Equine Veterinary Acupuncture Certification Courses
For certification in equine acupuncture cEBVAeq, students need to complete two levels of course work.
- Level One: 20-24 hours of online education and 24 hours in person.
- Level Two: 20-24 hours of online education and 18 hours in person.
Note: Students who complete BOTH Small Animal and Equine certifications will have non-limited credentials (cEBVA).
Students are required to treat cases and submit three sets of case reports and presentations between Level One and Level Two. All course materials must be completed within four years of starting the program.
Evidence Based Veterinary Acupuncture Equine Certification Course
Acu-Equus Level One: Basic Acupuncture
Online Session One: Neurophysiology of Acupuncture and Points
- Understanding acupuncture science: Neuromodulation Fascial physiology Anatomy basics Myofascial kinetic chains Reflex loops
- Channel-based arrangement of core acupuncture points: LU, LI, ST, SP PC, TE, BL, KI HT, SI, LR, GB Unpaired channels Paraspinal Points Extra points
- The foot and lower limb of the horse- anatomy, research and points
Session One: Objectives
Understand the neurophysiology behind the practice of acupuncture and start memorizing the most basic points that can be safely used to treat straightforward equine cases.
Session One Learning outcomes:
- Prepare an "elevator speech" for why you would like to add acupuncture to your management of selected equine cases.
- Be able to identify at least 30 acupuncture points based upon anatomic landmarks.
- Identify axillary acupuncture points that are related to distal points (by channel or myofascial kinetic chain) in order to facilitate a safe and well-tolerated treatment.
Online Session Two: The physical exam through an acupuncture lens
- Major palpatory landmarks in the horse The JAM exam in horses (Joint, Acupuncture and Motion)
- Psychology and personality contributions to acupuncture treatments in horses Client communication
- Acupuncture as social license in the horse Documenting, record keeping, informed consent and delay of appropriate treatmen.
Session Two: Objectives:
Learning the techniques introduced through the JAM exam (joint, acupuncture and motion) will revolutionize a practitioner's diagnostic ability and their approach to ALL cases, whether they are presenting for acupuncture or standard medical practices.
Session Two Learning outcomes:
- Understand the components of a JAM exam and begin to develop the tactile awareness to gently inquire about pain and other medical conditions in equine patients.
- Describe how personality and behavior might influence the type of treatment offered to a particular horse, and a particular type of client or barn situation.
- Capture the nuances of an acupuncture treatment in a simple form for medical recordkeeping.
Online Session Three: Acupuncture tools and treatment plans
- Designing Logical acupuncture treatment combinations Paraspinal Acupuncture Anatomy Large motor-group points Peri-articular appendicular Points Distal, neuro-immune vascular points Homeostatic Points
- Tools of Acupuncture Needling basics Electrical Stimulation Safety Tools of Fascial Input Mechanical tools (hands, massagers, scrapers) Sound waves (tuning fork, shockwave)
Session Three Objectives:
Bridging the vocabulary of points with the grammar of an elegant JAM exam, practitioners will arrive at a comprehensive acupuncture treatment plan, and feel empowered to learn and modify their approach with each subsequent treatment.
Session Three Learning outcomes:
- Design an acupuncture protocol for a specific type of case, with specific findings from a myofascial exam, in a particular environment.
- Understand alternatives to an established plan, so that your approach may be limber enough to accommodate changes based upon patient tolerance and response.
- Discuss other modalities that can be added to the acupuncture needling practice to expand the treatment, or modify it over time.
A Virtual real-time check in with Faculty and Students will be required the weekend before arriving to in-person course. All online material must be completed before starting the in-person course.
The online curriculum will be available 4-6 weeks prior to the in-person session. All of the online curriculum must be completed before the in-person session commences.
In-person Curriculum (entirely laboratory based):
Day One: Acupuncture exam and points
- Review safety, palpatory landmarks and the JAM exam in horse patients
- Assess knowledge of point locations in the horse, by channel and by region
- Begin the process of building tactile awareness as it relates to fascia and acupuncture points in horses.
