The McMaster neurofunctional acupuncture course was transformative for my ability to assess and treat musculoskeletal injuries: not only by learning neurofunctional acupuncture techniques themselves but by learning how to perform a comprehensive assessment to look for areas of dysfunction that may not always be noticeable by the patient but contribute to our injuries nonetheless. Incorporating these interventions into my medical practice and seeing great results every day is very gratifying, both for myself and my patients!

A very unique course that offers equal opportunities to learn hands-on technique and in-class lectures. Integrated evidence-based acupuncture was well explained through a multitude & variety of instructors.

The McMaster program is very current and incorporates the latest evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture. It is easily applied in practice and is a great complement to manual techniques. It has become a big part of my practice in helping athletes return to sport quickly and pain-free.

Great is an underestimated word. Learned so much in a short amount of time.

So far I am pleased. It is like learning a new language.

Wonderful program. Clear, concise and very well presented.

The Neurofunctional Operating system which this course is based upon has changed the way I assess and treat my clients in practice. It has helped me gain a better understanding of pain and dysfunction, giving me a new approach to treating injuries. I found it very helpful to have many hours of hands-on practice with a variety of needling techniques and learning relevant blueprint treatments.

Advanced Functional Assessment Program. I would highly recommend this course to any health care practitioner! I took both the main and the advanced course concurrently and it has totally changed the way I look at the body. I have become much more holistic in my practice and have a much greater understanding of both the nervous and fascial system. It has allowed me to get patients better quicker and has significantly increased my caseload as a result. Could not be more thankful that I took this course.

The McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program was the most useful course I have ever taken. The course provides so much hands-on education and feedback that upon completion, I had acquired a new skill that I was able to incorporate immediately into clinical practice. I have used acupuncture in private, hospital and home care based clinical settings and it has made a real difference in clinical outcomes. I would definitely encourage physiotherapists to take the course as it can really enhance the quality of your practice and it is so fitting in the scope of what we do.

The course was very informative and up to date. It allowed me to apply the information immediately in practice.

Can't imagine practicing all of these years without starting my career with this course. It set me up for success!

The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture course at McMaster University was fantastic! It is an educational course that I will never forget. It forced me to open up my mind to new possibilities and has transformed the way that I approach my treatments. Dr. Elorriaga is an excellent educator and lecturer. His team of administrators and colleagues were extremely knowledgeable and imperative in the learning process.

This course was excellent. It required a lot of time and effort, and I travelled from Calgary to Hamilton for all 5 weekends. The course was recommended to me by colleagues who saw Dr. Elorriaga speak and I am glad I enrolled. It has changed the way I look at acute and chronic pain/dysfunction and therefore has changed the way I assess and treat clients who present with these complaints. The acupuncture is a handy modality to be able to use, but the real value in this course for me was the paradigm shift I experienced. I now strive to get really clear about what the nervous system … Read more

This course was excellent. It required a lot of time and effort, and I travelled from Calgary to Hamilton for all 5 weekends. The course was recommended to me by colleagues who saw Dr. Elorriaga speak and I am glad I enrolled. It has changed the way I look at acute and chronic pain/dysfunction and therefore has changed the way I assess and treat clients who present with these complaints. The acupuncture is a handy modality to be able to use, but the real value in this course for me was the paradigm shift I experienced. I now strive to get really clear about what the nervous system might be doing, and using this as my basis for all future assessment and treatment decisions.

Utilizing the neuro-functional assessment framework Dr. Elorriaga presents has enabled me to diagnose musculoskeletal dysfunctions more accurately and to provide improved treatment specificity and clinical outcomes for my patients. This course is a must for anyone wishing to improve and refine their clinical assessment skills.

Taking this course far exceeded my expectations! How refreshing to learn a functional, hands-on approach to wellness care. Dr. Alex and his associates are very knowledgeable and upbeat. His teaching methods made learning the concepts that involve acupuncture easy to understand. What a pleasure to be taught by him. I plan to take more courses in the future!

The Advanced Functional Assessment of Musculoskeletal Problems far exceeded my expectations. I feel I have a much deeper understanding of the functional integrated model. After 2 weeks of using what I’ve learnt, the clinical results have been absolutely tremendous. Patients are extremely happy and impressed with the level of effectiveness and efficiency of the treatments. Thank you!

Among all the courses I have taken so far the Contemporary Acupuncture program is by far the best. The clarity in which Dr. Elorriaga presented this material truly makes him an expert in this field. I personally enjoyed observing Dr. Elorriaga treat patients in the live case studies and was amazed by his results. The instructors at the program were very knowledgeable, friendly, and acted as great mentors. I truly was excited and looked forward to each unit of the program. Since completing the program I use acupuncture on a daily basis with most of my patients. I continue to be amaz… Read more

Among all the courses I have taken so far the Contemporary Acupuncture program is by far the best. The clarity in which Dr. Elorriaga presented this material truly makes him an expert in this field. I personally enjoyed observing Dr. Elorriaga treat patients in the live case studies and was amazed by his results. The instructors at the program were very knowledgeable, friendly, and acted as great mentors. I truly was excited and looked forward to each unit of the program. Since completing the program I use acupuncture on a daily basis with most of my patients. I continue to be amazed on the effectiveness of this modality on improving function, healing, and nociception. I constantly review the course material along with anatomy to continue to hone my technique.

This course was very comprehensive and a large asset in helping me treat my patient base. I found it focused on the technique and application which is favorable to implement it into a practice setting.

It has been a couple of years since I took the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program and I have used it every day in my clinic since. The integration of McMaster’s contemporary concepts blends very easily into a manual therapy practice. Their teachings, incorporating Western medical models, evidenced-based medicine and functional assessment has provided me with a powerful treatment tool that is very effective in conjunction with manual techniques.

The McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture was one of the best and most practical course I have taken in my career. The theoretical lectures, anatomy labs, practical workshops, and examinations worked congruently to make me a competent and confident Physiotherapist that utilizes acupuncture. My clients regularly receive acupuncture as an adjunct to their physiotherapy program and have reported greater improvement in their signs and symptoms as a result of its use. With diligent study and hard work, a student in this program can have the potential to understand the central, perip… Read more

The McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture was one of the best and most practical course I have taken in my career. The theoretical lectures, anatomy labs, practical workshops, and examinations worked congruently to make me a competent and confident Physiotherapist that utilizes acupuncture. My clients regularly receive acupuncture as an adjunct to their physiotherapy program and have reported greater improvement in their signs and symptoms as a result of its use. With diligent study and hard work, a student in this program can have the potential to understand the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems in a deeper way, which will not only improve one’s understanding of a client’s impairments, activity limitations, and subsequent participation restrictions, but also utilize such knowledge and skills in acupuncture to address functional movement disorders. Enrolling and completing the McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program was a worthwhile investment that has resulted in fantastic returns thus far. I highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to utilize acupuncture safely and optimally in their clinical practice.

The McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture course is thorough, intense and extremely practical. The lecturer and the instructors are informative, knowledgeable and very hands on. I learned so much while there and left feeling very prepared to start treatment on my own.

I've always taken a multidisciplinary approach to therapy and treatment. Throughout my career, I've learned from every type of therapist and doctor, tried to understand their way of looking at things and began building a whole-body approach in my own mind. What this course did for me was really connect the missing pieces. The human body is a synergistic functioning unit with all parts affecting one another at all times. This course really starts to connect everything unlike any course or working professionals I've ever worked with so far (with the exception of the ones that alre… Read more

I've always taken a multidisciplinary approach to therapy and treatment. Throughout my career, I've learned from every type of therapist and doctor, tried to understand their way of looking at things and began building a whole-body approach in my own mind. What this course did for me was really connect the missing pieces. The human body is a synergistic functioning unit with all parts affecting one another at all times. This course really starts to connect everything unlike any course or working professionals I've ever worked with so far (with the exception of the ones that already took and teach in this course!). If you don't leave this course thinking to yourself that it is so much you don't know or understand then you didn't go in with an open mind or humble enough. Even senior instructors in this course acknowledge there is so much we still don't know but we have a solid method for investigating and learning thanks to this.

A dramatic shift in paradigm that will make any practitioner a better doctor or therapist.

Informative and well done. Great for clinical practice.

The Advanced Functional Assessment of Musculoskeletal Problems was an excellent course to obtain a higher degree of learning on how to assess MSK problems. Dr. Elorriaga’s lectures and live case demonstrations on examination techniques that are related to nervous system dysfunction and MSK problems were clinically relevant to the practicing manual therapist. The hands-on assessment workshops and the gross anatomy lab solidified what Dr. Elorriaga taught in his lectures and live case treatments. A manual therapist of any training background and level of experience will benefit fro… Read more

The Advanced Functional Assessment of Musculoskeletal Problems was an excellent course to obtain a higher degree of learning on how to assess MSK problems. Dr. Elorriaga’s lectures and live case demonstrations on examination techniques that are related to nervous system dysfunction and MSK problems were clinically relevant to the practicing manual therapist. The hands-on assessment workshops and the gross anatomy lab solidified what Dr. Elorriaga taught in his lectures and live case treatments. A manual therapist of any training background and level of experience will benefit from this course. The course delivered cutting edge material with clinical relevance that will improve understanding of neuromuscular dysfunction during assessment and thereby improve treatment plans for recovery.

Great course! With a wealth of knowledge. It truly exceeded my expectations.

As the outline states, the Advanced Neurofunctional Needling course offered the opportunity to learn and practice advanced needling of joints and peripheral nerves throughout the body with a master of his trade. More importantly, Dr. Elorriaga provided me with the skills to improve my needling skills for years to come.

A world-class course that provides health professionals the confidence and certainty to provide high-quality care for their patients and clients.

I would like to thank Dr. Elorriaga for completely changing the way I evaluate patients. I just completed the Advanced Neurofunctional Acupuncture course, and it delivered far more than I could have expected. The course was well organized, informative and most importantly allowed lots of time for practical work. His model of neurofunctional assessment and treatment has allowed me to successfully treat some of my most complex cases, and it’s only been 2 Days. As a traditionally trained acupuncturist, I appreciated the neurochemical explanation of this powerful approach. I look for… Read more

I would like to thank Dr. Elorriaga for completely changing the way I evaluate patients. I just completed the Advanced Neurofunctional Acupuncture course, and it delivered far more than I could have expected. The course was well organized, informative and most importantly allowed lots of time for practical work. His model of neurofunctional assessment and treatment has allowed me to successfully treat some of my most complex cases, and it’s only been 2 Days. As a traditionally trained acupuncturist, I appreciated the neurochemical explanation of this powerful approach. I look forward to more courses with him in the future.

This course fundamentally changed my diagnostic approach.

McMaster's Contemporary Medical Acupuncture was career changing. Shifting focus from the MSK system as the primary, to a whole body approach, specifically the nervous system. Great success and clients are very pleased with the results. Definitely, recommend this course!

I am amazed at how well this modality works for pain! So far I have had excellent results in treating people with pain.

I am interested in pursuing research on acupuncture for conditions such as dizziness, tinnitus, anxiety, depression, and others.

The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture (CMA) Program at McMaster University created by Dr. Alejandro Elorriaga has to be one of the best learning experiences of my life. There are no regrets taking this course, just incredible amounts of learning and mind-expanding approaches to treatment.

Within the first 6 months of applying CMA to my practice, I've managed to have many positive results as well as converting a 1/3 of my practice to CMA. CMA works well with all modalities that I offer or by itself.

I'm looking forward to the Advanced Program.

The information presented was detailed, organized and the most clinically relevant approach to the diagnosis of movement disorders. It was Advanced Functional Assessment at its best and will change the way you manage musculoskeletal problems from now on!

The Advanced Neurofunctional Needling course was fantastic! I was very excited to apply the techniques presented the very next day. Alex is a wonderful teacher and gave us some excellent clinical pearls. It is always an enlightening experience to learn from him. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is looking to add new acupuncture techniques into their practice. I can’t wait until the next one!

