; Lung & large intestine, Stomach & Spleen; Gallbladder & Liver.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

    - Use a sound knowledge base of the practical aspects of needling and cupping;
    - Formulate a general description of needling [dry, warm, electrical];
    - Formulate a general introduction to channels and acupoints;
    - Prepare, insert and manipulate the filiform needle;
    - Perform warm acupuncture; Manipulate the moxa burner practice;
    - Perform intradermal needling; Electro-acupuncture practice;
    - Perform specific techniques: Scalp acupuncture; Auricular acupuncture; NeiJing needling methods, Cupping therapy;
    - Manage acupuncture safely and treat acupuncture accidents.

- Use needling practice in specific medical conditions:
    - Principles of Acupuncture analgesia and acupuncture anesthesia;
    - Cervical Spondylosis;
    - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome;
    - Dysmenorhoea;
    - Frozen Shoulder;
    - Headache;
    - Knee Osteoarthritis;
    - Sciatica & Lumbar Disc Herniation.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- POMERANZ, B., 2001. Acupuncture analgesia—basic research. In: Clinical AcupunctureSpringer, pp. 1-28.
- POMERANZ, B. and BERMAN, B., 2003. Scientific basis of acupuncture. Springer.
- STUX, G. and POMERANZ, B., 2012. Acupuncture: textbook and atlas. Springer Science & Business Media.

Supplementary Readings:

- BERMAN, B., BIRCH, S., CASSIDY, C.CHO, Z., EZZO, J., HAMMERSCHLAG, R., HAN, J., LAO, L., OLESON, T. and POMERANZ, B., 2011. Clinical acupuncture: scientific basis. Springer Science & Business Media.
- CAMPBELL, A., 2015. The modernisation of acupuncture. Acupuncture in Medicine : Journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society, 20151105, Dec, vol. 33, no. 6, pp. 496-497 ISSN 1759-9873; 0964-5284. DOI 10.1136/acupmed-2015-010960 [doi].
- CHENG, R., MCKIBBIN, L., ROY, B. and POMERANZ, B., 1980. Electroacupuncture elevates blood cortisol levels in naive horses; sham treatment has no effect. International Journal of Neuroscience, vol. 10, no. 2-3, pp. 95-97.
- ELWELL, S., 2017. Medical Acupuncture: A Western Scientific Approach.
- GARRIDO, F.V. and MUNOZ, F.M., 2015. Advanced Techniques in Musculoskeletal Medicine and Physiotherapy: Using Minimally Invasive Therapies in Practice. Elsevier Health Sciences.
- LEWIS, J., SIM, J. and BARLAS, P., 2017. Acupuncture and electro‐acupuncture for people diagnosed with subacromial pain syndrome: A multicentre randomized trial. European Journal of Pain.
- LIU, L., SKINNER, M.A., MCDONOUGH, S.M. and BAXTER, G.D., 2016. Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture and myofascial trigger needling: The same stimulation points?. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, vol. 26, pp. 28-32.
- PARR, S. and MAY, S., 2014. Do musculoskeletal physiotherapists believe the NICE guidelines for the management of non-specific LBP are practical and relevant to their practice? A cross sectional survey. Physiotherapy, vol. 100, no. 3, pp. 235-241.
- TAGUCHI, R., 2008. Acupuncture anesthesia and analgesia for clinical acute pain in Japan. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM, Jun, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 153-158 ISSN 1741-427X; 1741-427X. DOI 10.1093/ecam/nem056 [doi].
- WILSON, F., 2015. Grieve's Modern Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Independent Study & Practicum

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM2 Yes 20%
Practical SEM2 Yes 80%

 
LECTURER/S

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

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