Acupuncture Case Study: Treating Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome With Electro-Acupuncture, with Anthony Von Der Muhll DAOM
If you are an Acupuncturist you NEED to know about Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome. The pain level and duration of CRPS is so debilitating that people often take their own lives but this is something we are well equipped to help manage. There are also some pretty important contraindications that we need to take into consideration.
In this episode Anthony Von Der Muhll DAOM, who teaches Orthopedic Acupuncture and Sports Medicine at the Doctoral Program at the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences (ACCHS) introduces us to Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Listen in as he walks us through the case and becomes an integral piece of this patients pain management process.
in this episode
ACU-052 If you are an Acupuncturist you NEED to know about Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome. The pain level and duration of CRPS is so debilitating that people often take their own lives but this is something we are well equipped to help manage. There are also some pretty important contraindications that we need to take into consideration.
In this episode Anthony Von Der Muhll DAOM, who teaches Orthopedic Acupuncture and Sports Medicine at the Doctoral Program at the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences (ACCHS) introduces us to Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Listen in as he walks us through the case and becomes an integral piece of this patients pain management process.
today’s guest
ANTHONY VON DER MUHLL, DAOM
Anthony Von der Muhll graduated from the Five Branches University of TCM in 2002, and founded the Santa Cruz Acupuncture Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Clinic in 2003. In 2022, Anthony relocated to Charlottesville, Virginia, where he now practices at the Sports Acupuncture Clinic/Berkeley Bamboo Clinic with his wife, Tamara Brown, L.Ac., DACM.
Anthony Von der Muhll is the founder of AOM Professional, and has taught Certification in Acupuncture Orthopedics since 2015, and served as a clinical supervisor at the Masters and Doctorate levels for over 17 years. He has also taught acupuncture orthopedics and pain management in the DAOM and DACM programs of the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences (Oakland CA), the American College of TCM (San Francisco, CA), the Five Branches University of TCM (Santa Cruz, CA), and the Virginia University of Integrative Medicine (Fairfax, VA). He has been a featured instructor in acupuncture orthopedics at conferences of the Sports Acupuncture Alliance, the California State Oriental Medical Association, California Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine Associates, and the Acupuncture Society of Virginia.
Join the 3,2,1 Newsletter! Every month 3 business ideas, 2 Clinic Tips and 1 Burst Of Inspiration. I also include more in depth information that I can’t cover on the podcast. Don’t miss it!
you’ll learn
We kick things off talking about getting verbal “consent to treat”, and why that is a fundamental skill.
Anthony talks about they importance of understanding the concept of nerve desensitization especially with regards to chronic conditions and how we can help.
We talk in depth about what signs to look for when you suspect a patient might have CRPS.
Why it’s so important to treat this properly. For example, DO NOT needle the extremity!
How to use electro-acupuncture to decrease pain.
Acupuncture Case Study Part 2: Upper Back Pain Treated With Tung Style Acupuncture, with Henry McCann DAOM
ACU-050 This is the part two of a case review I did with Henry McCann. We discuss how Henry treats neck and arm pain with Tung Style Acupuncture. If you missed the first part, be sure to check out Episode 49 where we had a brief chat about the importance and differences between the DAOM programs and the DACM programs. We learned about Henry’s path and teachings in Chinese medicine which include teaching extensively in the US as well as abroad. We learn about the history of Master Dung and this system of acupuncture and how it differs from the Tan method. and lastly, We discuss Henry’s books which you can find in the show notes.
In today’s episode we do a thorough case exploration.
Here is a glimpse of the case.
She's a female in her forties and she came in with complaining basically of pain in her upper back and her shoulder that was radiating into her right arm. She has a C-6, C-7 disc herniation and there is pain and numbness going down into the right arm. There's numbness in the fingers.
Upon palpation, Henry determined she was really complaining of pain in the area of the superspinatus. She definitely had trigger points in the, the upper trapezius on basically all on the right side. There was definitely some scaling involvement, some elevator scapula involvement.
Listen in to see how the case unfolds.
In this episode……
ACU-050 This is the part two of a case review I did with Henry McCann. We discuss how Henry treats neck and arm pain with Tung Style Acupuncture. If you missed the first part, be sure to check out Episode 49 where we had a brief chat about the importance and differences between the DAOM programs and the DACM programs. We learned about Henry’s path and teachings in Chinese medicine which include teaching extensively in the US as well as abroad. We learn about the history of Master Dung and this system of acupuncture and how it differs from the Tan method. and lastly, We discuss Henry’s books which you can find in the show notes.
In today’s episode we do a thorough case exploration.
