Orthopedic Series – Tuina for Advanced Musculoskeletal Disorders with Bill Helm

Friday-Monday, November 13-16, 2026

Welcome to the upcoming four-day Treating Advanced Musculoskeletal Disorders with Tuina clinical training, led by Bill Helm, AOBTA® Certified Instructor in Tuina and Medical Qigong.

This advanced series explores the assessment and treatment of complex acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions through the principles and hands-on practice of Tuina. Grounded in Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and informed by anatomy, biomechanics, and orthopedic assessment, the training emphasizes thoughtful clinical reasoning and individualized treatment.

Each day combines focused instruction, demonstration, and supervised hands-on practice addressing specific conditions: fibromyalgia and TMJ dysfunction; whiplash, Cervical Acceleration/Deceleration Syndrome, and chronic neck pain; lumbar sprains, strains, disk-related conditions, and frozen shoulder; and Bi Syndrome, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis of the lower extremities.

Participants will deepen their skills in palpation, physical and orthopedic assessment, cervical and lumbar treatment, joint mobilization, pain reduction, and the clinical application of specialized Tuina protocols. Emphasis will be placed on recognizing contraindications, evaluating treatment outcomes, and adapting techniques according to the condition, stage of injury, and individual patient response.

Courses may be taken individually and out of sequence; however, the complete four-day training offers a comprehensive approach to assessing and treating a broad range of challenging musculoskeletal presentations.

Weekend 4: Tuina Treatments: Advanced Musculoskeletal Disorders
Friday–Monday, November 13–16, 2026

Day 1. Tuina Treatments: Introduction to Advanced Musculoskeletal Disorders, Friday
Introduction to Advanced Musculoskeletal Disorders: TCM Theory, Fibromyalgia and TMJ

Day 2. Tuina Treatments: Advanced Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Neck, Saturday
Whiplash (Acute/Chronic), Cervical Acceleration/Deceleration (CAD) Syndrome, Chronic Neck Pain

Day 3. Tuina Treatments: Advanced Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Lumbar and Shoulder, Sunday
Lumbar (Strain/Sprain), Disk Protrusion/Herniation (Acute/Chronic), Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)

Day 4. Tuina Treatments: Bi-Syndrome of the Lower Extremities, Monday
Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Lower Extremities

NCBAHM/NCCAOM® PDAs, 8-hrs per day, 32 total. Pending.
NCBTMB® CEUs, 8-hrs per day, 32 total. Pending.

Learn more about this masterful teacher: 

Bill Helm, AOBTA® Certified Instructor
Bill Helm is the Director of the Taoist Sanctuary of San Diego and Senior Faculty at Eastern Medicinal Therapies Education Center. An ordained Taoist Priest, Bill has been studying Chinese martial and healing arts since 1965. He specializes in Taijiquan, Tuina Chinese Bodywork, Qi Gong and Herbal Medicine. Bill is a 20th generation Indoor Disciple of Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang and holds a 6th Duan Wei from Chinese Wushu Association.

Bill has also studied with Taijiquan Master Chen Xiaoxing, Master Chen Zhiquang, Master Ren Guangyi and Master Chen Bing. Bill travels periodically to Chen Village for focused practice of Chen Style Taijiquan. He studied Traditional Chinese Medicine in China at the Shanghai College of Medicine and the Beijing Olympic Training Center, and in the United States with Taoist Master Share K. Lew and Dr. Yu Da Fang. 

Taoist Sancturay: Bill Helm, AOBTA® CI
http://www.taoistsanctuary.org/

Day 1 – Friday, November 13, 2026 from 9:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Tuina Treatments: Introduction to Advanced Musculoskeletal Disorders
Introduction to Advanced Musculoskeletal Disorders: TCM Theory, Fibromyalgia and TMJ

Course Description: This course explores the TCM perspective on Fibromyalgia and Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Participants will examine the etiology of these conditions through the lens of Bi-Syndrome and Zang-Fu organ patterns. The session includes hands-on training in full-body relaxation and dispersion Tuina protocols, with a focus on clinical assessment and individualized treatment planning.

Learning Objectives:
1.     Analyze the TCM etiology and Zang-Fu patterns associated with Fibromyalgia and TMJ.
2.     Perform a clinical assessment to identify trigger points and tender points relevant to Fibromyalgia and TMJ.
3.     Demonstrate a full-body relaxation and dispersion Tuina protocol for patient stabilization.
4.     Develop an individualized treatment strategy for patients presenting with chronic pain and stress-related musculoskeletal tension.

Day 2 – Saturday, November 14, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tuina Treatments: Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Neck
Whiplash (Acute/Chronic), CAD Syndrome and other types of Chronic Neck Pain

Course Description: This session focuses on the assessment and treatment of Cervical Acceleration/Deceleration (CAD) syndrome. Participants will study the biomechanics of whiplash, the anatomical basis of cervical pain, and the distinction between acute and chronic stages. The course provides specific Tuina techniques for cervical mobilization and pain relief.

Learning Objectives:
1. Explain the biomechanics of whiplash and its impact on cervical soft tissue and nerve structures.
2. Differentiate between acute and chronic cervical trauma using palpation and physical examination.
3. Execute specific Tuina protocols for cervical traction, mobilization, and muscle spasm reduction.
4. Modify treatment approaches based on the stage of injury and patient response to manual intervention.

Day 3 – Sunday, November 15, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tuina Treatments: Advanced Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Lumbar and Shoulder
Lumbar and Shoulder: Lumbar (Strain/Sprain), Disk Protrusion/Herniation (Acute/Chronic), Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)

Course Description: This course covers the assessment and treatment of lumbar sprains, strains, and disk-related pathologies, as well as Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder). Participants will learn to identify nerve root involvement through orthopedic testing and apply targeted Tuina techniques to restore range of motion and reduce inflammation.

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the structural components of the lumbosacral spine and the etiology of disk protrusion/herniation.
2. Perform orthopedic tests (e.g., Straight Leg Raise, Figure 4 test) to assess for nerve root involvement.
3. Apply Tuina techniques for lumbar stabilization and shoulder mobilization.
4. Formulate treatment plans for both acute and chronic lumbar and shoulder conditions.

Day 4 – Monday, November 16, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tuina Treatments: Bi-Syndrome of the Lower Extremities
Osteoarthritis & Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Lower Extremities

Course Description: This session focuses on the management of chronic rheumatic diseases, specifically Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis of the lower extremities. Participants will learn to differentiate between these conditions from both a TCM (Bi-Syndrome) and biomedical perspective, with a focus on hip, knee, and ankle/foot pathologies.

Learning Objectives:
1. Differentiate between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis based on clinical symptoms and TCM diagnostic criteria.
2. Assess the lower extremities for joint degeneration, inflammation, and structural instability.
3. Perform specialized Tuina protocols for the hip, knee, and ankle to improve joint function and alleviate pain.
4. Evaluate the safety and efficacy of manual therapies in the context of systemic inflammatory disease.