UBC Faculty of Medicine CPD Certification Course for Medical Doctors and Physiotherapists
This is an intramuscular dry needling course that goes beyond trigger point dry needling. Gunn IMS is a total system for the diagnosis and treatment of persistent myofascial pain syndromes, including muscle, joint, tendon, bursal, fascial, neural and biomechanical problems. The approach is based on a neuropathic model of musculoskeletal dysfunction developed by Dr C. Chan Gunn and described in his book “The Gunn Approach to the Treatment of Chronic Pain”. His conceptual framework explains patterns of physical findings commonly seen in persistent myofascial pain syndromes and has been commended by many physicians practising in the field of chronic pain including John D. Loeser, Stephen Butler and Anders E. Sola. Patrick D. Wall describes Dr Gunn’s approach as being, “in the best of the traditions of classical medicine”.
Dr Gunn has endowed UBC with the responsibility for the ongoing teaching of the Gunn IMS model of treatment – a teaching program that has run continuously since 1994. Since 2013, the Gunn IMS Program has been part of the UBC Faculty of Medicine and is now located in the Chan Gunn Pavilion on the UBC Vancouver campus. The course is coordinated by UBC Faculty of Medicine ‘s Continuing Professional Development Division, which has certified and granted the course 38 Mainpro+® credits for physicians. All course proceeds are used to support program development and research in Gunn IMS.
The program’s focus is on the safe, effective management of neuropathic musculoskeletal problems, using intramuscular dry needling and related postural and rehabilitative concepts. The application of the model requires an advanced level of clinical reasoning and pattern recognition, mature clinical judgement, extensive anatomical knowledge and precise palpation skills. For this reason, the prerequisites for attending this course include a minimum of four years experience treating musculoskeletal conditions.
Dr Gunn has endowed UBC with the responsibility for the ongoing teaching of the Gunn IMS model of treatment – a teaching program that has run continuously since 1994. Since 2013, the Gunn IMS Program has been part of the UBC Faculty of Medicine and is now located in the Chan Gunn Pavilion on the UBC Vancouver campus. The course is coordinated by UBC Faculty of Medicine ‘s Continuing Professional Development Division, which has certified and granted the course 38 Mainpro+® credits for physicians. All course proceeds are used to support program development and research in Gunn IMS.
The program’s focus is on the safe, effective management of neuropathic musculoskeletal problems, using intramuscular dry needling and related postural and rehabilitative concepts. The application of the model requires an advanced level of clinical reasoning and pattern recognition, mature clinical judgement, extensive anatomical knowledge and precise palpation skills. For this reason, the prerequisites for attending this course include a minimum of four years experience treating musculoskeletal conditions.
Format
Gunn IMS training consists of three parts:
On successful completion of all parts of the program, participants will be awarded certification in UBC Gunn IMS by the UBC Faculty of Medicine. The course will cover education regarding Dr Gunn’s neuropathic model of myofascial pain syndromes, the effects of dry needling, and contraindications and safety considerations for dry needling (including avoiding serious complications). You will learn how to conduct and interpret an assessment based on the neuropathic model to determine the cause of myofascial pain syndromes, which can then be used to devise a treatment plan using the Gunn IMS model. You will also learn to safely and effectively dry needle muscles of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine; shoulder and pelvic girdles; upper and lower limbs as well as muscles surrounding the TMJ. As the course progresses you will improve your clinical reasoning related to the application of the neuropathic model of treatment.
- Part 1A - self-paced and completed online.
- Part 1B - two in-person practical training days.
- Part 2 - two further in-person practical training days (held approximately six weeks after Part 1).
On successful completion of all parts of the program, participants will be awarded certification in UBC Gunn IMS by the UBC Faculty of Medicine. The course will cover education regarding Dr Gunn’s neuropathic model of myofascial pain syndromes, the effects of dry needling, and contraindications and safety considerations for dry needling (including avoiding serious complications). You will learn how to conduct and interpret an assessment based on the neuropathic model to determine the cause of myofascial pain syndromes, which can then be used to devise a treatment plan using the Gunn IMS model. You will also learn to safely and effectively dry needle muscles of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine; shoulder and pelvic girdles; upper and lower limbs as well as muscles surrounding the TMJ. As the course progresses you will improve your clinical reasoning related to the application of the neuropathic model of treatment.
Prerequisites and Requirements
Physicians and physiotherapists wishing to register for the UBC Gunn IMS course must provide the following in advance of course attendance and practicum:
1. Copy of your degree.
2. Proof of registration:
a. For applicants based in Canada: with your provincial licensing body of current practice
b. For applicants based outside Canada: with your local licensing body of current practice
3. Proof of Malpractice Insurance up to $3 million per occurrence, EFFECTIVE IN CANADA.
For applicants from outside Canada who require insurance in Canada, insurance is available:
a. For physicians: from the Canadian Medical Protection Association, the national insurer for all Canadian Physicians (https://www.cmpa-acpm.ca). The Canadian Medical Protection Association will cover foreign physicians as long as they are eligible for registration in Canada. The minimum length of coverage is two months. They can be contacted at 1-800-267-6522 (in Ottawa area: 613-725-2000) or https://www.cmpa-acpm.ca/en/connect/contact-us
b. For physiotherapists: from the BMS group: https://www.cpa.bmsgroup.com/coverage-options.html. They can be contacted at 1-855-318-6136 or cpa.insurance@bmsgroup.com.