Here is a glimpse of the case. She's a female in her forties and she came in with complaining basically of pain in her upper back and her shoulder that was radiating into her right arm. She has a C-6, C-7 disc herniation and there is pain and numbness going down into the right arm. There's numbness in the fingers.
Upon palpation, Henry determined she was really complaining of pain in the area of the superspinatus. She definitely had trigger points in the, the upper trapezius on basically all on the right side. There was definitely some scaling involvement, some elevator scapula involvement.
Listen in to see how the case unfolds.
today’s guest
Henry McCann, DAOM, LAc, Dipl OM (馬爾博 中醫博士)
Dr. McCann is a licensed acupuncturist and doctor of East Asian (Chinese) Medicine with a private practice in Madison, NJ.
Dr. McCann finished a BA and BM at Oberlin College following which he studied at the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan as a Fulbright fellow. He then attended the oldest college of East Asian Medicine in the United States, the New England School of Acupuncture. In an effort to further his own clinical training he completed his advanced practice doctoral degree at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine; as part of that degree he interned in the gynecology department of the Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine (Sichuan, China). He completed a certificate in Japanese Psychology with the ToDo Institute in Vermont, and coursework at the PhD level through Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine in China.
In addition to his clinical practice Dr. McCann is committed to bringing East Asian Medicine to a higher level by educating professionals in advanced concepts in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. He is an experienced teacher and is a core faculty member for the doctoral degree program at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine where he teaches clinical case study writing, geriatric medicine, and Tung's acupuncture. He is also on the faculty of the Pacific College of Health and Science in Manhattan teaching the medical classics (Huang Di Nei Jing and Nan Jing), and the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences where he teaches Tung’s acupuncture. Dr. McCann has taught widely throughout the United States, as well as in Germany, Ireland, Holland, Austria, Indonesia, and Australia. He is a 12th generation lineage holding disciple of Chen Style Taijiquan, a 3rd generation lineage disciple of Hunyuan Chen Style Taijiquan, and a disciple of a Qigong lineage transmitted by Hu Yaozhen that originated with the Daoist Immortal Chen Tuan. Dr. McCann is also ranked as a 5th Duan in Taijiquan by the Chinese Wushu Association (with the rank being awarded in China). The Duan ranking system is similar to the "Dan" black belt ranking of Japanese martial arts (the Chinese system has 9 ranks, with 6th Duan being the highest technical proficiency level awarded).
Join the 3,2,1 Newsletter! Every month 3 business ideas, 2 Clinic Tips and 1 Burst Of Inspiration. I also include more in depth information that I can’t cover on the podcast. Don’t miss it!
resources
Check out Henry’s Blogs.
Pricking The Vessels by Henry McCann
Practical Atlas of Tungs Acupuncture - 6th Edition
Want to learn more about the DAOM at ACCHS? Contact Phil here, and be sure to put DAOM/AcuSprout in the header.
Acupuncture Case Study Part 1: Upper Back Pain Treated With Tung Style Acupuncture, with Henry McCann DAOM
ACU-O49 Today I'm talking with Henry McCann. We originally recorded this episode to share a case study with you, but my case studies have been really, really long. So I'm breaking this one up into two parts.
Be sure to tune in and subscribe so you don’t miss the juicy case presentation in Episode 50. But for now, here is wht you’ll learn:
Well, first we get to know Henry and his background.
Next we talk about Master Tung. Who he was and how it came to pass that we are now able to learn this style of Acupuncture
We touch on the basics of Tung style acupuncture, the type of needling involved as well as the fundamentals of the practice.
We spend some time talking about challenges that beginners experience and how to progressively work thru learning new systems while practicing the medicine.
Lastly, Henry share with us a simple marketing tip that works wonders in his clinic.
In this episode….
ACU-O49 Today I'm talking with Henry McCann. We originally recorded this episode to share a case study with you, but my case studies have been really, really long. So I'm breaking this one up into two parts.
Be sure to tune in and subscribe so you don’t miss the juicy case presentation in Episode 50. But for now, here is wht you’ll learn:
Well, first we get to know Henry and his background.
Next we talk about Master Tung. Who he was and how it came to pass that we are now able to learn this style of Acupuncture
We touch on the basics of Tung style acupuncture, the type of needling involved as well as the fundamentals of the practice.
We spend some time talking about challenges that beginners experience and how to progressively work thru learning new systems while practicing the medicine.
Lastly, Henry share with us a simple marketing tip that works wonders in his clinic.
today’s guest
Henry McCann, DAOM, LAc, Dipl OM (馬爾博 中醫博士)
Dr. McCann is a licensed acupuncturist and doctor of East Asian (Chinese) Medicine with a private practice in Madison, NJ.
