2008

Vancouver, Canada - THIS COURSE IS ALREADY FULLY BOOKED

Part One GunnIMS course (Theoretical and some practical)

Venue:     Institute for the Study and Treatment of Pain 
Tutors:     Dr C Chan Gunn, Lynn Chapman, Joanne McBrinn and others
Dates:      April 17 - 20, 2008

Vancouver, Canada -  THIS COURSE IS ALREADY FULLY BOOKED

Part One GunnIMS course (Theoretical and some practical)

Venue:     Institute for the Study and Treatment of Pain 
Tutors:     Dr C Chan Gunn, Lynn Chapman, Joanne McBrinn and others
Dates:      October 23 - 26, 2008

Dates set aside for practicums so far are:

June 1 - 3 - FULLY BOOKED

August 22 - 24 - FULLY BOOKED

September 13 - 15 - FULLY BOOKED

September 20 - 22 - FULLY BOOKED

DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM

Abstract:

"Intramuscular Stimulation: An Effective Treatment for Musculoskeletal  Pain Syndromes"

A four-day intensive workshop on Intramuscular Stimulation for physicians and physiotherapists wishing to effectively treat chronic musculoskeletal pain. Upon successful completion, participants will be able to practice a comprehensive system of diagnosis and treatment of myofascial pain syndromes.

The format for the course will include lectures, demonstrations, group discussions, practical sessions, independent study, written and practical examinations, and a three day practicum to be completed at least six months after completing Part 1 but no longer than one year after completing Part 1.

Curriculum Outline

The following is a recommended curriculum framework for the training of physicians and physiotherapists licensed to practice acupuncture within their scope of practice, in the dry-needling technique of Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS).

The following is a recommended curriculum framework for the training of physicians and physiotherapists licensed to practice acupuncture within their scope of practice, in the dry-needling technique of Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS).

It is the responsibility of the registrant to determine that:

• the employment of this technique is within their scope of practice, and

• the accreditation procedures are suitable for their requirements.

The curriculum has been designed so that healthcare providers who complete the program will achieve a uniform knowledge and skill base.

Skills and Knowledge Acquisition

Each module's objectives define the specific skills and knowledge that are necessary for the practitioner to make sound and informed judgments in the assessment and management of musculoskeletal disorders of neuropathic origin.

Instructional Methods

• Lecture / Demonstration

• Small group discussions

• Demonstrations and Practical sessions: examination, needling, anatomy lab

• Independent Study - required reading & instructional video

• Examination - written & practical during Part 1 (4 days) and Part 2 (3 days practicum) of the course
  a)  anatomy (muscular, vascular and reural)  NOTE:  participants need to ensure that they are prepared to do this exam on the first day of the course
  b)  GunnIMS theory
  c)  GunnIMS clinical examination and needling techniques

• A practicum will be held at iSTOP.  Cost for this is included in the cost of the instructional course.

Materials Provided to Participants

• Textbook "The Gunn Approach to the Treatment of Chronic Pain: Intramuscular Stimulation for Myofascial Pain of Radiculopathic Origin" by Professor C. Chan Gunn with a foreword by Professor Patrick D. Wall, 2nd Edition, Hardcover, Churchill Livingstone 1996, ISBN 0443054223

• Reference book “Reprints on Pain, Acupuncture & IMS”, a comprehensive review of the medical literature and research bibliography relevant to the IMS theory and practice

• Instructional video or CD set "Myofascial Pain and Intramuscular Stimulation", C. Chan Gunn

• Needle Plunger, box of assorted IMS needles

Evaluation Instruments

• Pre-Course Examination Survey taken to assess key knowledge and skill areas including anatomy, myology, case history skills, and practical examination skills. The curriculum may be modified according to the findings of the survey.

