Orthopedic Series – Beijing Style Tuina for Sports Injuries with Bill Helm

Friday-Saturday, May 29 - June 1, 2026

Welcome to the upcoming four-day Beijing Style Tuina for Sports Injuries weekend training.

This intensive course emphasizes the vigorous and muscular (Yang style) approach of Beijing-style Tuina. Participants will learn to apply acupressure, joint mobility, and stretching techniques specifically tailored for sports injuries, structural realignment, and athlete preparation and recovery.

Drawing from advanced orthopedic principles, the curriculum addresses both acute and chronic trauma, Qi and Blood stagnation, and strategies for restoring anatomical relationships using Traditional Chinese Medicine theory. Each day features targeted instruction and hands-on practice for specific regions and injury types, as outlined below.

Students will gain practical skills in deep-tissue Tuina, passive movement, facilitated stretching, and topical herbal trauma care, preparing them to safely and effectively treat athletic injuries and optimize performance. Courses may be taken individually and out of sequence; however, we recommend that the orthopedic series offered in 2026 be taken in order.

Weekend 2: Sports Injuries: Beijing Style 
Friday-Monday 05/29/26-06/01/26 (32-hrs)

1.    Athletic Protocol, Friday, May 29, 2026
Full Body Athletic Protocol and Pre- and Post-Event Considerations

2.    Spine, Neck and Low Back, Saturday, May 30, 2026
Passive Movement: Mechanics and Stretching Sequence
Low Back Injuries and Syndromes: Low Back Treatment

3.    Shoulder and Upper Extremity Injuries, Sunday, May 31, 2026
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)
Upper Extremity Injuries: Shoulder Treatment, Tennis Elbow and Wrist Treatment

4.  Lower Extremity Injuries, Monday, June 1, 2026
Hip and Knee, Chondromalacia and Lower Leg Injuries
Ankle and Foot Injuries and Plantar Fasciitis

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, May 29, 2026 from 9:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Beijing Style Tuina for Sports Injuries: Athletic Protocol
Full Body Athletic Protocol and Pre- and Post-Event Considerations

Friday Course description: This session is designed to prepare practitioners to work with athletes and treat common athletic injuries using Beijing Style Tuina methods. The focus will be on the full body athletic protocol, with emphasis placed on pre-event and post-event applications to optimize performance, prevent injury, and support recovery. The course integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory on sports injuries, hands-on demonstration, and clinical practice.

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

1. Explain the TCM theory underlying sports injuries and the rationale for Tuina intervention in athletic populations.

2. Demonstrate the full body athletic Tuina protocol, including pre- and post-event modifications.

3. Apply facilitated stretching techniques and passive joint movement to support athletic performance and recovery.

4. Integrate basic Chinese herbal methods for trauma into sports injury management.

5. Assess and develop individualized treatment strategies for athletes based on event timing and injury presentation.

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

Day 2 – Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Beijing Style Tuina for Sports Injuries: of the Spine, Neck and Low Back
Passive Movement: Mechanics and Stretching Sequence
Low Back Injuries and Syndromes: Neck and Low Back Treatment

Saturday Course Description: This session focuses on the application of Tuina for injuries of the neck, spine and low back in athletic populations. Participants will learn advanced passive movement mechanics, stretching sequences, and Tuina protocols for addressing acute and chronic low back injuries. The curriculum includes TCM assessment, hands-on practice, and integration of topical herbal trauma care.

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

1. Describe the mechanics and clinical rationale for passive movement and facilitated stretching in Tuina for neck, torso and low back injuries.

2. Demonstrate Tuina protocols specific to the neck, torso and low back, including treatment for common syndromes and injuries.

3. Assess and differentiate between acute, chronic, and “Bi” syndromes affecting the low back.

4. Apply facilitated stretching and passive joint movement to improve function and reduce pain in the neck, torso and lumbar region.

5. Integrate basic Chinese herbal trauma methods into treatment plans for injuries.

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

Day 3 – Sunday, May 31, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Beijing Style Tuina for Shoulder and Upper Extremity Injuries
Upper Extremity Injuries: Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist and Hand Treatments
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)

Sunday Course Description: This session covers Tuina assessment and treatment protocols for shoulder, and upper extremity injuries commonly encountered in athletic practice. Participants will learn specialized techniques including passive joint movement, PNF, and facilitated stretching, as well as the use of relevant acupoints and topical herbal methods for trauma. Emphasis will be placed on clinical reasoning, hands-on skills, and injury differentiation.

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

1. Explain the TCM theory and assessment strategies for shoulder, and upper extremity injuries in athletes.

2. Demonstrate Tuina protocols for shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand injuries, including passive movement and PNF.

3. Apply facilitated stretching and acupoint selection and application to manage pain and restore function in upper extremity injuries.

4. Integrate topical Chinese herbal trauma methods into treatment strategies for upper extremity injuries.

5. Differentiate and treat specific syndromes such as tennis elbow and wrist dysfunction using Tuina.

6. Develop and evaluate individualized treatment plans for neck, shoulder, and upper extremity injuries.

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

Day 4 – Monday, June 1, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Beijing Style Tuina for Lower Extremity Injuries Beijing Style
Hip and Knee Injuries, Chondromalacia and Lower Leg Injuries
Ankle and Foot Injuries and Plantar Fasciitis

This session addresses Tuina protocols for lower extremity injuries in athletes, including hip, knee, lower leg, ankle, and foot conditions. Participants will learn to apply passive movement, facilitated stretching, and topical herbal trauma methods to restore function, reduce pain, and support tissue healing. The course integrates TCM theory, clinical assessment, and hands-on practice for comprehensive lower limb care.

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

1. Describe TCM theory and assessment strategies for lower extremity injuries, including hip, knee, ankle, and foot.

2. Demonstrate Tuina protocols for lower extremity injuries, including passive movement, facilitated stretching, and acupoint selection and application.

3. Assess and treat conditions such as chondromalacia and plantar fasciitis using Tuina and topical Chinese herbal trauma methods.

4. Integrate facilitated stretching and passive joint movement to improve mobility and reduce pain in lower extremity injuries.

5. Formulate and evaluate individualized treatment plans for athletes with lower limb injuries.

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