I took this course over 4 years ago and it enhanced my understanding of human anatomy and how it relates to function and healing. The quality of teaching and training was outstanding. The instructors and teachers know their stuff. I enjoyed the course a lot and it changed how I understand diseases of healing in Medicine. It also shed a lot of light on functional and neurophysiology.

This course has been a game changer in my practice. It has further enhanced my clinical skills in ways I never thought possible. I would highly recommend this course to any clinician!

I can't recommend this course highly enough. It provides the most comprehensive acupuncture education available, incorporating all of the different techniques that other courses have "branded", in a neurofunctional approach to pain and dysfunction. It also provides acupuncture knowledge in the context of neurophysiology, practical clinical uses, general assessment and treatment at the elite level. It affords the student an extremely effective, evidence-based practical skill to enhance and complement a practitioner's current skill set.

McMaster's acupuncture program provided a wonderful hands-on experience for learning the skill of acupuncture. The instructors were very knowledgeable and excellent at teaching their skills to the students. Medical Acupuncture is a tool that I am going to use with many of my clients as it adds an extra layer to care that you cannot get with other modalities.

After taking other courses offered by other acupuncture groups, I found the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program to be superior in many ways. The instructors were very approachable, their small group teaching was outstanding and the anatomy labs helped to solidify a deeper understanding of my acupuncture practice. This course was easy to integrate into my practice right away and I’ve seen my client base grow directly because of this course.

Excellent course. It clarifies a lot of concepts that are not made clear from a Traditional Chinese Medicine standpoint. It makes acupuncture less esoteric and mystical.

As a health care professional, I feel that we must be the best we can be – for the sake of our clients and for our careers. I must tell you that taking this course at McMaster carries weight in the healthcare field. This course helped me finally understand where exactly the Pain is.

The strong emphasis on anatomy to enhance your personal learning of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems is a compliment to my career as a chiropractor. This course puts the science behind your decision making and also uses anatomy to keep your patients/clients safe.

Great for professionals wanting to expand their horizon. It is also kept in a reasonable time frame that works for busy professionals long hours.

Awesome! Puts your anatomy knowledge into a whole different perspective!

I’m a semi-retired chiropractor (1982) and licensed TCM acupunctor (1986). Throughout my practice, I have tried, to the best of my knowledge, to integrate both sciences. Looking back at all the different formations I took during these forty years of practice, the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture course I took in 2008 was a game changer in my work in terms of clinical results and pleasure in practice. The integration of neuro-plasticity concept, coupled with precise location and electric stimulation of the acupuncture points in the neuro-muscular structure, acquired in the dissect… Read more

I’m a semi-retired chiropractor (1982) and licensed TCM acupunctor (1986). Throughout my practice, I have tried, to the best of my knowledge, to integrate both sciences. Looking back at all the different formations I took during these forty years of practice, the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture course I took in 2008 was a game changer in my work in terms of clinical results and pleasure in practice. The integration of neuro-plasticity concept, coupled with precise location and electric stimulation of the acupuncture points in the neuro-muscular structure, acquired in the dissection lab, and a global comprehension of the functional anatomy were all parts of the solid course taught by Dr. Alejandro Elorriaga Claraco and his team in a multidisciplinary context. Many thanks to you, Dr. Alejandro, and to the McMaster University.

I'd spent for 5 years studying TCM & Acupuncture before I joined this course. The whole experience was definitely very positive. I think it's not because I got more knowledge or techniques of acupuncture, it's about the course gave me more inspiration of how to treat the pain more effectively. Indeed, I found I really fixed the pain very quickly as well as more confident.

Training is from top-notch instructors and practitioners in their respected fields, which provided a broad spectrum of knowledge for assessment combined with “pinpoint ” accuracy in acupuncture education.

The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program helped me to further fine-tune my understanding of the nervous system pathways and their important role in treatment and rehabilitation settings. The course with it's practical and in-class portions was key to a full understanding of acupuncture and ensured that we as students got to experience and see the full effects.

This course is, by far, the best course I’ve ever done! I cannot thank everyone at the McMaster Neurofunctional Acupuncture course enough! The approach to this course is exceptional. The lectures lay down the foundation of such a powerful tool and very clearly indicate how NFA is so effective. The instructors have so much knowledge and are so happy to share, yet also have the patience to guide you without overwhelming. Plus, the practical small group sizes give ample opportunity to practice and gain helpful input from instructors. The treatment workshops really showed what NFA ca… Read more

This course is, by far, the best course I’ve ever done! I cannot thank everyone at the McMaster Neurofunctional Acupuncture course enough! The approach to this course is exceptional. The lectures lay down the foundation of such a powerful tool and very clearly indicate how NFA is so effective. The instructors have so much knowledge and are so happy to share, yet also have the patience to guide you without overwhelming. Plus, the practical small group sizes give ample opportunity to practice and gain helpful input from instructors. The treatment workshops really showed what NFA can do and the results were amazing. The admin staff worked tirelessly, ensuring we knew all procedures and schedules ahead of time and were fully equipped with the relevant information, equipment and support. Even during a pandemic, when it was unknown whether the course could even be completed, the NFA team took on the challenge to get us through. All worked relentlessly to make sure we were informed of how the course would be modified, any queries were answered immediately and the content and learning opportunities remained consistent throughout. From online learning seminars and zoom anatomy labs, during the lockdown, to carefully selected small groups for the needling and hands-on portion, this course was, hands down, a game changer to my outlook on anatomy, treatment and my faith in humanity to make things happen for the greater good! I strongly recommend this course. I enjoyed every minute and had far too many ‘wow’ moments to count! Thank you all for such a positive experience!

In my opinion, the contemporary medical acupuncture program at McMaster is of the highest quality. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to add acupuncture to their repertoire. I took the course in the winter of 2023 and it was a great experience all around. The instructors were all great and very knowledgeable. I enjoyed the online lecture components before the hands-on weekends as they set the tone to learn how to needle. I am a chiropractic graduate from CMCC Class of 2023 and intend to make contemporary acupuncture an integral part of my practice style.

The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture course at McMaster helped mold the way I assess and treat patients. From the core course to the advanced functional courses and Sports Assessment Courses, the evolution was natural and progressive. The curriculum is a large part of the practitioner I have become.

I believe it to be essential for any practitioner who desires to treat patients effectively using a functional and/or manual model of therapy.

Dr. Elorriaga made simple the assessment of patients and provided a step by step guide to distinguishing areas of dysfunction within the body. In the Functional Assessment course, I not only learned through assessment techniques but a clearer understanding of what is happening in the body when there is dysfunction.

The McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program has helped me in my practice immensely. The acupuncture theories and skills were taught in a way that was very easy for any health professional to comprehend – I particularly appreciated the emphasis on anatomy and neurology. The instructors also focused on acupuncture as a treatment modality for conditions commonly seen in a Chiropractic office, and this has made a big difference to my patients. I use the skills I learned from this course daily, and it has given me a safe and effective tool with which I can treat my patients.

Neuromuscular acupuncture taught at McMaster helped me to actualize a longtime dream of having the tool of acupuncture in my practice to treat difficult muscular issues for my patients.

Thank you Dr. Elorriaga and Dr. Fargas-Babjak for creating a course that presents acupuncture in the language of basic science. I am always amazed by how many of my patients improve with acupuncture after failing to respond to chiropractic and physiotherapy treatments.

I wanted to say “Thank you” to everybody who organized the “Advanced Functional Assessment of Sports Injuries and other Musculoskeletal Disorders” course and personally to Dr. Alejandro Elorriaga Claraco. The Course is very useful, informative, has a very practical approach and makes to understand that there are no borders to learn and to build up a new experience to be able to be a GOOD HEALTH PROVIDER. Absolutely, I am going to recommend this course to my colleagues and I am looking forward TO the next step in “Advanced Functional …” with Dr. Alejandro. Thank you again.

The McMaster Contemporary Acupuncture Program’s approach to needling is one that makes sense from a neuroanatomical and functional perspective. I have been able to successfully incorporate acupuncture into my daily treatment for several years now since taking the main program. Adding on the practical knowledge and application of the Advanced Neurofunctional Needling Course allows me to treat clients in another dimension and adds to my current acupuncture practice and skill set. The knowledge imparted by Dr. Elorriaga challenges our approach, thought process, and engages one to be… Read more

The McMaster Contemporary Acupuncture Program’s approach to needling is one that makes sense from a neuroanatomical and functional perspective. I have been able to successfully incorporate acupuncture into my daily treatment for several years now since taking the main program. Adding on the practical knowledge and application of the Advanced Neurofunctional Needling Course allows me to treat clients in another dimension and adds to my current acupuncture practice and skill set. The knowledge imparted by Dr. Elorriaga challenges our approach, thought process, and engages one to be a better, more mindful clinician.

Terrific course, I highly recommend it to anyone looking to expand their knowledge or begin Acupuncture career.

The Contemporary Acupuncture Program provides you with the tools to develop neurological roadmaps for treatment protocols. As well, you will develop a paradigm shift in your understanding of pain and dysfunction in such a way that the focus of your treatments will be fine-tuned. This entirely unique modality has greatly increased the efficacy of my treatments, with strategies that I was able to implement straight away. In addition, I am able to address somatic and visceral dysfunction together in one treatment. How cool is that?

The MAC Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program was taught in a practical and clinically relevant way in treating musculoskeletal complaints, yet addressing the often complicating factors of chronicity. Unlike other programs, upon completion, I felt armed and confident using the needling techniques taught. Throughout the program, I have been practicing on friends and family and experiencing tremendous results. I am excited about incorporating contemporary acupuncture into my practice today.

I came as “boy” to Unit 1 and left as a “man” at the end of the course. This is THE MOST important course I’ve taken. It was a game changer for me and the results I’m getting with my patients are beyond what my imagination could create before.

The McMaster Contemporary Acupuncture program has improved every facet of my assessing and treatment protocol. The team challenges you to change your perception of the healthcare field, encouraging constant learning, growth, and self-development. I have incorporated many skills I learned through the program into my practice and it has definitely made me more successful in terms of patient satisfaction and constant referrals.

The McMaster program is a clinically applicable, evidence-based program that is sure to benefit manual practitioners of all disciplines. In our practice, it is a key component in getting our athletes back to competition quickly.

I wish I could take this course every year. The expertise of the instructors and organization skills from the administration is what made this course so excellent. Not only did we learn how to perform acupuncture, but we gained an invaluable amount of knowledge about pain management and how to improve function in the human body.

The practical knowledge is second to none. I'm incredibly pleased with how much this course has added to my treatment plans. Acupuncture has proven to be one of my main go-to treatments, especially in more difficult presentations.

This course allowed me to address the musculoskeletal pathology with a broader paradigm, which certainly will bring me better results in the future.

Dr. Elorriaga is able to simplify and consolidate complex information that clinicians can immediately put into practice. His systematic approach should be utilized in all medical schools for teaching and training purposes. He is an engaging speaker, using real patients to reinforce his message of the importance of determining the cause of the problem and not simply rehabilitating the dysfunction. I highly recommend this course to any healthcare professional. It will make you deeply reflect on how you assess and treat your clients.

The evidence-based information presented has precipitated a dramatic paradigm shift in the way I approach patients with orthopedic injuries and diseases, as well as chronic pain and has awakened my awareness of the connections between the somatic and the visceral systems. Alejandro and Angie are awesome teachers and the neurophysiologic / neuro-anatomic /neuropathic scientific approach (peppered with historic and philosophic pearls for the sake of culture!) rang true for me. Our ability to see the relevant anatomy in the lab on cadaver specimens served to reinforce the concepts … Read more

The evidence-based information presented has precipitated a dramatic paradigm shift in the way I approach patients with orthopedic injuries and diseases, as well as chronic pain and has awakened my awareness of the connections between the somatic and the visceral systems. Alejandro and Angie are awesome teachers and the neurophysiologic / neuro-anatomic /neuropathic scientific approach (peppered with historic and philosophic pearls for the sake of culture!) rang true for me. Our ability to see the relevant anatomy in the lab on cadaver specimens served to reinforce the concepts taught in the classes and workshops and the instructors, both in the labs and in the workshops, were excellent. The mixture of disciplines in the class – MD / DOs, physiotherapists, chiropractors, massage therapists and athletic therapists – greatly enhanced the learning experience. The bottom line – I would recommend this course to anyone in the healthcare industry who is interested to learn and understand more about this unique modality.