Dr. McCann finished a BA and BM at Oberlin College following which he studied at the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan as a Fulbright fellow. He then attended the oldest college of East Asian Medicine in the United States, the New England School of Acupuncture. In an effort to further his own clinical training he completed his advanced practice doctoral degree at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine; as part of that degree he interned in the gynecology department of the Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine (Sichuan, China). He completed a certificate in Japanese Psychology with the ToDo Institute in Vermont, and coursework at the PhD level through Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine in China.
In addition to his clinical practice Dr. McCann is committed to bringing East Asian Medicine to a higher level by educating professionals in advanced concepts in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. He is an experienced teacher and is a core faculty member for the doctoral degree program at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine where he teaches clinical case study writing, geriatric medicine, and Tung's acupuncture. He is also on the faculty of the Pacific College of Health and Science in Manhattan teaching the medical classics (Huang Di Nei Jing and Nan Jing), and the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences where he teaches Tung’s acupuncture. Dr. McCann has taught widely throughout the United States, as well as in Germany, Ireland, Holland, Austria, Indonesia, and Australia. He is a 12th generation lineage holding disciple of Chen Style Taijiquan, a 3rd generation lineage disciple of Hunyuan Chen Style Taijiquan, and a disciple of a Qigong lineage transmitted by Hu Yaozhen that originated with the Daoist Immortal Chen Tuan. Dr. McCann is also ranked as a 5th Duan in Taijiquan by the Chinese Wushu Association (with the rank being awarded in China). The Duan ranking system is similar to the "Dan" black belt ranking of Japanese martial arts (the Chinese system has 9 ranks, with 6th Duan being the highest technical proficiency level awarded).
Join the 3,2,1 Newsletter! Every month 3 business ideas, 2 Clinic Tips and 1 Burst Of Inspiration. I also include more in depth information that I can’t cover on the podcast. Don’t miss it!
resources
Check out Henry’s Blogs.
Pricking The Vessels by Henry McCann
Practical Atlas of Tungs Acupuncture - 6th Edition
Want to learn more about the DAOM at ACCHS? Contact Phil here, and be sure to put DAOM/AcuSprout in the header.
Acupuncture Case Study: Knee Pain Treated With Chinese Herbal Medicine, with Phil Settels, DAOM
In this episode I meet with Phil Settels the Dean and creator of the DAOM program at ACCHS, the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences. We decided to bring the long held tradition of teaching thru case studies to the AcuSprout airwaves.
We talk about Phil’s training with Dr. Huang Huang and how the Ten Key Formula Families is and integral part of his SHL diagnostic process.
We discuss abdominal Fukushin diagnosis.
We discuss how he decides between treating low back or knee pain with a formula or local orthopedic acupuncture…or both
Phil talks about one of his first clinical mis-steps with Ma Huang and how it resolved.
Listen in and puzzle through with me as Phil presents a case and shows me a new way to reason through the formula prescription based on his teachings with Dr. Huang Huang, Arnaud Versluys, and Dr. Suzanne Robidoux.
Enjoy the journey and get a flavor for the teachings of the DAOM program at ACCHS.
In This Episode..
ACU-047 In this episode I meet with Phil Settels the Dean and creator of the DAOM program at ACCHS, the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences. We decided to bring the long held tradition of teaching thru case studies to the AcuSprout airwaves.
We talk about Phil’s training with Dr. Huang Huang and how the Ten Key Formula Families is and integral part of his SHL diagnostic process.
We discuss abdominal Fukushin diagnosis.
We discuss how he decides between treating low back or knee pain with a formula or local orthopedic acupuncture…or both
Phil talks about one of his first clinical mis-steps with Ma Huang and how it resolved.
Listen in and puzzle through with me as Phil presents a case and shows me a new way to reason through the formula prescription based on his teachings with Dr. Huang Huang, Arnaud Versluys, and Dr. Suzanne Robidoux.
Enjoy the journey and get a flavor for the teachings of the DAOM program at ACCHS.
today’s guest
PHIL SETTELS, DAOM, Dean of Academics at ACCHS
Phil Settels graduated from ACCHS in 2011. Early on in his engagement with Chinese Medicine, Phil had the opportunity to study with several amazing Shanghan Lun teachers, including Dr. Arnaud Verluys, Dr. Huang Huang and Dr. Suzanne Robidoux. Phil uses Classical Formulas almost exclusively in his own practice and in his teaching.