PLEASE NOTE THE APPLICATION FOR INSURANCE BY PRACTITIONERS FROM OUTSIDE CANADA WILL REQUIRE TEMPORARY/COURTESY REGISTRATION IN THE PROVINCE IN WHICH THE COURSE YOU ATTEND IS HELD. THIS IS A LENGTHY PROCESS. PLEASE ALLOW AT LEAST FOUR MONTHS FOR THIS IN YOUR APPLICATION PROCESS.
PHYSIOTHERAPISTS MUST ALSO PROVIDE #4 AND #5 (not required from physicians):
4. Professional experience: Proof of 4 years musculoskeletal and/or neuromuscular physiotherapy clinical experience treating patients post-licensure ( i.e. not including student placements).
Please provide a letter from your employer(s) confirming this clinical experience. Letters must come directly from the employer with whom you gained this clinical experience. References need to be on the workplace letterhead, signed by the workplace owner/director/supervisor; must state that the caseload was musculoskeletal or neurological, and must contain the typical number of weekly hours worked and employment start and end dates (if applicable).
Note: the 4 year period must be 4 years full time clinical experience. For example, 4 years part time will not meet the prerequisite 4 years clinical experience.
5. ONE of the following (a. or b.):
a. Eligible dry needling training:
i) Acupuncture Canada CAFCI designation (completion of the Level I courses Parts 1, 2A & 3A /A1, A2, A3 program and examinations),
ii) Acupuncture Canada ACC designation – Level I (i.e. completion of both the AA1 and AA2 courses and the associated Level I Examination),
iii) Certificate of Medical Acupuncture, Medical Acupuncture Program (MAP), under the Division of Continuous Professional Learning, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (University of Alberta),
iv) McMaster University Contemporary Acupuncture Program, or
v) Other dry needling training - may be accepted as meeting the prerequisite standard. Please submit evidence of your training for consideration.
b. Eligible post-graduate musculoskeletal training:
i) Level 3 (upper and lower) of the Intermediate Diploma of Manual Therapy certified by the Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA),
ii) UBC Graduate Certificate in Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapy (GCOMPT), or
iii) Other musculoskeletal post-graduate training - may be accepted as meeting the prerequisite standard. Please submit evidence of your training for consideration.
1. Copy of your degree.
2. Proof of registration:
a. For applicants based in Canada: with your provincial licensing body of current practice
b. For applicants based outside Canada: with your local licensing body of current practice
3. Proof of Malpractice Insurance up to $3 million per occurrence, EFFECTIVE IN CANADA.
For applicants from outside Canada who require insurance in Canada, insurance is available:
a. For physicians: from the Canadian Medical Protection Association, the national insurer for all Canadian Physicians (https://www.cmpa-acpm.ca). The Canadian Medical Protection Association will cover foreign physicians as long as they are eligible for registration in Canada. The minimum length of coverage is two months. They can be contacted at 1-800-267-6522 (in Ottawa area: 613-725-2000) or https://www.cmpa-acpm.ca/en/connect/contact-us
b. For physiotherapists: from the BMS group: https://www.cpa.bmsgroup.com/coverage-options.html. They can be contacted at 1-855-318-6136 or cpa.insurance@bmsgroup.com.
PLEASE NOTE THE APPLICATION FOR INSURANCE BY PRACTITIONERS FROM OUTSIDE CANADA WILL REQUIRE TEMPORARY/COURTESY REGISTRATION IN THE PROVINCE IN WHICH THE COURSE YOU ATTEND IS HELD. THIS IS A LENGTHY PROCESS. PLEASE ALLOW AT LEAST FOUR MONTHS FOR THIS IN YOUR APPLICATION PROCESS.
PHYSIOTHERAPISTS MUST ALSO PROVIDE #4 AND #5 (not required from physicians):
4. Professional experience: Proof of 4 years musculoskeletal and/or neuromuscular physiotherapy clinical experience treating patients post-licensure ( i.e. not including student placements).
Please provide a letter from your employer(s) confirming this clinical experience. Letters must come directly from the employer with whom you gained this clinical experience. References need to be on the workplace letterhead, signed by the workplace owner/director/supervisor; must state that the caseload was musculoskeletal or neurological, and must contain the typical number of weekly hours worked and employment start and end dates (if applicable).
Note: the 4 year period must be 4 years full time clinical experience. For example, 4 years part time will not meet the prerequisite 4 years clinical experience.
