Course Overview

People are living longer and while the quantity of life is getting higher, the quality of those extended years is often lower. Modern medicine is ill equipped to manage these quality-of-life issue. This is where Chinese Medicine and acupuncture in particular can be so valuable. There is very little information on acupuncture in geriatrics. Matthew Bauer has been teaching this subject for over 20 years and has 40 years of experience in private practice where geriatric patients make up the bulk of his patient base. In this course, Matthew shares his “Special Considerations" for treating geriatric patients that includes advice on needle gauge and needling depth, considerations of qi deficiencies, managing patients on multiple medications, and more. Then, Matthew provides clear, straight forward advise on three common geriatric medical conditions: Macular degeneration, spinal compression fractures, and stress urinary incontinence. Students will learn point combinations and how to space treatments over time. Students will also learn the latest research on these conditions and how to use that research in your practice. Health experts are sounding the alarm that the population numbers and percentages of geriatric age people are growing at an alarming rate and poses great challenges to healthcare systems. This course will help you respond to this challenge with gentle, natural, and scientifically validated acupuncture protocols refined over 40 years of practice.

Course Objectives

• Learners will learn about the pathology of macular degeneration, the latest research on acupuncture treating this condition and then specific protocols of points and point dosages.
• Learners will learn about the pathology of vertebral compression fractures, the latest research on acupuncture treating this condition and then specific protocols of points and point dosages.
• Learners will learn about the pathology of stress urinary incontinence, the latest research on acupuncture treating this condition and then specific protocols of points and point dosages.
• Learners will understand the growth and impact of the geratrics population and learn how to address special clinical considerations for this age group.

Course Outline

0 hrs - 30 minIntro and why geriatrics is a growing and important specialty for acupuncturists. Special considerations for treating geriatric patients

30 min - 1 hrsMacular degeneration etiology and prevalence Clinical research findings Acupuncture and herbal treatment protocols

1 hrs - 1.5 hrsVertebral compression fractures etiology and prevalence Clinical research findings Acupuncture and herbal treatment protocols

1.5 hrs - 2 hrsStress urinary incontinence Clinical research findings Acupuncture treatment protocol. Conclusion