Orthopedic Series – Deep Tissue Tuina with Bill Helm

Friday-Monday, October 2-5, 2026

Welcome to the upcoming four-day Deep Tissue Tuina weekend training.

This intensive course explores the use of Tuina deep-tissue techniques to release chronic or deeply held stagnation of Qi and Blood, facilitate structural-fascial release, and restore balance throughout the channels and musculoskeletal system.

Drawing upon Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and postural analysis, participants will learn to assess channel and muscle stagnation, recognize structural and postural patterns, and develop individualized treatment strategies. Each day combines targeted instruction, demonstration, and supervised hands-on practice for a specific region of the body, including the neck, head, and face; thoracic and lumbar spine and shoulder; abdomen and lower extremity; and shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand.

Students will gain practical skills in postural assessment, deep-tissue Tuina protocols, structural and fascial treatment, and clinical integration. Emphasis will be placed on evaluating treatment outcomes and adapting techniques according to each patient’s presentation and response.

Courses may be taken individually and out of sequence; however, the four-day training provides a comprehensive, progressive approach to assessing and treating the body from head to foot.

Orthopedic Series (Weekend 3): Deep Tissue Tuina
Friday-Monday 10/02/26-10/05/26 (32-hrs)

Day 1. Head, Neck and Face, Friday, October 2, 2026
Postural Analysis and Treatment of Neck, Head, and Face

Day 2. Thoracic-Lumbar and Shoulder, Saturday, October 3, 2026
Treatment protocols for the Thoracic-Lumbar and Shoulder

Day 3. Lower Extremity, Sunday, October 4, 2026
Treatment protocols for the Hip, Upper and Lower Leg, and Foot

Day 4. Upper Extremity, Monday, October 5, 2026
Treatment protocols for Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, and Hand

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, October 2, 2026 from 9:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Deep Tissue Tuina: Head, Neck and Face
Postural Analysis and Treatment of Neck, Head, and Face

Friday Course description: This session focuses on the release of deep stagnation of Qi and Blood through techniques of Tuina Deep Tissue bodywork to effect structural-fascial release and channel balance. This is achieved through postural analysis and assessment of channel and muscle stagnation, designing an appropriate dredging treatment that integrates acupoint and channel relationships.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the TCM theory underlying postural analysis and the rationale for deep tissue Tuina intervention.

2. Assess and develop individualized treatment strategies for postural disorders.

3. Perform treatment plan utilizing appropriate deep tissue techniques on the neck, head, and face.

4. Evaluate treatment outcomes and modify approaches based on patient response.

Day 2 – Saturday, October 3, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Deep Tissue Tuina: Thoracic-Lumbar and Shoulder
Deep Tissue Tuina for the Thoracic-Lumbar and Shoulder

Saturday Course Description: This session focuses on the release of deep stagnation of Qi and Blood through Tuina deep tissue bodywork to facilitate structural-fascial release and channel balance. Participants will utilize postural analysis and assessment of channel and muscle stagnation to guide treatments. The curriculum integrates TCM theory with specific protocols for the torso, spine, shoulder, and upper and lower back, including modifications for common postural syndromes and clinical integration.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the mechanics and clinical rationale for deep tissue Tuina for the Thoracic-Lumbar (torso, spine, upper and lower back) and shoulder.

2. Demonstrate Tuina protocols specific to the torso, spine, shoulder, and upper and lower back, including modifications for common postural syndromes.

3. Evaluate treatment outcomes and modify approaches based on patient response.

Day 3 – Sunday, October 4, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Deep Tissue Tuina: Lower Extremity
Treatment protocol for the Hip, Upper and Lower Leg, and Foot

Sunday Course Description: This session focuses on the release of deep stagnation of Qi and Blood through Tuina deep tissue bodywork to facilitate structural-fascial release and channel balance. The course covers postural analysis, assessment strategies, and the clinical rationale for treating the abdomen and lower extremity. Participants will develop and evaluate individualized treatment plans, demonstrate specific Tuina protocols for the hip, thigh, lower leg, and foot, and integrate postural correction modifications into clinical practice.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the TCM theory, assessment strategies, mechanics, and clinical rationale for Deep Tissue Tuina for the abdomen and lower extremity.

2. Develop and evaluate individualized treatment plans for the abdomen and lower extremity based on postural analysis.

3. Demonstrate Tuina protocols for Deep Tissue Tuina for the abdomen and lower extremity.

4. Evaluate treatment outcomes and modify approaches based on patient response.

Day 4 – Monday, October 5, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Deep Tissue Tuina for Upper Extremity
Treatment protocol for Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, and Hand

This session focuses on the release of deep stagnation of Qi and Blood through Tuina deep tissue bodywork to facilitate structural-fascial release and channel balance. The training emphasizes postural analysis and the assessment of channel and muscle stagnation to inform individualized treatment plans for the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. Participants will demonstrate Tuina deep tissue protocols, integrate assessment results into clinical interventions, and evaluate treatment outcomes to modify approaches based on patient response.

In this class you will learn: This course has both didactic and practical components.

1. Describe TCM theory and assessment strategies for the Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, and Hand.

2. Demonstrate Tuina Deep Tissue protocols for the upper extremities.

3. Evaluate postural and integrate assessment results into an individualized treatment plan.

4. Evaluate treatment outcomes and modify approaches based on patient response.