• Written Examination Pre & Post Modules

• Clinical Examination After Each Applicable Module

• Internship Program & Evaluation

• Final Examination

Module Objectives

The practitioner will gain knowledge of:

i) The anatomy and physiology of pain

ii) The Three Phases of Pain - immediate, acute and chronic.

iii) Three common causes of chronic pain -

• ongoing nociception/inflammation,

• psychogenic, and

• neuropathy. (Cannon's Law and Denervation Supersensitivity.)

iv) Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain of Neuropathic Origin.

v) Clinical Manifestations

• Sensory

• Motor (Consequences of Muscle Shortening - Contractures; pain in muscle caused by shortening/spasm in striated muscle; vasoconstriction caused by shortening in vascular smooth muscle. The large variety of pain syndromes caused by the mechanical pull of shortened muscles, including spondylosis and the prolapsed intervertebral disc)

• Autonomic

• Trophic (Changes & Collagen Degradation in neuropathy)

The practitioner will gain an understanding of the principles of IMS for chronic neuropathic pain, and be initiated into elementary IMS needling techniques. In addition, clinical features of neuropathic pain will be demonstrated through patient presentations.

i) Review the therapeutic applications of:

• Reflex Stimulation

• Local injury / inflammation caused by needle therapy

• The Current of Injury Healing

• Platelet Derived Growth Factor

ii) The importance of:

• Muscle Shortening and its release 

• Vasoconstriction and its reversal

iii) Implications of spasm in Paraspinal Muscles. Radiculopathic Dysfunction and the necessity for the release of shortened paraspinal muscles in spondylotic conditions such as disc degeneration.

iv) Response in Long Standing Disorders e.g., osteoarthritis.

v) Basic Needle technique:

• Sterilization - Importance of asepsis.

• Demonstration and practice: Vasovagal reactions.

• Choice of Needles

• Finding Points

• Using Point Finder or Neurometer

• Needle Insertion Technique

• Finding Spasm & Release of Spasm

Examination - written (anatomy and theory), to be given at the end of the theoretical portion of the course.

Lecturers / Demonstrators / Examiners

• Professor C. Chan Gunn, MD, PhD, iSTOP Founder & President

• Dr. Allan C.P. Lam, Clinic Director

• Ms Lynn Chapman, PT, Education Director

• Ms. Joanne McBrinn, PT

Prerequisites

iSTOP operates under the British Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, as well as the BC College of Physical Therapists. To train with us, you must obtain temporary registration from one of these bodies. 

Medical physicians and Physiotherapists wishing to register for the GunnIMS course must provide the following in advance of course attendance and practicum:

1.  Copy of your medical degree or a letter from the institution where you are currently associated.

2.  Certificate of Good Standing from your licensing body.

3.  Proof of Malpractice Insurance up to $3 million per occurrence, effective in Canada.  This can be obtained from:

The Canadian Medical Protective Association
P.O. Box 8225, Stn. T
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1G 3H7
Tel: (613) 725-2000 Fax: (613) 725-2336
www.cmpa.org

Or, for physiotherapists through:

Canadian Physiotherapy Association
2345 Yonge Street; Suite 410 
Toronto, Ontario M4P 2E5 
Tel: (416) 932-1888 or 1-800-387-8679 
Fax: (416) 932-9708
www.physiotherapy.ca

or also from

Willis Canada Inc
Suite 1200, 145 King Street West
Toronto
ON, M5H 1J8
Tel: 514-842-8922
Fax:514-844-8022

or

Willis Canada Inc.
Suite 1500, 1095 West Pender Street
Vancouver
BC, V6E 2M6
Tel: 604/683-6831
Fax: 604/683-5746
www.willis.ca

4.  Physical Therapists must show proof of having 2 years of musculo-skeletal and / or neuro-muscular physiotherapy patient experience* as well as ONE of the following:

a.  Certificate of acupuncture (Registration with CAFCI [Acupuncture Foundation] or Dr Steven Aung Medical Acupuncture Course through the University of Alberta)

b. Level 3 (upper and lower) of the Intermediate Diploma of Manual Therapy certified by the Orthopaedic Division of Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA)

*  NOTE:   2 years applicable experience confirmed with a letter from your employer/s 

NOTE TO FEMALE PARTICIPANTS:  

Female participants who are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant should rather consider registering for another course (post-partum) because pregnancy is contra-indicated for IMS.

Registration Procedure for Physicians:

• Please mail us your completed registration form and payment, along with your current CV.

• Upon receipt of this, we will write a sponsor letter to the appropriate local College on your behalf, seeking temporary registration (for those students who are registered in a province other than the one where the course are being presented) for the proposed studying of IMS at the Institute. They will review your credentials and determine if you can study with us.