Dr. Elorriaga's course was certainly a game changer in my career. I will forever be indebted to him and his amazing faculty for the profound clinical pearls, insight and comprehensive approach to patient care. This course is essential for any and ALL medical professionals invested in providing the best delivery of care!

Fantastic course. Very efficient in its delivery of information.

This course has provided me with additional tools to enable me to be a superior acupuncturist.

The holistic approach to health that the McMaster Acupuncture Program facilitated made a dramatic impact on the way I approach health.

Looking at the whole person, assessment protocol, as well as increased treatment options has made me a better practitioner. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the program.

Going into this acupuncture course, I expected to learn a few acupuncture points, and how to add this treatment to my practice as a physiotherapist. I was pleasantly surprised, however, to take so much more out of this experience than I ever expected. It wasn’t just about learning acupuncture points. I learned a whole new way to look at the pain experience that I had never considered before. I feel that I am much more equipped now to deal with an injury that comes my way. This course also helped me consider more than just the body structures when thinking about an injury. I was r… Read more

Going into this acupuncture course, I expected to learn a few acupuncture points, and how to add this treatment to my practice as a physiotherapist. I was pleasantly surprised, however, to take so much more out of this experience than I ever expected. It wasn’t just about learning acupuncture points. I learned a whole new way to look at the pain experience that I had never considered before. I feel that I am much more equipped now to deal with an injury that comes my way. This course also helped me consider more than just the body structures when thinking about an injury. I was reminded that you must look at the whole person in order to treat patients effectively. The instructors were remarkable. I was impressed on a daily basis as to, not only how intelligent and insightful they were, but also how helpful and approachable they were. I feel very fortunate to have had this experience and to be considered a part of the contemporary acupuncture family. Thank you!

The Advanced Neurofunctional Needling course allows the practitioner to really hone their skills acquired in the main acupuncture program. The small class size provides a unique opportunity for one on one feedback and the needling techniques accompany the assessment techniques. It’s courses like this that allow the good practitioner to become great, and you will likely see improved results almost immediately.

The McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program is simply great! Dr. Elorriaga's approach to needling makes sense from a neuroanatomical and functional perspective.  Clinical sessions and anatomy labs were extremely valuable in enhancing the principles of theoretical classes and developing skills for precise needling techniques.  Also, all instructors at McMaster University are leading experts in this field! I am strongly recommending this course to any manual medicine practitioner!

I have been using acupuncture in my practice daily for more than twelve years. The McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program has given me the tools I've needed to make acupuncture a large part of my practice.

I thoroughly enjoyed the knowledge and skills that were taught at the course. All the instructors were extremely knowledgeable and provided great insights and clinical reasoning as they taught the program. I would suggest this course to anyone wanting to improve their clinical outcomes.

The Dunn Family Chiropractic and Wellness Center was created as an Integrated Healthcare practice that included Soft Tissue/Fascial/Joint Manipulation and Physical Therapy in 1987. The modalities of Classical Acupuncture and Neurology were incorporated in 1989. The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture training from McMaster University in 2017 has not only elevated the level of care that we deliver but has expanded the scope of the practice that allows us to help a broader cross-section of the population. I wish that I could have been exposed to the advanced Neurofunctional sport… Read more

The Dunn Family Chiropractic and Wellness Center was created as an Integrated Healthcare practice that included Soft Tissue/Fascial/Joint Manipulation and Physical Therapy in 1987. The modalities of Classical Acupuncture and Neurology were incorporated in 1989.

The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture training from McMaster University in 2017 has not only elevated the level of care that we deliver but has expanded the scope of the practice that allows us to help a broader cross-section of the population. I wish that I could have been exposed to the advanced Neurofunctional sports Performance Acupuncture training twenty years ago.

As an acupuncture intern trained in traditional Chinese medicine concepts, I approach patients who present with musculoskeletal pain according to diagnostic and treatment principles of Ying and Yang, stagnation of Qi & Blood, Five-Phase (Zang-Fu Organ) Theory, Six Levels, and Bi-Syndromes – all of which have a basis in medical paradigms developed over 2000-3000 years ago. I enrolled in the McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program to learn how to integrate evidence-based bio-western medical approaches into my practice – primarily to provide even more effective treatment… Read more

As an acupuncture intern trained in traditional Chinese medicine concepts, I approach patients who present with musculoskeletal pain according to diagnostic and treatment principles of Ying and Yang, stagnation of Qi & Blood, Five-Phase (Zang-Fu Organ) Theory, Six Levels, and Bi-Syndromes – all of which have a basis in medical paradigms developed over 2000-3000 years ago. I enrolled in the McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program to learn how to integrate evidence-based bio-western medical approaches into my practice – primarily to provide even more effective treatments to my patients, but also to be able to better explain my diagnostic and treatment strategies in a more common functional language that is perhaps more widely understood by patients and by other health-care practitioners. From the program, I have learned more about the neuro-anatomy concepts of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction – and most importantly, how musculoskeletal pain is a multi-dimensional experience that requires a functional integrative therapeutic treatment model that seeks to (i) neuromodulate activity of the autonomic and somatic nervous systems, (ii) restore soft-tissue tensional integrity and adaptability, and (iii) restore articular/joint function. The program has been an effective combination of theoretical and practical training – with perhaps the most valuable component for me being the time spent in the university’s cadaver lab reviewing the neurovascular and soft tissue anatomical structures which are the targets of the practitioner’s acupuncture needles and soft-tissue manipulation. I like the way the program’s modular training units are designed such that immediately following a weekend training session I could very quickly incorporate new treatment approaches and protocols into my practice.

After my first week in this course, I had gotten my money's worth.

This course integrates a vast knowledge of information regarding acupuncture and electro-acupuncture. It has both a scientific and clinical approach to dealing with patients. Instructors are well experienced and extremely knowledgeable.

I found the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture course to be an excellent program. The theory and skills I learned have helped me every day in practice. I would highly recommend this course to anyone looking to incorporate acupuncture into their practice in an evidence-based way.

Outstanding experience … a stellar fusion of high-level physical diagnosis with complementary medicine.

Phenomenal course taught by extremely knowledgeable and experienced practitioners from a variety of manual therapy professions. Great education in anatomy, pain and the nervous system. Primarily a hands-on course to develop confidence in assessing the nervous system as well as various needling techniques.

Very good. Well organized.

The course is very well planned, the information is taught in a straightforward manner with a strong focus on the structure and function of all tissues to be treated ie: how and why they do what they do and how to do them accordingly.

The content and presentation of the material allow me to apply acupuncture in a clear and concise manner.

The Contemporary Acupuncture Course changed my practice approach entirely by showing me a whole layer of the human body that we can have a positive effect on.

The course is extremely well organized and every instructor I came across was excellent and possessed a wealth of clinical and personal experience. Not only did I get the certification to use acupuncture in my practice (that I use every day) but the assessments, mindset, and general approach to being a health practitioner have been invaluable and made me a better therapist.

The advanced neurofunctional needling course helped to deepen my understanding, practice and appreciation of the neurofunctional approach. I have no doubt that the course will be impactful immediately and for years to come. Thank You!

After taking the McMaster acupuncture program, my clinical results absolutely skyrocketed. Furthermore, learning the neurofunctional model greatly helped in “mapping” patient dysfunction. Before I was confused, I felt that the other models were not comprehensive. The program gave me a framework to treat which has given me the confidence to treat anything that walks through the door. Lastly, the instructors of the program were fantastic, excellent teachers and now great mentors. I highly recommend getting involved with the program AND the culture with the McMaster acupuncture program.

I had the pleasure of attending Dr. Elorriaga`s advanced assessment course two weeks ago. I am a chiropractor who has been practicing both chiropractic and acupuncture for 14 years. I have been utilizing the contemporary medical acupuncture approach for approximately 10 years. I am very happy the program offered this advanced training opportunity. I have had tremendous fun at the office in the last two weeks since returning. I have put a powerful array of new observational and palpatory techniques into play that has allowed me to easily discover neurological and adaptive dysfunctio… Read more

I had the pleasure of attending Dr. Elorriaga`s advanced assessment course two weeks ago. I am a chiropractor who has been practicing both chiropractic and acupuncture for 14 years. I have been utilizing the contemporary medical acupuncture approach for approximately 10 years. I am very happy the program offered this advanced training opportunity. I have had tremendous fun at the office in the last two weeks since returning. I have put a powerful array of new observational and palpatory techniques into play that has allowed me to easily discover neurological and adaptive dysfunction from head to toe (literally). There is real meaning in this new exploration of the body. I have easily incorporated my acupuncture skills and applied them to very specific deficiencies and dysfunctions that only now I can actually see and recognize. I recommend this course to anyone who wants to have a more in-depth, practical, working knowledge of the body.

The McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program provides a modern medical interpretation of an age-old treatment modality, helping to explain some of the mysticism associated with traditional acupuncture. The integration of acupuncture with modern neurophysiological concepts, neuroanatomy, functional assessment and evidence-based protocols provided me with a wealth of practical knowledge that could be immediately integrated into my practice with astonishing results. The clarity, content, and presentation of the curriculum, as well as the faculty, are second to none. Classr… Read more

The McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program provides a modern medical interpretation of an age-old treatment modality, helping to explain some of the mysticism associated with traditional acupuncture. The integration of acupuncture with modern neurophysiological concepts, neuroanatomy, functional assessment and evidence-based protocols provided me with a wealth of practical knowledge that could be immediately integrated into my practice with astonishing results. The clarity, content, and presentation of the curriculum, as well as the faculty, are second to none. Classroom lectures, practical workshops with countless supervised needle insertions and invaluable hands-on anatomy lab instruction created a well-rounded educational experience that left me feeling completely confident in my abilities. I can’t say enough about your program! I will definitely be back for your advanced courses.

What fundamentally changed my clinical approach from this core course are: 1.Treatment Goal: Recovering the Active Daily Living Functions instead of pursuing perfect musculoskeletal structure. 2. Pain: “In the Brain” – Taking Neurological Approach instead of the only treatment of the muscles, neurologic, metabolic, nutritional, and mental as important factors; Process-based model in pain treatment. I am inspirited by Dr. Alejandro’s wonderful client intake and attitude, his wisdom and knowledge, his honesty and braveness, and his logical approach to the treatment. I feel I … Read more

What fundamentally changed my clinical approach from this core course are: 1.Treatment Goal: Recovering the Active Daily Living Functions instead of pursuing perfect musculoskeletal structure. 2. Pain: “In the Brain” – Taking Neurological Approach instead of the only treatment of the muscles, neurologic, metabolic, nutritional, and mental as important factors; Process-based model in pain treatment. I am inspirited by Dr. Alejandro’s wonderful client intake and attitude, his wisdom and knowledge, his honesty and braveness, and his logical approach to the treatment. I feel I am learning a beautiful piece of art and in the process of discovery of the simple truth of the myth. It is so challenging and exciting and enjoying that I will always treasure the time spent in this course. I have to repeat the Philosophical quotes from Dr. Alejandro Elorriaga Claraco: 1. No lazy way. 2. Challenge and question everything before you take it for granted, and that is your learning. 3. What is a basic component of the personal success? feeling a peace of mind; ability to enjoy and guilt-free; enjoy of wellbeing.