Phil was brought in to design the curriculum of the ACCHS DAOM program which started in 2017, and he is currently the Dean of Academics. This program was guided by the ideal of what would best serve clinicians while honoring both the roots of the medicine and its development over time, and empowering graduates to be stewards of Chinese Medicine. The program has a dual focus on Classical Chinese Herbalism as well as Orthopedics and Pain Management, with the goal that graduates have increased skill and confidence to treat any patient who walks through their door, whether their condition reflects an internal or a musculoskeletal dysfunction.
Join the 3,2,1 Newsletter! Every month 3 business ideas, 2 Clinic Tips and 1 Burst Of Inspiration. I also include more in depth information that I can’t cover on the podcast. Don’t miss it!
Resources
Want to learn more about the DAOM at ACCHS? Contact Phil here, and be sure to put DAOM/AcuSprout in the header.
Ten Key Formula Families in Chinese Medicine Paperback, by Dr Huang Huang, Translated by Michael Max
Zhang Zhong-jing's Clinical Application of 50 Medicinals,by Dr Huang Huang
Fukushin and Kampo, by Nigel Dawes
Acupuncture Case Study: Orthopedic Acupuncture Instead of A Total Shoulder Replacement with Anthony Von der Muhll, DAOM
Is it possible to avoid or postpone orthopedic surgery with acupuncture?
Can you help patients with extensive soft tissue damage regain full range of motion and strength?
Yes. Yes you can! Listen in as Anthony walks me through a case where he helps his patient avoid a total shoulder replacement.
In this episode….
ACU-045 I remember treating a case during my internship where after a couple orthopedic tests I suspected that my patient had torn his meniscus. It was a great opportunity to practice my new set of advanced orthopedic skills and my patient responded well, but after a couple of weeks he had pain again. Unfortunately, I did not get to see the treatments through because the semester ended, but I have wondered how it might have concluded many many times. Can you really treat a patient with substantial soft tissue damage that would otherwise require surgery? Can you treat in a way that facilitates the body’s healing mechanisms so much that the patient achieves pain free normal range of motion? Does the structure damage change or is someone just miraculously free of pain?
Is it possible to avoid or postpone orthopedic surgery with acupuncture?
Can you help patients with extensive soft tissue damage regain full range of motion and strength?
Yes. Yes you can! Listen in as Anthony walks me through a case where he helps his patient avoid a total shoulder replacement.
In this episode….
ACU-045 I remember treating a case during my internship where after a couple orthopedic tests I suspected that my patient had torn his meniscus. It was a great opportunity to practice my new set of advanced orthopedic skills and my patient responded well, but after a couple of weeks he had pain again. Unfortunately, I did not get to see the treatments through because the semester ended, but I have wondered how it might have concluded many many times. Can you really treat a patient with substantial soft tissue damage that would otherwise require surgery? Can you treat in a way that facilitates the body’s healing mechanisms so much that the patient achieves pain free normal range of motion? Does the structure damage change or is someone just miraculously free of pain?
In this episode Dr.Anthony Von der Muhll, DAOM walks me through a pretty unbelievable case of exactly that.
You don’t want to miss this episode!
this episode is a little long, so here are some rough time jumps for you
3:45 I introduce Anthony and we talk about his path to becoming an East Asian Medical Practitioner.
10:45 Anthony talks about what distinguishes him from other practitioners like Matt Callison, Poney Chang, Clayton Shui and Whitfield Reeves.
14:00 Why treating unstable joints is paramount to healing.
43:52 The Case Study Starts HERE!
Join the 3,2,1 Newsletter! Every month 3 business ideas, 2 Clinic Tips and 1 Burst Of Inspiration. I also include more in depth information that I can’t cover on the podcast. Don’t miss it!
Today’s Guest
ANTHONY VON DER MUHLL, DAOM
Anthony Von der Muhll graduated from the Five Branches University of TCM in 2002, and founded the Santa Cruz Acupuncture Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Clinic in 2003. In 2022, Anthony relocated to Charlottesville, Virginia, where he now practices at the Sports Acupuncture Clinic/Berkeley Bamboo Clinic with his wife, Tamara Brown, L.Ac., DACM.
Anthony Von der Muhll is the founder of AOM Professional, and has taught Certification in Acupuncture Orthopedics since 2015, and served as a clinical supervisor at the Masters and Doctorate levels for over 17 years. He has also taught acupuncture orthopedics and pain management in the DAOM and DACM programs of the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences (Oakland CA), the American College of TCM (San Francisco, CA), the Five Branches University of TCM (Santa Cruz, CA), and the Virginia University of Integrative Medicine (Fairfax, VA). He has been a featured instructor in acupuncture orthopedics at conferences of the Sports Acupuncture Alliance, the California State Oriental Medical Association, California Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine Associates, and the Acupuncture Society of Virginia.