• The College will then request that you send them the following documents:
  - completed application form and criminal record search authorization form (you will receive these after your CV is approved)
  - copy of your medical degree (English translation)
  - copy of your specialty certificate
  - original Canadian immigration documents authorizing you to be in Canada for the purpose of your training course 

• Once these documents are received and approved by the College, you must obtain a Certificate of Good Standing from your regional licensing body (this is only needed if you are NOT registered in the province where the course is held). You must arrive one day before the course begins and deliver this to the College in person. There you will be charged a processing fee and given your final Temporary Registration papers.

• Students who are registered in the province where the course are presented, need not contact the College for a Certificate of Good Standing.

• Please ensure that you also send copies of the above to iSTOP.

Registration Procedure for

• Please mail us your completed registration form and payment, along with your current CV.
  
  FOR PHYSIOTHERAPISTS NOT REGISTERED IN BRITISH COLUMBIA:

• Contact the College to obtain an application for Courtesy Registration which will require that you provide the following:
  a.    A letter of request for courtesy registration indicating if you are taking or teaching a course and the name, date and location of the course;
         Courses are usually held in Vancouver.  Therefore I include their contact information:
              College of Physiotherapists of BC
              Contact Person:  Anna Gloria
              Tel:  (604)-730-9193
              E-mail:  anna_gloria@cptbc.org
  For courses in other provinces, the relevant information will be supplied when registering for the course.

• The College will then request:
  a.     a completed application form (provided); and
  
  b.     a "Release of Information" form (provided) to be submitted to the regulatory organization where you currently hold registration. Complete this form and submit directly to the regulatory organization which must complete the form and mail directly to CPTBC. The College will accept a faxed copy with the original to follow by mail, and;

c.     a completed authorization for a Criminal Record Check form (provided), including the money order, certified cheque or credit card authorization  form provided, to be submitted to CPTBC;  

d.     proof of malpractice insurance effective in BC for a minimum of $3million. 

e.     a cheque to CPTBC in the amount of $40, Canadian funds payable at a Canadian Bank or Credit Union.

Should you have any questions about this process, feel free to contact us by phone, fax, or email. We wish you the highest success in your ongoing studies!

Please prepare your documents well in advance of the course date to ensure your participation and facilitate a smooth registration process.  

Please note that the cut-off date for registration is one (1) month before the start of the course.

  Registration Form    

Practicum  

Please note that as of January 1, 2007 our practicum format has changed.  

The practicum is now held over 3 days (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday) in a group setting.  

To book your space in a practicum, please contact iSTOP.

Fees & Registration

The student fee for upcoming courses is CDN$3000*, with a $1000 deposit due one month in advance of the start date and the balance of $2000 due on the first day of lectures.

This fee includes: daily continental breakfast; two daily coffee breaks with tea and light snacks; a group dinner hosted by iSTOP for all participants; all course supplies and pre-study materials; all lectures, demonstrations, training, and examinations; and the practicum (Part 2) to be completed within 12 months of Part 1 of the course.

Because we operate under the local Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons and Physical Therapists, prospective students must obtain temporary registration with one of these bodies in the province where the course is offered. The first step is to print out and complete the registration form. Mail or fax it to us along with your current CV.  All communication will be between the student and the Colleges.

* Price is subject to change

Vancouver

Classes run 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily.  Please arrive at 8:15 AM on the first day for final registration.

The Institute is centrally located in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. We are fifteen minutes from either the airport or the downtown core, easily accessible by car, taxi, shuttle busses or public transit. Vancouver International Airport is serviced by all major airlines, with direct flights from many major cities. 

Several restaurants operate within walking distance, as well as a busy food court in the Oakridge Plaza across the street. Our clean, bright clinic features a kitchen area with a fridge and microwave, should you wish to bring your own refreshments.

Attire at the clinic is business casual. Lockers are available for jackets and other personal items.

If you need information and assistance with anything during your stay, please feel free to ask any of our administrative staff, who will be happy to help you.

iSTOP has an arrangement with the Plaza500 Hotel as well as with Beautiful Bed & Breakfast Inc for students needing accommodation during their stay in Vancouver.  When you contact them, please remember to mention that you are visiting iSTOP in order to get the special rates.

Contact information:

Plaza500 Hotel
500 West 12th Ave
Vancouver
BC, V5Z 1M2

Tel.  604-873-1811
Fax. 604-873-5103
Web:  www.plaza500.com

Welcome to Vancouver. We hope you enjoy your visit!