I wanted to ensure that I took the time to write this brief letter, congratulating all of you on putting together one the finest postgraduate courses I have had the privilege to attend. The program was highly informative, extremely well organized and executed wonderfully. The theory and practical components were relevant not only in relation to each other but for any healthcare professional looking to expand their horizons and ability to serve their patients. Every instructor was well prepared and took the necessary time and effort to provide information and guidance to those stude… Read more

I wanted to ensure that I took the time to write this brief letter, congratulating all of you on putting together one the finest postgraduate courses I have had the privilege to attend. The program was highly informative, extremely well organized and executed wonderfully. The theory and practical components were relevant not only in relation to each other but for any healthcare professional looking to expand their horizons and ability to serve their patients. Every instructor was well prepared and took the necessary time and effort to provide information and guidance to those students who asked or needed additional help. Each went above and beyond my expectations. Although the course was intense in its very nature with copious amounts of information to assimilate in what can be considered a brief amount of time, there was never a weekend that I did not feel motivated and anxious to attend this learning experience. I would like to take a moment to single out Alex on his superior skills as a teacher and lecturer. Never did I leave one of his presentations without feeling that I had been gifted with information and insights that I would carry with me my entire career. His intelligence and devotion to his field make him a mentor to everyone he interacts with. “Be, Do, Have”. Once again I extend my thanks and wish all of you the very best in the future.

The theory I learned in this course has changed the way I practice. It has provided me with an entirely new and effective framework for assessing and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders which is more comprehensive and integrated compared to what I learned in school.

The Advanced Needling Techniques workshops provided many hours of hands-on practice supervised by Dr. Elorriaga. There was ample time to effectively practice needling the neuro-reactive sites. The gross anatomy lab was well organized with small groups of students at each workstation. There was sufficient time to examine and palpate the structures that helped to reinforce the anatomy knowledge required in the needling workshop practice. The syllabus that Dr. Elorriaga prepared is a work of art and is clinically useful in displaying the anatomical structures and needling sites. Anoth… Read more

The Advanced Needling Techniques workshops provided many hours of hands-on practice supervised by Dr. Elorriaga. There was ample time to effectively practice needling the neuro-reactive sites. The gross anatomy lab was well organized with small groups of students at each workstation. There was sufficient time to examine and palpate the structures that helped to reinforce the anatomy knowledge required in the needling workshop practice. The syllabus that Dr. Elorriaga prepared is a work of art and is clinically useful in displaying the anatomical structures and needling sites. Another excellent workshop developed by Dr. Elorriaga.

This course exceeded my expectations. I believe that I received the most advanced acupuncture training being offered today, provided by a team of instructors that bring a wealth of technical and practical knowledge to the program. I also appreciate feeling that I am part of a broader community of practitioners that continues to provide support, education, and advocacy.

This course is not only about learning how to do acupuncture, though you definitely do; the emphasis is on learning to assess and treat the nervous system with your hands. Dr. Elorriaga masterfully demonstrates time and again that “pain is in the brain,” but can be accessed and influenced through the peripheral nervous system. By using electro-acupuncture along nerve paths rather than traditional meridians, you can “talk” to nerves in their language and achieve unbelievable results. This may be the answer to all those elusive patients whom you have been unable to help in th… Read more

This course is not only about learning how to do acupuncture, though you definitely do; the emphasis is on learning to assess and treat the nervous system with your hands. Dr. Elorriaga masterfully demonstrates time and again that “pain is in the brain,” but can be accessed and influenced through the peripheral nervous system. By using electro-acupuncture along nerve paths rather than traditional meridians, you can “talk” to nerves in their language and achieve unbelievable results. This may be the answer to all those elusive patients whom you have been unable to help in the past. If you are a manual practitioner, you must take this course!

Fantastic course, efficient use of time. Learned a lot and would recommend the course to others. Thanks for everything!

Very effective learning of needling technique and how to incorporate into practice.

This course has advanced my understanding of both acupuncture, functional analysis, assessment, and treatment of conditions from simple to complex. It's been a game-changing experience for me, and has guided my clinical practice in a beneficial way.

I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in acupuncture. Dr. Elorriaga Claraco’s lectures are very insightful and his in-class case studies and treatments show the effectiveness of this approach to acupuncture. The course content is practical. No fluff or fillers. I was amazed by how much I was able to learn in such a relatively short time.

The Neurofunctional (Contemporary Medical) Acupuncture program at McMaster continues to be one of the most useful systems of treatment that I've encountered. The beauty of the system is in it's recognition of the Nervous System as the driver of all function and the genius of the system is to map out the Traditional Chinese Acupuncture points to the nerve pathways. My thought process has been transformed and my results are exponentially improved.

After being in practice for 8 years I found the approach presented by Dr. Elorriaga towards patient care to be refreshing and gave me more tools to utilize in practice. After taking the McMaster program I feel confident that my clinical skills and ability to care for patients are improved. The number of hands-on training and instructor to student ratio allowed for enhanced learning. I have taken other acupuncture courses and found by far Dr. Elorriaga’s program to be more in-depth and useful for daily practice.

I really value the knowledge gained from this course. Contemporary acupuncture is a great tool I use often to treat my clients with great success!

I found McMaster’s Contemporary Medical Acupuncture for Health Professionals course to revolutionize the way I look at pain from musculoskeletal origins. Dr. Elorriaga’s ability to explain the way the body PERCEIVES pain & how we can affect the pain pathway is like nothing I was exposed to throughout my schooling. His passion comes out in his lectures. A great course for both veteran clinicians & new grads.

One of the best decisions I have made to improve my clinical practice. I have utilized acupuncture in my daily practice and am grateful to have learned from some of the best.

The perfect paradigm to use in a chiropractic practice to take your practice and patient outcomes to the next level.

The McMaster Contemporary Acupuncture Program is an integral piece in my continued development within the healthcare spectrum. All the courses offered to teach individual practitioners invaluable skills and how to treat neuropathic pain based on an anatomical platform. My success is directly linked to this program and its teachings. I would recommend to any entry level graduate to take this course as it will assist, tremendously, in bridging the gap between anatomy and treatment.

I highly recommend McMaster’s Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program. It is thoroughly grounded in science and evidence and has provided me with an important tool to get more positive results in my practice.

Very worthwhile, excellent learning experience and stimulating.

Alejandro, I just wanted to thank you, because after taking the advanced courses, I feel 100 times more confident in my assessment and treatment approach, and the consistent, lasting and amazingly efficient results for patients is remarkable (and I thought what I was doing before was above average because it was still better then most practitioners, but I realize that what I was doing was average and maybe most practitioners are below average). As I go back and study the nuances of functional anatomy with each patient, I’m also better able to put things in clinical context, so wh… Read more

Alejandro, I just wanted to thank you, because after taking the advanced courses, I feel 100 times more confident in my assessment and treatment approach, and the consistent, lasting and amazingly efficient results for patients is remarkable (and I thought what I was doing before was above average because it was still better then most practitioners, but I realize that what I was doing was average and maybe most practitioners are below average). As I go back and study the nuances of functional anatomy with each patient, I’m also better able to put things in clinical context, so what I’ve learnt from you is continuously giving back to me because i’m thinking about things from a true neurofunctional understanding. So thanks again for sharing your knowledge and experience, I feel very grateful. I look forward to further growth in this approach and process!

Great Course! It changed my practice for much better outcome!

It was an eye-opener for me. I believe in RMT’s Contemporary Acupuncture (CA) is a better choice because it speaks our language (trigger points, nerve path, etc.). All other courses treat locally only, however, CA approaches the situation not only locally but also segmentally and extra segmentally. Instructors are highly informed and willing to share their knowledge. Thanks everyone.

An excellent adjunct to my medical training, by learning how to treat the whole person from a system-based functional perspective.

The McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture course has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of how to provide focused treatment and get excellent results. It has truly been a career-altering experience to participate in such a wonderful course. The instructors were exceptional. I highly recommend this course at any point in your career.

The Contemporary Acupuncture course was a very deep experience. It gave me a completely new paradigm and inspired me to work with the body in a more functional and integrated way. It taught me how to think outside of the box and how to look at the anatomy and neurology under a new lens. It was a practice-changing experience.

Excellent theoretical/practical information.

The courses are taught by a perfect combination of healthcare professionals with vast experiences in acupuncture treatments. They will provide you with a strong basis to deliver effective acupuncture treatments specific to your type of practice. The variety of professionals will open your eyes to many new possibilities in evaluation and treatment. This course has improved the way I assess and treat patients in all ways possible. I would highly recommend this course to any professional that has the privilege to take it.

"You'd be hard-pressed to find a better CE course than McMaster's Contemporary Medical Acupuncture. The teaching staff were amazing and offered a lot of one-on-one or small group demonstrations to better the hands-on needling practice. Staff also provided incredible live cases with athletes and patients allowing a look as to what a history, neurofunctional assessment, and treatment is like in real time. Even with the limitations that a COVID environment gave, the course really refines your anatomy, nerve pathways, and understanding of human health.

I initially thought that I had just signed up for another acupuncture course, but this turned out to be a program that offered a renewed understanding of patient presentations and a cutting-edge clinical approach. With philosophies that challenge conventional thinking added to a line-up of impressive instructors, this course has been eye-opening and inspirational. I left each unit with a heightened sense of how I may start to bring about greater change in my practice. Although I have had previous acupuncture training, only since I began taking this course did my patients consistent… Read more

I initially thought that I had just signed up for another acupuncture course, but this turned out to be a program that offered a renewed understanding of patient presentations and a cutting-edge clinical approach. With philosophies that challenge conventional thinking added to a line-up of impressive instructors, this course has been eye-opening and inspirational. I left each unit with a heightened sense of how I may start to bring about greater change in my practice. Although I have had previous acupuncture training, only since I began taking this course did my patients consistently experience a dramatic improvement in their outcomes from acupuncture. This program has been pivotal to my career.

Learning from Dr. Elorriaga is an incredible privilege as he shares masterful anatomical insights that have assisted me in all aspects of my assessing and treating of clients. The neurofunctional approach to acupuncture has truly revolutionized the way I see and treat the body and I am forever grateful.

The most informative, clinically relevant and organized program I have taken. Would highly recommend to anyone who wants to add to their arsenal when treating neuromusculoskeletal disorder as well as functional disorders.

I first became interested in Acupuncture after attending a CME seminar on Complementary and Alternative Medicine. I was even invited by the speaker at the conference, who also happens to be a vascular surgeon, to be personally trained at his clinic in Hong Kong. I selected the McMaster course after an exhaustive Internet search of available training programs in North America, Europe, and Far East. I strongly considered going to China to learn at the source. I settled on the McMaster program primarily for it’s a) Modular approach, b) Emphasis on neuro-biology and pathophysiology, … Read more

I first became interested in Acupuncture after attending a CME seminar on Complementary and Alternative Medicine. I was even invited by the speaker at the conference, who also happens to be a vascular surgeon, to be personally trained at his clinic in Hong Kong. I selected the McMaster course after an exhaustive Internet search of available training programs in North America, Europe, and Far East. I strongly considered going to China to learn at the source. I settled on the McMaster program primarily for it’s a) Modular approach, b) Emphasis on neuro-biology and pathophysiology, c) integration of focused workshops with lectures; and d) scheduling (mostly weekends). For the students who are trained in ‘Western’ health care, the course as it is taught in terms of neuro-anatomy is much easier to understand compared to the traditional approach. As a general internist, I see the applicability of acupuncture as an adjunct treatment for treatment of conditions far beyond what is traditionally accepted in western medical culture (i.e: musculoskeletal disorders). In fact, I have several patients that are willing to try acupuncture for conditions such as fibromyalgia, diabetes, and migraine headaches. As acupuncture becomes more accepted, I expect (or wish) it be a medical sub-specialty.

The neuro-functional model of MSK medicine presented by Dr. Elorriaga is definitively ahead of the present time. The three prongs approach of assessment combining segmental, arthokinematics and soft tissue tensegrity examination can really facilitate the identification of system dysfunction. With this network system thought process, the clinician can then truly address the dysfunction of the MSK system instead of solely working on the symptomatic care. With live case demonstrations, the utilization of the neuro-functional assessment is vividly presented to the participants of the course.

At this stage of my career, I judge the quality and value of a course on if it was worth it to travel away from my practice and family and to sustain lost income from days out of the office. I would jump at the opportunity to do both again enthusiastically. The contemporary neuro-functional approach is stimulating and appealing. Alex is a gifted teacher and thinker in the field of manual medicine. Anyone looking to become an elite provider should not hesitate to take this course. Thank you Alex and Angie!

