FLOW Symposium 2027 SUN Mar 21

Pain is not simply a reflection of tissue damage, and effective treatment requires more than identifying where a patient hurts. By better understanding the mechanisms contributing to pain— and how the nervous system and connective tissues respond to therapeutic input—clinicians can become more intentional in both assessment and treatment.

This presentation explores how acupuncture and therapeutic needling may influence pain through mechanical, neurological, and local tissue mechanisms. By developing a better understanding of the mechanisms driving a patient’s pain, practitioners can begin to make more informed decisions about not only where to needle, but why they are needling and what therapeutic response they are attempting to create.

Particular attention will be given to the information clinicians can gather from Ashi points and changes in mechanical sensitivity.

Rather than viewing an Ashi point simply as a painful location to needle, we will explore how the patient’s response to mechanical pressure can provide clinically useful information. Understanding and monitoring changes in mechanical thresholds before, during, and after treatment can provide the practitioner with a practical therapeutic meter—helping evaluate tissue sensitivity, treatment response, and guide clinical decision-making in real time.

The lecture will also explore how different needling techniques may affect tissues differently depending on the type, function, mechanical state, and position of the tissue being treated. Contractile tissue may respond differently than inert connective tissue, just as postural muscles may require a different therapeutic approach than more phasic muscles.

We will examine how factors such as tissue length, tension, position, and mechanical loading can influence both the information gathered during assessment and the response to needling. By recognizing that tissue is not mechanically or neurologically uniform, practitioners can begin selecting and modifying their needling techniques based on the specific characteristics of the tissue and the therapeutic response they are attempting to create.

Ultimately, this presentation encourages practitioners to move beyond simply asking: “Where should I put the needle?” and begin asking:

“What tissue am I treating, what pain mechanism am I attempting to influence, and what therapeutic response am I trying to create?”

Concussion is one of the most common neurological injuries worldwide, yet many patients continue to experience persistent symptoms despite normal imaging and conventional treatment. Acupuncturists are uniquely positioned to play an important role in concussion recovery by addressing autonomic dysfunction, vestibular symptoms, headaches, neck dysfunction, sleep disturbances, and nervous system regulation.

This presentation provides an introduction to modern concussion science through the lens of acupuncture and Traditional East Asian Medicine. Participants will gain an updated understanding of concussion physiology, recognize common post-concussion symptom patterns, and explore how acupuncture can complement interdisciplinary neurological care.

The world has changed, and so have the expectations of our patients. In this practical and inspiring session, Clara shares how acupuncturists can use social media, educational content, and AI to build trust, educate their communities, and grow a thriving practice without feeling salesy or inauthentic. Attendees will leave with practical strategies they can implement immediately, regardless of their level of experience or comfort with technology.

This 3-hour hands-on needling workshop introduces participants to the clinical reasoning, specialized techniques, and needle design behind Dao Needling.

Building on concepts from the morning lecture, participants will move from theory into practical application—assessing, positioning, needling, and reassessing tissue in real time.

A central concept will be position versus condition. Through basic postural analysis, palpation, movement, and mechanical threshold testing, participants will explore whether a tissue is contributing to a patient’s presentation or simply responding to forces occurring elsewhere.

Participants will also learn the Dao principle:
“Bring the tissue to you.”

Patient positioning can alter tissue length, tension, orientation, and accessibility. Participants will practice positioning strategies that place the target tissue in the desired mechanical state before needling.

The Tissue, the Needle & the Technique

Not all tissues are the same—and they should not necessarily be needled the same way.

Through hands-on needling practice, participants will explore how treatment may differ based on tissue characteristics, including postural versus phasic muscle, contractile versus inert tissue, and shortened versus lengthened or tensioned tissue.

Participants will also be introduced to the specialized Dao needle and explore how needle design, shape, and gauge influence handling and mechanical interaction with tissue.

Selected Dao Needling techniques will be demonstrated and practiced, allowing participants to experience how tissue state, patient positioning, needle selection, and technique work together.

Throughout the workshop, participants will use a simple clinical framework:
Assess → Understand → Position → Select → Needle → Reassess

The goal is to move beyond simply asking “Where should I put the needle?” and begin asking:
Why this tissue?
Why this position?
Why this needle?
Why this technique?
How do I know if it worked?

Migraine is one of the most common neurological disorders encountered in acupuncture practice, yet many patients continue to struggle despite medications, dietary changes, and years of treatment. This clinically focused presentation bridges modern neuroscience with Traditional East Asian Medicine to help practitioners better understand the physiologic drivers of migraine and develop more individualized treatment strategies.

Participants will review the latest acupuncture research, evidence-based treatment protocols, medication-overuse headaches, vestibular and ocular findings, hormonal and inflammatory contributors, histamine dysregulation, and practical examination techniques that can immediately be incorporated into clinical practice. Emphasis is placed on translating current research into simple, actionable clinical pearls that practitioners can begin using with patients the very next day.

Complex patients rarely present with a single textbook pattern. In this highly interactive workshop, Clara introduces her signature 9-Step Framework for Clinical Reasoning, a practical system that guides practitioners from the initial patient interview through diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical decision-making.

Using real patient cases from over 23 years of clinical practice (with identifying details removed to protect patient privacy), participants will work through progressively challenging cases using the framework. Through instructor-led discussions, collaborative small-group exercises, and guided case analysis, attendees will learn how to organize clinical information, prioritize patterns, and develop confident treatment strategies.

Attendees will leave with a structured framework they can immediately apply to confidently assess and manage complex patients in everyday clinical practice.