Resources
Case Study: A Classical Chinese Medical Herbal Case Study with Phil Settels DAOM, of ACCHS
Phil reviews an herbal case he encountered in clinic and breaks it all down for me.
can you guess the formula???!!!
ACU-020 Are you a game geek? Love a good puzzle? Maybe a little competitive? Do you miss being read to in class? ME TOO!!! In this episode we are going back to the cozy classroom with Phil Settels LAc.,the Director and Designer of the DAOM program at ACCHS, The Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences. Phil reviews an herbal case he encountered in clinic and breaks it all down for me. Enjoy the show!
today’s guest
PHIL SETTELS LAC.,
Phil Settels graduated from ACCHS in 2011. Early on in his engagement with Chinese Medicine, Phil had the opportunity to study with several amazing Shanghan Lun teachers, including Dr. Arnaud Verluys, Dr. Huang Huang and Dr. Suzanne Robidoux. Phil uses Classical Formulas almost exclusively in his own practice and in his teaching.
Phil was brought in to design the curriculum of the ACCHS DAOM program which started in 2017, and he is currently the Dean of Academics. This program was guided by the ideal of what would best serve clinicians while honoring both the roots of the medicine and its development over time, and empowering graduates to be stewards of Chinese Medicine. The program has a dual focus on Classical Chinese Herbalism as well as Orthopedics and Pain Management, with the goal that graduates have increased skill and confidence to treat any patient who walks through their door, whether their condition reflects an internal or a musculoskeletal dysfunction.
LINK TO JOURNAL ARTICLE WE DISCUSSED HERE.
here is the case:
Female, 41 yrs old, a teacher for toddlers (demanding and stressful)
Appearance:
Obese, big upper body (neck, shoulders, chest, belly), oily skin on face - hunch about primary diagnosis/formula
CC:
1) PCOS - dx 20 years ago
2) Hypothyroid - dx 6 years ago, autoimmune thyroid conditions in her family (both Grave's and Hashimoto's)
Sx:
PCOS: Hirsuitism, missed periods, significant pain and cramping, and some clotting
Hypothyroid: Very low energy, has to force herself through her work day, and then exhausted afterwards
Had a miscarriage 2 years prior, which led to depression, and significant weight gain as she used food for comfort.
Questions
Appetite and Digestion -
She feels best when she eats smaller meals more frequently.
If she goes 4-5 hours without eating she'll get jitters and dizzy.
If she eats too much, she'll get bloating, and feel as though her digestion is sluggish and food just sits there in her upper abdomen.
Fatty or rich foods cause URQ pain. If she eats too late, she'll toss and turn at night with pain, and has to throw up to sleep.
Acid regurgitation all the time. Has prescription pepcid so she can go to sleep.
Belching
Nausea, especially in the mornings
She can eat dinner at 5:30pm and it won't digest and sits there, and then there's acid at night.
Mouth sores
80% sure of primary diagnosis/formula
Bowel Movements
1 in the AM, maybe 1 in the evening
Difficult, dry, started drinking more water but still has issues
Very aware of her elimination, thinks about it a lot
Hemorrhoids - no flare up in a while
95% sure of primary diagnosis/formula
Temperature:
Sensitive to heat, runs hot, always wants the AC on, drinks water with ice
Occasional cold feet
100% sure of primary diagnosis/formula
Dry skin on her legs
Warm extremities
Some visible veins on her legs
80% sure of secondary formula
Body Pain
Joint pain
Muscle cramps at night
Issues with heels when she tries to get up, with tight Achilles tendon at night
100% confident with secondary formula
Other (the cherry on top)
Bitter taste in her mouth? sometimes, and likes bitter foods
Qi Rushing upwards: Palpitations, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, "beyond overthinking (OCD)"
Huandgi Neijing Suwen, Chapter 22
“When the Liver suffers urgency, swiftly eat sweet to moderate it"
"When the Liver desires to disperse, switfly eat pungent to disperse it, for it is tonified with pungent and reduced with sour"
Results after first 2 weeks
Has been evacuating her bowels much more
More comfortable in her upper abdomen
In her next menstrual cycle, bleeding light, not her usual.
No nausea or heartburn other than food trigger. Less bloating. Belching persists, and helps relieve tension
Less desire for the iced beverages. It's not like she needs them as much as before. She's less bothered by the heat now.Doesn't feel nauseous in the mornings, and it's easier to eat
call to action
Head on over and check out the DAOM program! Be sure to tell them who sent you!