This was a phenomenal course!

Applying the principles of the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program has equipped me with the tools for better outcomes for my patients. It is an amazing "blueprint" to be an effective practitioner. The course does a great job of blending Eastern Medicine concepts into Western Medicine principles.

This course provided the framework for how I practice every day and has given me the tools to confidently help anyone who comes into my practice. I found this course so beneficial that I am currently in the middle of taking the advanced program to further my knowledge and skill set.

I couldn’t let another day go by without conveying my thoughts regarding the CMA Core course. The material was presented in a very organized fashion. The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture approach is comprehensive, scientifically grounded in evidence-based medicine – and as such – is very applicable in the clinical setting in which I work, i.e. office-based musculoskeletal medicine. The combination of instruction in the gross anatomy lab at the McMaster University Medical School, with classroom lectures emphasizing relevant neuro-anatomy, was extremely valuable. The comp… Read more

I couldn’t let another day go by without conveying my thoughts regarding the CMA Core course. The material was presented in a very organized fashion. The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture approach is comprehensive, scientifically grounded in evidence-based medicine – and as such – is very applicable in the clinical setting in which I work, i.e. office-based musculoskeletal medicine. The combination of instruction in the gross anatomy lab at the McMaster University Medical School, with classroom lectures emphasizing relevant neuro-anatomy, was extremely valuable. The computer-generated visuals in class were very helpful; I continue to use this tool daily in my own work. The content of the lectures was interesting and engaging, exploring a wide range of topics, from the neuro-anatomical to education in the multi-disciplinary approach that treating pain – especially chronic pain – requires. The material presented was, again, very applicable to the day-to-day practice of medical acupuncture. The five syllabi and workshop materials gave us at each of the Core Modules were well organized and useful. Each syllabus contained up to ten relevant articles on acupuncture from the medical literature. I found this very helpful. Each module featured clinical workshops with live patients undergoing evaluation and treatment by Dr. Elorriaga. He teaches a ‘hands-on’ – ‘get-results-now’ approach to medical acupuncture utilizing his deep understanding and knowledge of neuro-anatomy, medical physiology, and functional musculoskeletal medicine. As an anesthesiologist with many years of practice and research in the field of medical acupuncture, Dr. Babjak brings to bear a wealth of experience and knowledge to the application of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic pain. Drs. Elorriaga and Fargas-Babjak are assisted by a cadre of able instructors – physicians, chiropractors and physical therapists – who are clearly dedicated and – to a person – demonstrate an impressive knowledge of the material. Each instructor took pains to assure that each of the students understood what was being taught both in the lecture/classroom as well as in the clinical workshops. In summary, the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Core Program is a comprehensive, well-organized, practical and extremely useful course for any provider working in the clinical areas of Musculoskeletal or Pain Medicine. Without hesitation, I can say that it is the most valuable acupuncture training in which I have participated.

At Hamilton Health Sciences Hospital the patient’s wellbeing is a priority, not only through conventional medicine but in all spectrums of medical technique. Medical acupuncture brings an alternative to patients to achieve relief from common illnesses and could be used as a single treatment or as a coadjutant for medical conditions that under-conventional medicine has no improvement. The medical Acupuncture weight of evidence makes us confident in the many uses of this centennial knowledge.

I was so surprised while taking this course to find so many new ways to see acupuncture. I came into the program thinking that I wouldn't learn anything new ( just like going to conferences and having the same thing over and over) The instructors and support staff were very knowledgeable and compassionate. I would recommend this program to anyone.

First off, I want to thank you for what was easily the best continuing education course I have taken since graduating in 2008. I have taken numerous CEU courses, from FR to ART, and this easily has the most educational and clinical value. From the knowledgeable and caring instructors to the well-organized administration staff, the course was a pure joy and has definitely sparked my interest to continue my education and training in both acupuncture and my original craft. I highly recommend this course to any practitioner looking to improve their clinical skills and give them an edge… Read more

First off, I want to thank you for what was easily the best continuing education course I have taken since graduating in 2008. I have taken numerous CEU courses, from FR to ART, and this easily has the most educational and clinical value. From the knowledgeable and caring instructors to the well-organized administration staff, the course was a pure joy and has definitely sparked my interest to continue my education and training in both acupuncture and my original craft. I highly recommend this course to any practitioner looking to improve their clinical skills and give them an edge in a competitive market.

An excellent adjunct therapy that is effective. The neurophysiology and anatomy explain how acupuncture is extremely effective.

To all my past students at the chiropractic college, I would like to say that, no matter how long you have been in practice you owe it to yourself to take this amazing course. Not only will you be challenged in ways you never thought possible, you will learn not only a new technique but a new approach to practice and diagnosis. Your patients will greatly benefit, especially your most challenging ones. This is a course that is well organized, expertly taught and presented in a way that I can assure you will enable you to achieve greater success.

The Contemporary Acupuncture Course at McMaster provided me with the most relevant and practical medical information out of all the courses I have attended in 13 years of post-secondary education. The instructing team delivers a high-value course and the structure is geared toward retention of the material.

The McMaster acupuncture course has improved my ability as a manual therapist substantially. The course built upon and enhanced all of my knowledge and experience working with the human body, providing me with an exceptional framework for navigating physical dysfunction. Since implementing the neuro-functional approach to assessment and treatment, I have seen accelerated healing outcomes and outstanding results in my patients. Taking this program was one of the best choices I have ever made and elevated my ability to get people results with their health substantially.  Having u… Read more

The McMaster acupuncture course has improved my ability as a manual therapist substantially. The course built upon and enhanced all of my knowledge and experience working with the human body, providing me with an exceptional framework for navigating physical dysfunction. Since implementing the neuro-functional approach to assessment and treatment, I have seen accelerated healing outcomes and outstanding results in my patients. Taking this program was one of the best choices I have ever made and elevated my ability to get people results with their health substantially.  Having used it for the past few months I cannot put it in words just how many I have not only introduced to the practice but changed their lives.  It is so direct and so efficient for achieving health goals. Highly recommended!

The neurofunctional acupuncture course taught me the skills I needed to competently use acupuncture to treat a whole host of conditions. The focus on anatomy was particularly impressive and useful in my learning. Would highly recommend the course!

I have been attending the Contemporary Acupuncture courses since 2006. As a physician who was already practicing acupuncture, I have found that these courses have provided me with the scientific background that I needed in practicing in a hospital setting. The courses have taught me the anatomical relevance of the neuro-reactive sites in relationship to musculoskeletal anatomy, function, and disorders. Using the theories of neuromodulation lends credibility about acupuncture when conversing with other physicians at work. My needling skill confidence rose dramatically after learn… Read more

I have been attending the Contemporary Acupuncture courses since 2006. As a physician who was already practicing acupuncture, I have found that these courses have provided me with the scientific background that I needed in practicing in a hospital setting. The courses have taught me the anatomical relevance of the neuro-reactive sites in relationship to musculoskeletal anatomy, function, and disorders. Using the theories of neuromodulation lends credibility about acupuncture when conversing with other physicians at work. My needling skill confidence rose dramatically after learning new needling techniques at the workshops. Dr. Elorriaga’s enthusiasm for teaching and his remarkable knowledge of neuroanatomy, musculoskeletal anatomy, and function makes him an excellent lecturer. His lectures are concise, relevant, and updated with the most recent scientific articles regarding acupuncture and neuroplasticity. The needling workshops and anatomy labs are superior to any other courses I have taken. The trained preceptors that guide the workshops are actively treating musculoskeletal dysfunction in their practices and are using acupuncture in their own practices daily. A team approach is used to guide the student to better assessment skills in evaluating MSK issues and in perfecting the needling technique. Physicians with varied backgrounds of practice and knowledge of anatomy and MSK dysfunction will find this a comfortable learning situation. The Contemporary Acupuncture program is well organized. The reading material and homework is relevant to the learning of acupuncture and to the clinical applications of acupuncture in the physician's practice. I would recommend this program of training to any physician who is serious about wanting to gain knowledge and clinical skills to use acupuncture successfully in their practice.

I was given an extremely thorough instructional course with plenty of hands-on skills portion to ensure confidence in performing acupuncture. The instructors were invaluable and provided excellent training.

Loved the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Course – it has been so valuable in my practice!

I’ve been an RMT for 26 years and was looking for a modality to introduce into my practice that would enable me to be a more effective therapist, while easing the strain on my body. The McMaster Contemporary Acupuncture course was highly recommended to me by my RMT who took it about 10 years ago, and since finishing the course a month ago, I have highly recommended it to several RMT friends. I found the administrative staff to be friendly and always quick to help, and I found all instructors to be knowledgeable and helpful. I met lots of great peers, some of whom I've stayed in t… Read more

I’ve been an RMT for 26 years and was looking for a modality to introduce into my practice that would enable me to be a more effective therapist, while easing the strain on my body. The McMaster Contemporary Acupuncture course was highly recommended to me by my RMT who took it about 10 years ago, and since finishing the course a month ago, I have highly recommended it to several RMT friends. I found the administrative staff to be friendly and always quick to help, and I found all instructors to be knowledgeable and helpful. I met lots of great peers, some of whom I've stayed in touch with and continue to bounce ideas off. It was overall a great experience and I wish I had done it 10 years ago!  

Taking the Neurofunctional Acupuncture Course at McMaster University with Dr. Alejandro Elorriaga completely molded my practice into what it is. This course inspired me to read more, ask more questions of myself which ultimately had a positive effect on the delivery of care to all my patients. I have recommended this educational experience to all my associates who join #TeamTHI as a prerequisite to working at The Health Institute.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the entire course and I feel it has changed my practice as well as my personal life. All the instructors have been extremely helpful and have so much valuable knowledge. Thank you for a very rewarding experience.

This course deepened my understanding of acupuncture points that produce a significant change in the body. I’ve been out of the course a couple of days and I have noticed a dramatic improvement in the treatment of my patients. I’m more confident and sure of needling.

A wonderful course! It gives a fresh perspective on treatment, assessment, and overall patient management! I really enjoyed the structure of the course, the hands-on training, and the anatomy refresher. Well worth it for professionals in health care and patient management!

The McMaster contemporary acupuncture course is hands down the most comprehensive and fundamentally applicable course I have taken. Immediately this course has helped me paint better clinical pictures from assessment to treatment ultimately achieving better results and patient buy-in.

Taking the McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program took my skill set to the next level. Definitely worth the investment for a practitioner's professional development.

Since taking the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program in 2010, my Massage Therapy practice has expanded into a model of highly effective treatment combined with an informative patient explanation. I’ve stopped chasing the patient’s pain and now work within the neuro-functional model. Patients are the ones who ultimately benefit, as they now understand their pain and the blueprint I am using to treat it. When you invest in the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture education to help your patients and progress your career, the dividends are paid daily.

After receiving my contemporary medical acupuncture certification, I feel that my assessment skills are much more practical and that I now have an effective method for treating the nervous system.

Since taking the McMaster Contemporary Acupuncture Program & especially the advanced courses, I have gained invaluable skills for treating my patients. My success with treatments has provided me with a large referral base, as doctors and previous patients continue to refer clients based on my results.

I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to take his course so early in my career. Dr. Elorriaga’s clinical pearls and method of functional assessment has changed the way I practice. From the moment I started implementing just a few things I learned, I saw the results. The live real patient case studies were one of my favorite parts of the course. I would highly recommend this course to each and every manual health practitioner.

The McMaster acupuncture course was an excellent way to refresh anatomy knowledge, as well as add a great modality to treating MSK conditions that may not respond to traditional chiropractic care.

