Tuina Fundamentals – Shanghai Style with Bill Helm

Friday-Saturday, February 27 - March 02, 2026

Join us at the start of our new training cycle to learn Tuina Fundamentals - Shanghai Style techniques and protocols from Bill Helm, Tuina and Qi Gong Teacher, AOBTA® Certified Instructor, and longtime former Chair of the Massage and Bodywork Program at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.

This hands-on intensive introduces the foundational principles and clinical application of Shanghai-style Tuina manual therapy. Students learn oscillating hand techniques, pressure methods, and movement strategies while developing refined kinesthetic force expression.

Participants will learn about Bi Syndrome, Wei Qi deficiency, and structural disorders through a Chinese bodywork lens, then apply complete whole-body and regional Tuina protocols under close supervision. Emphasis is placed on safe, effective clinical application for musculoskeletal pain, joint dysfunction, and systemic regulation.

Courses may be taken individually and out of sequence; however, we strongly recommend that the orthopedic series offered in 2026 be taken in order.

1.  Full Body Protocol, Friday, February 27, 2026
Tuina Hand Techniques and Full Body Protocol - Shanghai Style

2.  Spine, Saturday, February 28, 2026
Cervical-Neck and Thoracic-Lumbar

3.  Upper Extremity, Sunday, March 1, 2026
Shoulder-Elbow and Wrist-Hand

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

To 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/

Full Body Protocol, Friday, February 27, 2026 from 9:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Tuina Hand Techniques and Full Body Protocol - Shanghai Style

Friday Course description: In this hands-on practical class students will be taught specific Tuina oscillating hand techniques, as well as principles of effective expression of kinesthetic force. Patterns and underlying factors of Bi Syndrome and Deficient Wei Qi will also be identified, and students will have the opportunity to practice, under supervision, a whole body Tuina treatment designed to expel pathogenic factors from the channels, muscles, tendons, and joints, relieve qi and blood stagnation, and tonify underlying deficiencies.

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

1.     Learn oscillating techniques; Rolling, Finger Springing, Grasping and kneading.
2.     Learn pressure techniques; Pushing, Pressing and Press-rub.
3.     Learn movement techniques; Passive Movement, Traction
4.     Identify symptoms of excess Qi
5.     Develop specific skills in applying Tuina oscillating hand techniques
6.     Define specific patterns of qi obstruction and deficiency in the channels, muscles, tendons, and joints
7.     Learn a whole body Tuina treatment protocol which can be used right away to address these conditions

Recommended Resources:
Books: Tuina: Chinese Bodywork
DVDs: Tuina: Full Body for Relaxation and Dispersion
DVDs: Tuina Hand Technique/Orthopedic Disorders (2 disc)

Spine, Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Shanghai Style Tuina for the Spine - Cervical-Neck and Thoracic-Lumbar

Saturday Course Description: In this hands-on practical class, students will learn and practice specific Tuina treatment protocols used to address structural disorders of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Students will be instructed in diagnosis from a Chinese bodywork perspective, including identification of Bi Syndrome and patterns of Qi obstruction and deficiency. Emphasis is placed on oscillating hand techniques, pressure techniques, passive movement, and traction, with extensive supervised practice to support safe and effective clinical application.

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

1. Identify structural disorders of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine

2. Define specific patterns of Qi obstruction and deficiency in the channels, muscles, tendons, and joints of the cervical, neck, thoracic and lumbar spine.

3. Identify symptoms of excess and deficient Qi

4. Apply essential Tuina oscillating and pressure techniques for spinal disorders

5. Learn passive movement and traction methods for spinal mobilization

6. Perform region-specific Tuina treatment protocols for the spine

Recommended Resources:
DVDs: Tuina for Cervical and Lumbar Spine

Upper Extremity, Sunday, March 1, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Shanghai Style Tuina for the Upper Extremity - Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist and Hand

Sunday Course Description: In this hands-on practical class, students will learn and practice Tuina assessment and treatment strategies for structural disorders of the upper extremity, including the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. Instruction includes identification of Bi Syndrome, patterns of Qi obstruction and deficiency, and the application of oscillating hand techniques, pressure techniques, joint mobilization, and acupoint work. Students will engage in extensive supervised practice to support confident clinical application.

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

1. Identify structural disorders of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand

2. Recognize patterns of Qi obstruction and deficiency affecting the upper extremity

3. Identify appropriate acupoints for upper extremity conditions

4. Apply oscillating, pressure, and mobilization techniques

5. Perform Tuina treatment protocols for common and challenging upper extremity disorders
   

Recommended Resources:
DVDs: Tuina for the Upper Extremities

Lower Extremity, Monday, March 2, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Shanghai Style Tuina for the Lower Extremity - Hip, Knee, Ankle and Foot

In this hands-on practical class, students will learn and practice Tuina treatment strategies for structural disorders of the lower extremity, including the hip, knee, ankle, and foot. Instruction includes assessment from a Chinese bodywork perspective, identification of Bi Syndrome, and patterns of Qi obstruction and deficiency. Emphasis is placed on oscillating techniques, pressure techniques, joint mobilization, traction, and supervised practice to support safe and effective clinical use.

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

1. Identify structural disorders of the hip, knee, ankle, and foot

2. Define patterns of Qi obstruction and deficiency affecting the lower extremity

3. Identify symptoms of excess and deficient Qi

4. Apply Tuina oscillating, pressure, and mobilization techniques

5. Perform complete lower extremity Tuina treatment protocols

Recommended Resources:
DVDs: Tuina for the Tuina for the Lower Extremities Extremities