DISTANCE LEARNING This will involve the practice of the specific points learned over the weekend as well as reading specific outlined and provided articles and text on most recent research on acupuncture/needling and the neuroanatomical effects. The total hours required to fulfill on the distance learning will be 20 hours before course start date for Component 1, 49.5 hrs for Component 2 between 1st and 2nd weekend and 49.5 hrs for Component 3 between 2nd and 3rd weekend. In total, there will be 119 hrs of distance learning that will take place. Distance Learning Component 2 49.5 hrs: Mechanical signalling through connective tissue: A mechanism for the Therapeutic Effect of Acupuncture The Neurobiology of Pain Lancet The Role of Acupuncture in Pain Management Clin N Am Acupuncture for Pain Kelly et al Acupuncture for Acute Low Back Pain Lee et al Efficacy comparison of five different acupuncture methods on pain, stiffness, and function in OA of the knee Li et al The Involvement of Descending Pain Inhibitory System in EA-induced Analgesia Napadow et al Examination of Peripheral Nerve Injuries Russell SM Fascial Plasticity - A new neurobiological examination Schleip Fascial mechanoreceptors and their role in in tissue manipulation Schleip Neurobiology of Pain Besson Allostasis and Allostatic Load: Implication for Neruopsychopharmacology McEwan Acupuncture - Self-appraisal and the reward system Lundberg Neurogenic inflammation: Effects on the body acutely and chronically Cobler Structure and Biomechanics of Peripheral Nerves: Nerve response to physical stresses and implications for physical therapy Topp et al Practice of points learned in Weekend 1 Students will be examined with a test at the beginning of each weekend on the Friday morning. This test will be written and will contain 25 questions in length covering content of the previous weekend as well as the information from the articles that were selected for reading. There will be a practical test during the final weekend of the course where students will be tested on specific needle insertion sites. Students failing to pass the test will be re-tested on the final day of the course. Any student failing to pass the test will be asked to review the course for certification.