I am a chiropractor currently practicing in Toronto and Orillia. I had the pleasure of taking the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program in 2015. After completing the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program, my approach to clinical practice changed quite significantly. My clinical model shifted from a reductionist model to a more holistic model, striving to improve overall function and health. This clinical mindset has been the foundation for how I assess and manage patients. I have found the versatility and effectiveness of the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture model allow fo… Read more

I am a chiropractor currently practicing in Toronto and Orillia. I had the pleasure of taking the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program in 2015. After completing the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program, my approach to clinical practice changed quite significantly. My clinical model shifted from a reductionist model to a more holistic model, striving to improve overall function and health. This clinical mindset has been the foundation for how I assess and manage patients. I have found the versatility and effectiveness of the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture model allow for countless management strategies and has become critical in my clinical practice. The team of instructors for the program is a dynamic group of professionals across many health care disciplines. They have done a wonderful job in teaching the science behind contemporary medical acupuncture as well as guiding the students with practical applications. While I also use a variety of techniques in my practice, I believe that acupuncture is one of the most powerful techniques we can use to help patients achieve optimal health of their neuromusculoskeletal systems. I highly recommend this course for any health care professional!

When I came to Canada the last thing I expected was a whole acupuncture course up and running alongside conventional medical practice. In England, acupuncture courses are the initial foundation course followed by the intermediate courses. In the foundation course, you get a taste of acupuncture. The McMaster Modular Course is more intense and extensive, a deeper understanding of acupuncture is attained which helps when dealing with different case scenarios and the hands-on workshops enable us to improve on needling techniques. Having come to Canada to do a “Pain Fellowship” for… Read more

When I came to Canada the last thing I expected was a whole acupuncture course up and running alongside conventional medical practice. In England, acupuncture courses are the initial foundation course followed by the intermediate courses. In the foundation course, you get a taste of acupuncture. The McMaster Modular Course is more intense and extensive, a deeper understanding of acupuncture is attained which helps when dealing with different case scenarios and the hands-on workshops enable us to improve on needling techniques. Having come to Canada to do a “Pain Fellowship” for a year the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Course will help me to provide another modality of treatment for my patients. I hope to administer acupuncture where indicated and follow up on their progress. I would definitely recommend this course to my colleagues because acupuncture can be applied to so many different conditions with success. It is safe and the best part is that you avoid the side effects of medications. With acupuncture, you aim to treat the cause of the problem.

Very engaging! I appreciate the hands-on practical approach and the obvious way these skills will dramatically enhance my practice.

I thoroughly enjoyed the course for its clinical reasoning and anatomical overview as how acupuncture can be used as an adjunct when considering the interwoven complexity of neurological, vascular and musculoskeletal structures. The course does a great job at including a variety of different allied health professionals helping to standardize an approach to health care while being resourceful to leverage different perspectives stemming to a patient. I would recommend this course as you gain knowledge helping you critically analyze your own (evolving) practice.

The Advanced Needling course teaches you the most precise and clinically efficient needling techniques which can be easily implemented with your patients. The well-planned combination of lectures, intensive practical workshops, live patient case presentations, and viewing of cadaver specimens will make this one of the most enjoyable and comprehensive weekend courses you will ever take.

Since taking the McMaster Contemporary Acupuncture course I have produced better results in treating musculoskeletal dysfunctions. I now use acupuncture for over 80% of my patients with over 95% of my patients showing marked improvements in just a few treatments. I would recommend this course to any therapist who wants to produce the best outcomes for their patients as they can.

Essential for all practitioners of acupuncture, a wealth of information, fabulous practical component.

Acupuncture has become a large component of my treatment protocol. With the addition of acupuncture, along with the traditional adjustment and soft tissue therapy, I am able to treat more conditions and see greater results in less time. Thank you for offering us such a valuable course!

I would highly recommend this course to any health care practitioner! I took both the main and the advanced course concurrently and it has totally changed the way I look at the body. I have become much more holistic in my practice and have a much greater understanding of both the nervous and fascial system. It has allowed me to get patients better quicker and has significantly increased my caseload as a result. Could not be more thankful that I took this course.

This course has changed my practice and I cannot imagine practicing without it. Worth every penny.

The McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture course has been invaluable to me in my practice. I use the knowledge and techniques that I have learned in the courses every day in my office, and my patients continue to benefit from my ongoing learning. I cannot speak more highly of the instruction and guidance that I have received over the years and will continue to seek out more advanced training as I grow my practice. Any practitioner would be wise to seek out such a high standard of instruction. Thank you!!

The McMaster acupuncture course provided me with the additional treatment and assessment skills I needed as a new graduate chiropractor to feel confident in practice.

The addition of acupuncture to my tool belt has increased my efficacy as a clinician.

As a graduate of the McMaster course, I would recommend this course as a must for all modern health practitioners to begin any Acupuncture studying. Well presented and organized, clinically relevant and very practical, this course can quickly and effectively be applied and used as an extraordinary tool in any medical practice. This course is a blessing for our patients. Thank you.

As a graduate of the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program over 10 years ago, I was amazed at the course content and attention to detail back then…. and with the advanced course, Alejandro has built on the sophistication of his craft. Extremely clinician-friendly with techniques that produce immediate results.

Definitively the most influential and professional course that I have attended in my career.

Well organized, very cutting edge & hands-on; excellent instructors.

Contemporary medical acupuncture has helped many of my patients and is a tool I use on a daily basis.

The course was a stimulating, well-integrated medical education experience that conveyed an extremely valuable contemporary approach to the functional assessment of the neuromusculoskeletal system. Through live case demonstrations, hands-on sessions, and high yield lectures, Dr. Elorriaga teaches a very useful clinical methodology in a fun, dynamic workshop.

The Advanced Neurofunctional Needling Technique course was a great follow-up after the Advanced Functional MSK Assessment course, as it completes the assessment and treatment process of contemporary medical acupuncture. With a review of the functional assessment, the utilization of needling to target various neurofunctional inputs was presented. In addition, as a participant, the opportunity to have Dr. Elorriaga to directly supervise the lab session and to review anatomical structures with cadavers was invaluable.

The course deepened my knowledge and experience of acupuncture and helped me to enhance my practice by introducing me to the use of electro-acupuncture, a valuable technique that enhances the benefits of treatment.

As a graduate of both the UCLA course and the McMaster course, I would recommend this course overwhelmingly to any physician as their initial experience in learning acupuncture… Because of the magnitude and unfamiliarity of the material, learning acupuncture can be an overwhelming experience. This course was exceptionally well organized, which made the material manageable. The course had a very practical and systematic approach which makes sense to physicians.

The Advanced Functional Assessment Course met all of the objectives and more. It becomes very clear from this course that assessment is treatment. This unique course provided me with clarity and clinical reasoning that improved my clinical results immediately and laid the foundation for me to refine my assessment and treatment for years to come.

The Contemporary acupuncture course has given me a system for not only assessing musculoskeletal injury and dysfunction but also a great treatment protocol. The instructors are fantastic and the course is well organized and a pleasure to follow. Dr Alex’s enthusiasm for teaching is obvious as the course allows you to think about dysfunction in a whole different light. I would encourage any practitioner who wants to incorporate a system of acupuncture into their practice to attend.

I am a chiropractor in practice for 6 years. I had an interest in acupuncture while attending Chiropractic College so I took our school course as an elective. In the first three years of practice, I used acupuncture on roughly 5% of patients. Then I took the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture course at McMaster and my use of acupuncture increased to 50% of patients. I became significantly more confident when needling patients. My knowledge of anatomy and needlepoint location increased tremendously. The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Course offers a nice balance of “hands-on”… Read more

I am a chiropractor in practice for 6 years. I had an interest in acupuncture while attending Chiropractic College so I took our school course as an elective. In the first three years of practice, I used acupuncture on roughly 5% of patients. Then I took the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture course at McMaster and my use of acupuncture increased to 50% of patients. I became significantly more confident when needling patients. My knowledge of anatomy and needlepoint location increased tremendously. The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Course offers a nice balance of “hands-on” needling, in-class lectures and anatomy lab review with actual cadavers. I use what I have learned at the Mac course on a daily basis and it was very easy to perform these new techniques on my patients, with better treatment results compared to when I began using acupuncture 6 years ago. If you are going to incorporate acupuncture into your practice then the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Course at McMaster is definitely the course to take!!

The McMaster Contemporary Acupuncture program was one of the best things I did for my practice. I learned a lot and have used the techniques taught to help patients who may not be ideal candidates for chiropractic treatments. This gives me another approach or “tool” to help my patients. The instructors were very knowledgeable and I would recommend this course to anyone.

The McMaster Acupuncture program was fun and prepared me very well for the practice of acupuncture in the clinic. The amount of background information, demonstrations and time spent practicing were second to none.

The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture course at McMaster University offers a dynamic and comprehensive foundation for practitioners seeking to incorporate acupuncture into their scope of patient care. The functional and highly anatomical driven instruction by a wide range of accomplished and accessible instructors is the emphasis of this course. Dr. Alejandro Elorriaga, MD (course director) challenges each and every student to seek these foundations and takes a sincere interest in each student’s individual progress. The well-organized and systematic course format provides the body… Read more

The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture course at McMaster University offers a dynamic and comprehensive foundation for practitioners seeking to incorporate acupuncture into their scope of patient care. The functional and highly anatomical driven instruction by a wide range of accomplished and accessible instructors is the emphasis of this course. Dr. Alejandro Elorriaga, MD (course director) challenges each and every student to seek these foundations and takes a sincere interest in each student’s individual progress. The well-organized and systematic course format provides the body system lectures, theories, current research, hands-on laboratories, and interaction with students from a wide array of other healthcare disciplines. The course provided me with the foundation and course material resources to learn and apply new aspects of functional anatomy and applications of Contemporary Medical Acupuncture in patient care every day. Most importantly, I have added a new and dynamic modality that I was quickly able to utilize to really help my patients.

The Advanced Functional MSK Assessment and the Advanced Neurofunctional Needling courses were wonderful and amazing. I will practice new methods of approach (Neurofunctional approach) and I will add those new learned techniques to my toolbox. I recommend both these courses to those who want to understand the concept of traumatic and non-traumatic injuries and practitioners who work with athletes. I want to thank Dr. Alejandro Elorriaga Claraco for his excellent teaching methods.

I find that this course allows more people to learn acupuncture very easily.

Not only is the contemporary medical acupuncture course a wise investment, but a modality that I will be integrating into my practice for years to come. Alejandro teaches a practical neurofunctional approach that instills the necessary knowledge to successfully practice the art and science of acupuncture in any modern healthcare setting. The results are proven and the interactive tutorials allow for optimal engagement and learning. This course will serve as the perfect adjunct to my Chiropractic practice.

The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program was awe inspiring. It is what people would call a game changer with regard that it takes old paradigms and ways of assessing and treating patients on its head. This program was not just about putting needles in people’s bodies, it was finding a reason for why we select different acupuncture inputs backed by a blend of scientific and anecdotal evidence and practice. It was well organized and the energy surrounding the material was motivating and invigorating. The instructors were all fantastic and all had a passion for the system and th… Read more

The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program was awe inspiring. It is what people would call a game changer with regard that it takes old paradigms and ways of assessing and treating patients on its head. This program was not just about putting needles in people’s bodies, it was finding a reason for why we select different acupuncture inputs backed by a blend of scientific and anecdotal evidence and practice. It was well organized and the energy surrounding the material was motivating and invigorating. The instructors were all fantastic and all had a passion for the system and the health field. I highly recommend any and all courses taught by Dr. Elorriaga as he brings over 30 years experience of medicine into his teachings and practice.

The science behind acupuncture will add clarity to tradition. This course represents the potential of what health care in this country should aspire to. An integrated, multidisciplinary, co-operative effort focused on the needs of the patient and their wellbeing. Thank you for creating this opportunity.

Great course to whoever wants to have the knowledge to help their patients.

As a recent Graduate from CMCC, my career as a chiropractor is ahead of me. This course has provided me with ample confidence and skills to make a difference to my potential patients.

The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program has been a great learning experience, it has broadened my skills and practice in many ways. The knowledge of the practitioners was astonishing and I am happy to see the program flourish through the years.

Very useful and practical. It gives you an avenue to enhance the treatments of your patients.