- Assignment: Assess your biotype
Day Two: Acupuncture tools and treatments
- Review needle types and start handling needles
- Practice needle skills in horses
- Treat your first case
- Assignment: Write up a case to share tomorrow
Day Three: Adding complexity and communicating acupuncture concepts
- Incorporate electrical stimulation, myofascial motion, light and sound (shockwave) to acupuncture points and treatments
- Present your first case and develop the communication skills to discuss acupuncture neurophysiology and treatment recommendations
Evidence Based Veterinary Acupuncture Equine Certification Course
Acu-Equus Level Two: Expanding Depth of Practice
Online Session One: Expanding the alphabet: Acupuncture Points, Channels and Regions
- Expand upon the points learned in Level 1 to include additional points of interest, including more distal points and points on the head.
- Take a deeper dive into understanding the channels, and the advantages (and limitations) of treating along channels
- Learn specific points that are associated with a diagnostic function- for both musculoskeletal conditions and internal conditions. Learn back Shu and front Mu points
Session One Objectives:
Increase the size of your acupuncture “alphabet” of points, and expand indications for using these points.
Session One Learning outcomes:
- Increase your lexicon to at least 75 acupuncture points based upon anatomic landmarks.
- Describe somato-visceral reflex loops and identify which acupuncture points are reported to engage somato-autonomic long-loop reflexes to identify and modify organ disease.
- Negotiate the sometimes aligned, and sometimes contradictory goals of treating along acupuncture meridians versus treating along myofascial kinetic chains.
Online Session Two: Vocabulary: Deepening the Scientific Database Behind Acupuncture Science
- Basic Sciences Deep Dive: Neurophysiology, Fascial Physiology, Reflex loops, Pharmacology, Diet and Supplements.
- Literature Review: Acupuncture research and planning, the complexity of placebo effect in complex interactions, complexity theory.
- Understanding divergent perspectives in acupuncture: How can people treating ghosts, dampness, wind and grandparent misbehavior have comparable results in patient outcomes?
Session Two Objectives:
With some basic cases under your belt, session 2 should strengthen the breadth and depth of your acupuncture acumen and knowledge. There is a significant culture of dogmatism in the equine world- deeply understanding your scientific mitigates self-doubt when new techniques go viral.
Session Two Learning Outcomes:
- Grasp the scaffolding of basic science underpinning acupuncture effects.
- Explain the bumpy road to evidence-based medicine as it applies to acupuncture, and how it has started to resolve within the last 10 years.
- Be able to assess “new” and popular approaches to acupuncture through the lens of science, and understand how to translate colorful concepts into practical, scientifically palpable treatment options.
Online Session Three: Word Choice – Learning Treatment outlines for commonly encountered conditions in horses
- Explore commonly encountered conditions in horses and a theoretical approach to their treatment but understand that this will FIRST be dictated by your specific JAM exam for each patient.
- Musculoskeletal and myofascial conditions discussed will include: Head and jaw, C1-C7, Ventral cervical first rib & longus colli, thoracolumbar, sacropelvic, iliopsoas, distal limbs.
- Medical and immunological conditions discussed will include: laminits, digestive disorders, metabolic disease, neurological disease, immune modulating conditions, organs of special senses and conditions associated with aging.
Session Three Objectives:
In this session you will learn to compose an elegant treatment plan for various conditions, which will be implemented with attention to the JAM exam, the principles of medical acupuncture, and the cooperation of your patient.
Session Three Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the tenets of treating specific types of equine musculoskeletal conditions.
- Understand the tenets of treating specific types of equine medical and immunological conditions.
- Recognize the integration of multiple techniques for managing complex cases and be fluent in how to triage interventions in specific cases.
Three equine cases must be completed between Level One and Level Two. At least 2-3 visits per case is required, and a case report (as presented in person at Level One) will be required for each case.
A Virtual real-time check in with Faculty and Students will be required the weekend before arriving to in-person course. All online material must be completed before starting the in-person course.
In-person Curriculum (all in-laboratory):
Day One:
- Deep dive into anatomy and physiology in anatomy lab
- Horse-side review of case reports and accuracy of point location
- Assessing comprehension of new points within both channel and region
- Continuing to build tactile awareness as it relates to fascia and acupuncture points in horses
Day Two:
- Mu and Shu points in horses- focus on tactile intelligence
- Specific condition of the year (rotating among commonly encountered conditions)
- Comprehensive treatment of specific condition (acupuncture needles, electrical stimulation, myofascial release, motion, light, shockwave and sound).
