Steve Bailey Acupuncture CPD Courses

Mission statement

The purpose of the Podiatric Acupuncture and MSK Academy (PAMA) is to bring together like-minded podiatrists who want to advance their knowledge and clinical skills in the use of acupuncture, soft tissue manipulation, joint mobilisation, sports medicine, and lower limb biomechanics. We aim to raise your knowledge, skills, profile, and credibility as an MSK podiatrist in the private sector and NHS.

The podiatric acupuncture and MSK  academy will provide a wide range of basic to advanced CPD training to extend your scope of practice as a podiatric MSK specialist.

The podiatric acupuncture and MSK  Academy will provide evidence-based online CPD training and discounted practical workshops in lower limb biomechanics, soft tissue manipulation and joint mobilisation of the lower limb for its members. It will provide intermediate to advanced training in medical acupuncture that will address a range of musculoskeletal and associated disorders of the lower limb. 

Monthly subscription 

The podiatric medical acupuncture and MSK academy is a monthly subscription training programme. New course information, videos, case studies and contents are constantly added on monthly basis. Subscription to the podiatric acupuncture and MSK academy is for 12 months. 

Entry requirements

HCPC registered podiatrists with an interest in acupuncture and the management of MSK lower limb disorders who has completed a recognised basic training in medical acupuncture. 

Medical acupuncture level 2

The medical acupuncture level 2 will build your confidence and allow you to: 

1. Understand the different uses and application of dry needling and classical acupuncture.
2. Understand when to use dry needling techniques and when to use classical acupuncture points for optimum results.
3. Have the ability to palpate and precisely locate acupuncture points.
4. Have knowledge of the effect of acupuncture and needling technique on the autonomic nervous system.
5. Have knowledge of treatment dose, such as correct needling technique, depth of needle insertion, appropriate method of needle stimulation (to sustain a sympathetic or parasympathetic response).
6. Have knowledge and effective use of electroacupuncture in the management of fractures of the metatarsals, medial tibial stress syndrome and calcaneal heel pain.
7. Have knowledge and effective use of electroacupuncture in the management of Achilles tendonopathy, osteoarthritic knees and chronic arthritic backs.

There is a strong focus on evidence based western understanding of the function of each commonly used classical and auricular acupuncture points

The level 2  medical acupuncture modules will allow you to effectively utilise acupuncture to quickly reduce swelling, hasten resolution of a haematoma, accelerate bone, skin, muscle, tendon and nerve repair, and restore muscle function and strength following trauma. 

On the medical acupuncture level 2 you will learn how electro-acupuncture can be used to address specific aspects of pain and wound healing by selecting appropriate frequencies and polarities (+ or -).

The level 2 medical acupuncture modules will review each phase of the healing process before discussing how electro and manual acupuncture may reduce the inflammatory phase, and enhance the proliferative and remodelling phase of wound healing. The benefit of placing the anode (+) or the cathode (-) electrodes around the wound to enhance the migration of lymphocytes, neutrophils, macrophages, fibroblast, and epithelial cells to the site of injury to improve wound closure and the repair process will be reviewed.  You will also develop acupuncture techniques to improve circulation and  laying down of type I collagen to enhance tensile strength and the repair of tendinopathies.  Non-union stress fractures are common conditions affecting the foot; on this course you will develop your skills in the use of acupuncture in the acceleration of bone repair whether it is following trauma from surgery or fracture.

The level 2 medical acupuncture will lay the foundation for progression onto level 3 medical acupuncture. 

Lower limb biomechanics

The lower limb biomechanics lessons are evidence based and designed to be an informative CPD update for MSK podiatrists, whilst also meeting the needs of less experienced podiatrists working in the field of biomechanics. 

Practical workshops will become available throughout the year. During the workshops evidence based theory will be linked to practice, providing a deeper understanding and reinforcement of previous online course work. 

Lower limb biomechanics will cover the following:

1. Theories in podiatric biomechanics
2. Lower limb alignment and associated injuries
3. Orthotic management and muscle function of the lower limb
4. Prescription writing
5. Sports biomechanics

The ankle joint, biomechanics, assessment and management

The incidence of lateral ankle sprains are extremely common, particularly in sports related activities where 85% of ankle sprains result from an inversion injury. Following a lateral ankle sprain unless the correct treatment is applied, reoccurrence can takes place.  The rate of reoccurrence is reported to be as high as 80% following poor management. This lesson will look at the structure and biomechanical function of the ankle joint, common ankle injuries and their mechanism of injury, detailed ankle assessment, and treatment modalities of the various injuries. This lesson will build your confidence in the assessment and treatment of common ankle disorders.

The knee joint, biomechanics, assessment and management

The knee is one of the largest joints in the body and one of the most frequent sites of injury during sporting activity. This lesson will look at the structure and biomechanical function of the knee joint, common knee injuries and their mechanism of injury, detailed knee assessment, and treatment modalities of the various injuries. This lesson will build your confidence in the assessment and treatment of common knee disorders.

Hip and low back, biomechanics, assessment and management

Low back pain is a debilitating condition and will affect at least 90% of the population through the course of their life. It is one of the most common cause of sickness and lost revenue in the workplace. This lesson will look at the structure and biomechanical function of the hip, lumbar and sacroiliac joints. You will learn how biomechanical dysfunction of the lower limb  will contribute to pathology of the hip and low back.  This lesson will build your confidence in the assessment and treatment of biomechanically induced hip and low back pain.

Soft tissue manipulation

Massage is without doubt one of the oldest forms of medicine known to man. When applied by a skilled therapist, it may be used successfully to treat most conditions of metabolic imbalance within the soft tissues of the body caused by injury, paralysis, disease etc. When used in conjunction with acupuncture, manipulation or electrotherapy it has been shown to be a highly effective form of physical therapy. 

The soft tissue manipulation programme will start by introducing you to the history of massage and how it has evolved over the years. There is a strong emphasis on health and safety and contraindications with the use of massage in the management of the lower limb. You will be introduced to a range of massage techniques and treatment protocols for the management of the lower limb. 

Sports massage and the management of athletes in particular runners will be one of the areas in which you will develop your knowledge and skills.

Joint mobilisation

Joint mobilisation techniques are a simple form of passive movements that can be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment modalities to ensure a quick recovery.

This lesson will mainly focus on the Maitland mobilisation techniques, which is a common method that is practiced by physical therapists to assess and treat joint, soft tissue and movement dysfunction. 

The purpose of this lesson is to familiarise you with a rational of joint mobilisation procedures in the treatment of lower limb dysfunction.  A range of common condition of the lower limb which are seen in your daily clinic will be discussed with regards to how they can be successfully treated with mobilisation. This will include mobilisation of the talocural joint, proximal and distal fibula heads, STJ, Hallux and sesamoids, lesser digits, cuboid, and navicular. The online CPD training will prepare you for our practical workshops.