The McMaster Contemporary Acupuncture Program is an excellent course involving superb teaching using research based on the anatomy and physiology behind the use of acupuncture. I have been able to immediately apply this teaching to my practice for both musculoskeletal injuries and acquired brain injury. It is a superior asset I am delighted to have. The courses offered to teach individual practitioners valuable skills that produce enhanced results in the treatments of neuropathic pain. The small groups, anatomy labs, and excellent staff make this course one that would benefit all p… Read more

The McMaster Contemporary Acupuncture Program is an excellent course involving superb teaching using research based on the anatomy and physiology behind the use of acupuncture. I have been able to immediately apply this teaching to my practice for both musculoskeletal injuries and acquired brain injury. It is a superior asset I am delighted to have. The courses offered to teach individual practitioners valuable skills that produce enhanced results in the treatments of neuropathic pain. The small groups, anatomy labs, and excellent staff make this course one that would benefit all practitioners. I would recommend to all graduates to take this course.

This course gave me the necessary knowledge to expand my perspective about healing & soft tissue pathology. With this knowledge, I can now be a more precise therapist with a bigger bag to handle whatever comes through the door.

Great! Helped me to reaffirm a holistic model of care.

I continue to learn and develop as a practitioner to better serve my patients. The skills and insight I have gained from the Advanced Needling Course and the Advanced Functional Assessment Course are invaluable to my continued success. The methodology of treatment is based on a sound framework of accurate functional assessment, a clear understanding of past and present illness, and a fundamental understanding of anatomical, neurological, metabolic, and physiologic mechanisms. Using the information gained allows for rational decision making and application of treatment with the most… Read more

I continue to learn and develop as a practitioner to better serve my patients. The skills and insight I have gained from the Advanced Needling Course and the Advanced Functional Assessment Course are invaluable to my continued success. The methodology of treatment is based on a sound framework of accurate functional assessment, a clear understanding of past and present illness, and a fundamental understanding of anatomical, neurological, metabolic, and physiologic mechanisms. Using the information gained allows for rational decision making and application of treatment with the most optimal gains for the patient. When working with elite athletes, there is no room for in concise irrational treatment, only precise timely results. These skills allow me to achieve results faster and with permanent long-lasting impact.

McMaster provided me with the invaluable skills & knowledge to assist my patients/ clients. I enjoyed the wide spectrum of participants at McMaster Contemporary Acupuncture Program, mentors as well as students.

Great – exceeded my expectations. I really liked the combination of anatomy lab and practical needling workshop.

This course has been well taught and well received. The information can be applied very quickly and effectively into chiropractic practice. It is a must for every senior practitioner in modern health care.

I had an incredible experience with the Program, It was an amazing review and I would highly recommend it.

Contemporary Acupuncture is the course that brings all the basic sciences and professional training in clinical practice in a way that makes sense and produces results. For anyone wanting to move forward in medical and manual therapy practice, this course is the one that will bring you at the forefront of modern medicine and manual therapy.

My fellow graduates of this course who are chiropractors, RMTs and PTs have expressed that their past acupuncture training based on esoteric acupuncture concepts such as Qi and meridians to be very confusing and therefore hindered their ability to integrate acupuncture therapy with their previous biomedical based training. For them, the McMaster neurofunctional approach to acupuncture “make sense” and builds seamlessly on their existing knowledge of anatomy and neurology, thus enabling them to help their patients in a coherent and theoretically consistent fashion. For me, as a … Read more

My fellow graduates of this course who are chiropractors, RMTs and PTs have expressed that their past acupuncture training based on esoteric acupuncture concepts such as Qi and meridians to be very confusing and therefore hindered their ability to integrate acupuncture therapy with their previous biomedical based training. For them, the McMaster neurofunctional approach to acupuncture “make sense” and builds seamlessly on their existing knowledge of anatomy and neurology, thus enabling them to help their patients in a coherent and theoretically consistent fashion. For me, as a licensed acupuncturist originally trained from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, this course delivered the hard scientific explanation that I wanted to be able to provide to my patients. The anatomy labs allowed me to improve my weakness in anatomy and be able to see acupuncture points as 3-dimensional structures. Fellow TCM acupuncturists who take this course will be all the more amazed by how traditional pseudo-scientific practitioners could develop an art that can be perfectively explained by the most modern scientific understanding of neurology, nociception and neuro-immune endocrinology that are all taught in this course. The value of this course is the understanding of the neuromuscular relevance of traditional acupuncture points. With this understanding, each point can be needled differently, at different angles and different depth to affect different muscles, nerves, trigger points and etc. Suddenly you have just quadrupled the number of tools you have in your tool belt. By understanding the neuroanatomy, you are able to think outside the point, you can create your own acupuncture points to solve any clinical problem. The highlight of the course is the multiple live clinical theatres with real patients that help you see how the course material is integrated into actual practice. Dr. Elorriaga will amaze you as he performs miracles with every patient during their first session, time after time. I am reminded that this is a kind of acupuncture that I set out to learn but never got in TCM school. Dr. Elorriaga and his team of instructors, representing all walks of the healthcare profession, were all extremely well trained in the practice and dissemination of the methodologies they teach. Fellow TCM acupuncturist, who never took this course, often ask me whether this course teaches things they already know. My answer: this course will teach you things you only thought you knew, and build confidence in the things that you didn’t even know existed.

Best continuing education course I have ever attended. Not only has this helped me with my own history of sports concussions, it has changed my patients lives!!! Everyone from the Instructors down to the details on how the course is ran is a 11/10 in my book. If I could inspire all practitioners to take this course I would a million x over.

Thorough, comprehensive and very hands on. Clinical tools are taught that can be used in your office Monday morning!

Taking the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program has been transformative for my practice as a naprapath. The course offered deep insights into neurophysiology and effective pain management, enhancing my approach to treating musculoskeletal disorders. It has provided me with precise techniques that integrate seamlessly into my existing treatments, offering immediate relief and improved recovery outcomes for my patients. This course was a true eye-opener, expanding my capabilities and enriching my understanding of patient care. I highly recommend it to any healthcare professional … Read more

Taking the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program has been transformative for my practice as a naprapath. The course offered deep insights into neurophysiology and effective pain management, enhancing my approach to treating musculoskeletal disorders. It has provided me with precise techniques that integrate seamlessly into my existing treatments, offering immediate relief and improved recovery outcomes for my patients. This course was a true eye-opener, expanding my capabilities and enriching my understanding of patient care. I highly recommend it to any healthcare professional looking to elevate their practice.

As a former acupuncture student and now a Registered Massage Therapist, I can genuinely say that the Neurofunctional Acupuncture Course at McMaster University has been life-changing. From the moment I began the course, I knew it was going to profoundly impact both my professional and personal life. The curriculum was incredibly comprehensive, blending theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical experience, which allowed me to develop a deep understanding of neurofunctional acupuncture. Since completing the course, I have seamlessly incorporated this amazing skill into my daily… Read more

As a former acupuncture student and now a Registered Massage Therapist, I can genuinely say that the Neurofunctional Acupuncture Course at McMaster University has been life-changing. From the moment I began the course, I knew it was going to profoundly impact both my professional and personal life. The curriculum was incredibly comprehensive, blending theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical experience, which allowed me to develop a deep understanding of neurofunctional acupuncture. Since completing the course, I have seamlessly incorporated this amazing skill into my daily practice. The results have been nothing short of outstanding. My patients experience quicker and more effective relief from their conditions, whether it be chronic pain, muscle tension, or stress-related issues. The ability to target specific neurofunctional points has revolutionized the way I approach treatment, making my sessions more efficient and impactful. What truly sets the Neurofunctional Acupuncture Course apart is the quality of instruction and the support provided throughout the learning process. The instructors are not only experts in their field but also passionate about teaching and guiding students to success. Their dedication ensured that I left the program feeling confident and fully equipped to integrate neurofunctional acupuncture into my practice. I cannot recommend the Neurofunctional Acupuncture Course at McMaster University highly enough. It has been a game-changer for my career, enabling me to provide a higher level of care to my patients and see tangible improvements in their health and well-being. If you are considering advancing your skills and making a significant impact in your practice, this course is an absolute must.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the contemporary medical acupuncture course for all of your help. You have given me many new insights into health and patient management which will serve to help both myself and my patients.

The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture course was a terrific learning experience, with hands-on practical knowledge that I use proficiently in my everyday private practice. I would recommend it to all Doctors of Chiropractic.

The course really improved my knowledge of anatomy, my palpation skills and provided me with some new and powerful needling techniques.

This course was exactly what I had been looking for – it was challenging, motivating and interactive. I was able to implement new skills and concepts learned immediately after the first unit and two years later I am still evolving and expanding my treatments combining acupuncture and massage therapy. Best of all, graduates have access to ongoing support and feedback from clinical instructors and staff, which I have found to be priceless.

All the teachers were amazingly informative and extremely helpful. They would answer all questions and help with any problems you may have. I’m blessed and thankful that I have gotten to take this course and add it to my toolbox. The results are amazing! Thank you!

In my opinion, this course was a bargain for the wealth of practical techniques that you get out of this 3-day weekend course. I am a New York State licensed acupuncturist, have been studying TCM and Japanese style acupuncture for many years. After I took the McMaster Contemporary Acupuncture course last year, my fascination and knowledge of acupuncture have tripled. This advanced course builds on the skills taught in the regular course, by expanding on articular, motor point and nerve branch needling techniques. For me, the greatest value of this course was the integration of palp… Read more

In my opinion, this course was a bargain for the wealth of practical techniques that you get out of this 3-day weekend course. I am a New York State licensed acupuncturist, have been studying TCM and Japanese style acupuncture for many years. After I took the McMaster Contemporary Acupuncture course last year, my fascination and knowledge of acupuncture have tripled. This advanced course builds on the skills taught in the regular course, by expanding on articular, motor point and nerve branch needling techniques. For me, the greatest value of this course was the integration of palpations skills, anatomy, and the surgical precision in needling skills. If you can master the material taught in this advanced needling course, there is no doubt in my mind that you will be among the top 1% of acupuncturists practicing not just in the west, but even in China. Another thing I liked about this course was the small class size that allowed Dr. Elorriaga to give each student personal instruction in palpation, point location, and needle technique. The biggest clinical value to me is the skills acquired in needling motor points and nerve branches, to be able to bring about instant improvement in your patient’s dysfunction. Many of the other attendees told me that they have waited many years for this advanced needling course. So, don’t wait, the return on investment for this course is going to be HUGE.

An excellent course that provided information I could immediately put to use with my patients. This course has allowed me to provide more comprehensive and integrative care in my practice.

Truly amazing course – instructors knowledgeable, stimulating and easy to learn from. Very well organized including clerical staff. All my learning goals were achieved. Best course I ever did, thank-you to everybody involved.

The CMA course was an excellent, concise and very clinically useful introduction to acupuncture. The techniques and philosophies are easily integrated into almost any practice or style. I highly recommend the course to other physicians. Excellent course for physicians who would like to incorporate acupuncture with a solid scientific basis.

The education received is thorough and attentive to details. It has widened my approach to MSK treatment in my clinic. I very much enjoyed the course.

Great course for a chiropractor student, due to the highly integrative nature of the information taught.

Completely changed the way I see and treat my patients. I took both the Contemporary Acupuncture and Advanced acupuncture course together and I would highly recommend both of these course to anyone.

This course not only made me comfortable with acupuncture but also took my anatomy knowledge to the next level. I have seen amazing results with the medical acupuncture approach and I am very happy to add this extremely useful tool into my toolbox.

Hands down one of the best courses that I have ever taken. Provided a new aspect in how I assess and treat my patients. Grateful for the opportunity to take this course.

This course provided me with a much-needed, alternate understanding of the functional underpinning of human pain and motor patterning. By learning to diagnose clinically as relates to the brain and nervous system, rather than an overly simplified structural approach, I have improved my ability to make meaningful change for my patients in their treatments and outcomes. Furthermore, it opened me up to worlds of ideas for future continuing educational pursuits.

The Contemporary Acupuncture course at McMaster is the present and future to the therapeutic care of patients. Its neuromechanical approach provides a great understanding of the functioning of the body and how to care for it.

Finally, an evidence-based and physiology based acupuncture course!

I would like to congratulate McMaster University for the initiative of providing education on Contemporary Medical Acupuncture in such a high level.

The Advanced Functional Assessment course provides a totally unique approach to not only neuromusculoskeletal assessment, but the entire concept of movement disorders and MSK clinical entities. Dr. Elorriaga’s approach combines functional anatomy, functional palpation and general movement and orthopedic analysis to assess and treat the entire body as a biological structure, not just a specific pain presentation. I would highly recommend this course to anyone in the field of manual medicine.

The McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program provides today’s health care practitioner with treatment skills they can immediately employ in their busy practice. The course design takes an age-old paradigm and applies it to Western society’s understanding of human anatomy and physiology. This allows for seamless integration of evidence-based acupuncture with any other modern treatment modality. In my practice, the concomitant application of acupuncture with manipulation and soft tissue techniques has led to an unparalleled improvement in patient outcomes. This, in turn,… Read more

The McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program provides today’s health care practitioner with treatment skills they can immediately employ in their busy practice. The course design takes an age-old paradigm and applies it to Western society’s understanding of human anatomy and physiology. This allows for seamless integration of evidence-based acupuncture with any other modern treatment modality. In my practice, the concomitant application of acupuncture with manipulation and soft tissue techniques has led to an unparalleled improvement in patient outcomes. This, in turn, has led to greater patient satisfaction and contributed to personal fulfillment in my commitment to improved patient health. I would encourage health professionals from many different backgrounds to explore the benefits of acupuncture through the McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program.

I’m an Argentinian medical doctor, and I have been practicing acupuncture for years when I noticed about this course. I took part in it and I can say that it is the best way to learn acupuncture, suitable to our occidental way of thinking, very practical, and reliable. I need to say thank for all you gave us your kindness and your friendship.

Very clinically useful with concise, functional information you can use immediately in practice.

The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Course at McMaster University met and surpassed my expectations. The program and all the instructors involved helped to make the experience so well-rounded. We have plenty of hands-on learning both with needling workshops as well as in the anatomy cadaver labs; countless real-life case presentations that were interactive and included a round of acupuncture treatment. The book materials were and are still incredibly helpful as I transition into practice. The 5 weekends spread out really do help the learning process and enable participants to full… Read more

The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Course at McMaster University met and surpassed my expectations. The program and all the instructors involved helped to make the experience so well-rounded. We have plenty of hands-on learning both with needling workshops as well as in the anatomy cadaver labs; countless real-life case presentations that were interactive and included a round of acupuncture treatment. The book materials were and are still incredibly helpful as I transition into practice. The 5 weekends spread out really do help the learning process and enable participants to fully absorb and learn to use/apply the information. Great course, cannot wait to use it and help others!

The Neurofunctional (Contemporary Medical) Acupuncture program at McMaster continues to be one of the most useful systems of treatment that I've encountered. The beauty of the system is in its recognition of the Nervous System as the driver of all function and the genius of the system is to map out the Traditional Chinese Acupuncture points to the nerve pathways. My thought process has been transformed and my results are exponentially improved.

Dr. Elorriaga developed a painless model of neurofunctional needling based on modern sciences of neurophysiology and anatomy giving a place to quickly and effectively diagnose and treat musculoskeletal dysfunctions.

For any of you who may be thinking “I’m too old to take on this educational load” or “I’m close enough to retirement that I can just cruise the next few years without any new challenge”, you may be right. But, if you are looking for a little excitement as well as an antidote for staving off the obvious cerebral manifestations of the onset of maturity, this acupuncture program will stimulate your heart as well as your synapses. The teachers and assistants were each professional, personally invested in their time and talents and sincerely caring in their efforts to share … Read more

For any of you who may be thinking “I’m too old to take on this educational load” or “I’m close enough to retirement that I can just cruise the next few years without any new challenge”, you may be right. But, if you are looking for a little excitement as well as an antidote for staving off the obvious cerebral manifestations of the onset of maturity, this acupuncture program will stimulate your heart as well as your synapses. The teachers and assistants were each professional, personally invested in their time and talents and sincerely caring in their efforts to share in their success secrets. Make no mistake, there is a cost with regard to finances and family sacrifices, but the personal reward of achievement has made it pale in comparison for all parties. Go for it!

The Medical Acupuncture course was an integral part of my training and becoming a skilled practitioner.

Acupuncture is very effective in treating a variety of painful disorders, both acute and chronic. When I do acupuncture and massage therapy together my clients say its magic.

By far the best decision I ever made! The course not only provided me with a new therapeutic skill, but I also walked away with a true understanding of the anatomy. As an RMT, I often found myself referring clients to other health professionals when I couldn`t get the results I was looking for with soft tissue therapies. I won`t be referring anymore. I now have the knowledge and the ability to tackle each individual issue that walks through my door and I`m getting stunning results. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and I look forward to attending an advanced course in the near future.

The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program instructed by Dr. Alejandro Elorriaga Claraco has transformed my practice over the past decade. What a strong tool, taught in a comprehensive fashion, that has given maximal results to patients.

Being a chiropractor and traditionally trained acupuncturist, I had a special appreciation for this course. It provided an organized, condensed and directly applicable approach with a contemporary neuroanatomical approach, appreciate as a chiropractor. This course not only made me a better acupuncturist but also a better doctor.

Having had the good fortune to take the course Dr. Alejandro Elorriaga lectured in Oporto back in 2005, I always had the desire to perfect my training. Going to Hamilton 8 times during the past two years was the perfect way to do this. I now feel much more confident in my practice, and all of my patients benefit greatly from it. Even when I´m not performing acupuncture treatments, all the knowledge that I was introduced to during the core training and the advanced programs has helped me become a much better physiatrist. I recommend this program for all doctors, especially those in… Read more

Having had the good fortune to take the course Dr. Alejandro Elorriaga lectured in Oporto back in 2005, I always had the desire to perfect my training. Going to Hamilton 8 times during the past two years was the perfect way to do this. I now feel much more confident in my practice, and all of my patients benefit greatly from it. Even when I´m not performing acupuncture treatments, all the knowledge that I was introduced to during the core training and the advanced programs has helped me become a much better physiatrist. I recommend this program for all doctors, especially those in Sports Medicine, Physical Medicine, Anesthesiologists or anyone performing neuro-physiologic studies. The proficiency handling needles you can get by going through the training process will surely help you be a better physician.

I had taken the McMaster Contemporary Acupuncture Program one year ago and it has completely changed my practice. The program does a fantastic job of teaching core concepts all medical professionals should make time to develop. Everything from what true evidence-based medicine looks like to how to develop one’s individual lens to assess the world through. In conjunction with those skill sets, the teachers deliver clear and safe instruction to develop your acupuncture needling to a high skill level. This program has connected everything that was touched on in massage therapy … Read more

I had taken the McMaster Contemporary Acupuncture Program one year ago and it has completely changed my practice. The program does a fantastic job of teaching core concepts all medical professionals should make time to develop. Everything from what true evidence-based medicine looks like to how to develop one’s individual lens to assess the world through. In conjunction with those skill sets, the teachers deliver clear and safe instruction to develop your acupuncture needling to a high skill level. This program has connected everything that was touched on in massage therapy school and added much more to the overall framework. This was truly an eye-opening experience for me which I am very grateful for.

The contemporary medical acupuncture course has been one of the best courses I have taken so far and I’m so glad to have been a part of it. Learning many techniques for patient care using acupuncture and also for patient assessment has been very beneficial for my patients and has allowed me to further expand my tool base. This has allowed me to be able to treat conditions more effectively and seeing results quicker. I would recommend this course to any chiropractor or physiotherapist who are looking for effective treatments for their patients.

This past weekend (Unit 1) was fantastic! I keep telling myself how fortunate I am to be taking the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture course. Many different professionals studying toward one common goal, these are good times. The program is very well designed and details are outlined so well that one’s own personal responsibility can take over and maximize results. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Fantastic.

I absolutely loved the McMaster Contemporary Acupuncture program and would recommend it to anyone. As a chiropractic intern, I found it was the missing piece in my education that helped pull everything together. The instructors were friendly and knowledgeable and the small group teaching setting was ideal for learning. I found the functional approach fascinating and will continue to take the advanced courses to further my knowledge.

McMaster's Neurofunctional Acupuncture Program is a true blend of the foundation of acupuncture, incorporating science and optimizing the function of the human body. The extensive knowledge and skill taught in this program are second to none!

The McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture course is an excellent complement to an orthopedic manual therapy physical therapy practice. The anatomy and neurophysiology basis for identifying points and designing treatments has fit very well into my practice. I appreciated the comprehensive approach to learning acupuncture and my clients have responded well to this treatment approach.

The McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program provided an in-depth understanding of the neurophysiological and neuroanatomical basis of acupuncture in order to ensure competent practice. The course instructors were extremely helpful, encouraging and knowledgeable. I strongly recommend this program to other practitioners who are considering being trained in acupuncture. This invaluable course has enabled me to practice acupuncture with positive results and high patient satisfaction.

This course was excellent! There was a lot of both theory and a hands-on practical component. We had a wide range of instructors available to us, all with superior knowledge and willingness to be there to help at all times. I left the course feeling extremely confident that I had the skills needed to help my clients and the acupuncture is a perfect compliment to massage therapy and cupping services that I offer as well. I have done further studies in facial acupuncture. I have a well-rounded skills base largely in part to the medical acupuncture program at McMaster! Thank you!

Contemporary Medical Acupuncture is an excellent complement to any physician who is pursuing training in acupuncture and it is an ideal complementary course to the Helms Institute for Medical Acupuncture for Physicians. The focus of CMA on neuroanatomical elements is an invaluable counterpart to the classical Chinese system of acupuncture. As a result of CMA’s approach, I have been enabled to market my acupuncture practice to fellow physicians in western scientific terms, thus furthering the integration of acupuncture into my hospital-based practice with referrals from different … Read more

Contemporary Medical Acupuncture is an excellent complement to any physician who is pursuing training in acupuncture and it is an ideal complementary course to the Helms Institute for Medical Acupuncture for Physicians. The focus of CMA on neuroanatomical elements is an invaluable counterpart to the classical Chinese system of acupuncture. As a result of CMA’s approach, I have been enabled to market my acupuncture practice to fellow physicians in western scientific terms, thus furthering the integration of acupuncture into my hospital-based practice with referrals from different medical specialties.

Truly one of the best acupuncture courses filled with extensive knowledge and clinical pearls. This course motivates you to really understand your anatomy and think critically when it comes to treating your patients. Highly recommended!

The course provides an excellent explanation of the scientific basis for acupuncture.

Contemporary Medical Acupuncture has become an integrated component of my treatments for both Professional Athletes and the average patient. The McMaster CMA course has provided me with an amazing tool to speed the recovery of my patients.

This is the most valuable training I have had for understanding and treating neuropathic pain. As my skill in this technique has improved, so have the effectiveness & outcomes of my treatments.

I can, with confidence, say that my clinical and practice success to date is directly attributable to the knowledge and training received via the McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program.

Dr, Elorriaga has complete anatomical, neurological and bio/psycho/social understanding of acupuncture, the patient and their pain, while at the same time has the ability to teach novice clinicians.

This is one program, director and staff, that comes around once in a generation. I am very grateful for the program.

Well organized, good variety of learning styles and teaching.

The Advanced Functional Assessment course has given me key concepts and clinical techniques that will allow me to advance my clinical experience exponentially. I have not found a course to be so enlightening and inspiring, getting the opportunity to train with an expert like Dr. Alejandro is invaluable.

Very comprehensive and pertinent for healthcare practitioners. I highly recommend the McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture course.

The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Course at McMaster University offered me a great evidence-based program in which to learn acupuncture. I love being able to offer my patients an additional tool to help treat a variety of conditions and look forward to following up with the range of continuing education programs that are being offered.