5. ONE of the following (a. or b.):
a. Eligible dry needling training:
i) Acupuncture Canada CAFCI designation (completion of the Level I courses Parts 1, 2A & 3A /A1, A2, A3 program and examinations),
ii) Acupuncture Canada ACC designation – Level I (i.e. completion of both the AA1 and AA2 courses and the associated Level I Examination),
iii) Certificate of Medical Acupuncture, Medical Acupuncture Program (MAP), under the Division of Continuous Professional Learning, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (University of Alberta),
iv) McMaster University Contemporary Acupuncture Program, or
v) Other dry needling training - may be accepted as meeting the prerequisite standard. Please submit evidence of your training for consideration.
b. Eligible post-graduate musculoskeletal training:
i) Level 3 (upper and lower) of the Intermediate Diploma of Manual Therapy certified by the Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA),
ii) UBC Graduate Certificate in Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapy (GCOMPT), or
iii) Other musculoskeletal post-graduate training - may be accepted as meeting the prerequisite standard. Please submit evidence of your training for consideration.
Note to Female Participants
Female participants who are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant should rather consider registering for another course (post-partum) because pregnancy is contra-indicated for IMS. Because of the small groups you work in during both Part 1 and Part 2, having an uneven group because one of the participants are pregnant (and therefore cannot participate fully) is not conducive to the learning experience.
Registration Procedure
1. Please use the online application form to send us all of your required documentation.
2. Please prepare your documents well in advance of the course date to ensure your participation and facilitate a smooth registration process.
3. Please note that the cut-off date for registration is usually one (1) month before the start of a course. If you are within this time period please email cpd.info@ubc.ca to find out if applications are still being accepted.
4. The course components consist of theory, physical examination and needle practice labs in which you will be a needle subject; the latter facilitates experiential learning of the physical and autonomic effects of needling. All participants will be expected to be needled and to be subjected to detailed neuro- and musculoskeletal examination. Should you be recovering from surgery, physical trauma, or be engaged in litigation following trauma of any kind you must delay participation on this course until all issues have been resolved. Needling is contraindicated in the presence of acute trauma or within 3 to 6 months following major surgery.
5. All course participants must ensure that their inoculations for Hepatitis B and A are current and you will be required to sign a course waiver. The waiver will be sent to you along with your reminder to pay the balance of your fees approximately one month before the course start date. Your signed waiver MUST be received before the start of the course.
2. Please prepare your documents well in advance of the course date to ensure your participation and facilitate a smooth registration process.
3. Please note that the cut-off date for registration is usually one (1) month before the start of a course. If you are within this time period please email cpd.info@ubc.ca to find out if applications are still being accepted.
4. The course components consist of theory, physical examination and needle practice labs in which you will be a needle subject; the latter facilitates experiential learning of the physical and autonomic effects of needling. All participants will be expected to be needled and to be subjected to detailed neuro- and musculoskeletal examination. Should you be recovering from surgery, physical trauma, or be engaged in litigation following trauma of any kind you must delay participation on this course until all issues have been resolved. Needling is contraindicated in the presence of acute trauma or within 3 to 6 months following major surgery.
5. All course participants must ensure that their inoculations for Hepatitis B and A are current and you will be required to sign a course waiver. The waiver will be sent to you along with your reminder to pay the balance of your fees approximately one month before the course start date. Your signed waiver MUST be received before the start of the course.
Fees and Registration
Student fees are CDN$1125 for Part 1A (Online), CDN$1200 for Part 1B (2 day course), and CDN$1200 for Part 2 (2 day course).
There is no GST/HST charged for Gunn IMS courses. Completion of all parts is required before certification is provided. All training is usually scheduled over a 2-6 months time period.
Once your application is accepted, full payment for your first course is due to hold your place on the course.
Cancellation Policy:
There is no GST/HST charged for Gunn IMS courses. Completion of all parts is required before certification is provided. All training is usually scheduled over a 2-6 months time period.
Once your application is accepted, full payment for your first course is due to hold your place on the course.
Cancellation Policy:
- No refunds or transfers, unless cancellation is received in writing to cpd.info@ubc.ca by 4 weeks prior to course date. A $50 cancellation fee will apply if cancellations are made within 6 weeks prior to the course date. No cancellation fee will apply if cancellations are made more than 6 weeks prior to the course date.
- UBC/CPD will not be responsible for any damages, including costs incurred for scheduled travel or accommodation, or denial of refund, related to cancellation of attendance at any scheduled CPD event/conference that arise because the registrant is unable to travel to the event/conference due to a travel ban or the registrant chooses not to attend due to potential health concerns related to COVID-19. Registrants are encouraged to obtain comprehensive travel insurance to provide protection in these circumstances. Registrants who cancel in accordance with the terms of their event/conference registration will receive a refund as set out in the registration contract.
- Cancellations by the organizers: The Division of Continuing Professional Development reserves the right to cancel an educational program fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the course date. Each registrant will be notified by email, followed by a full refund. The University of British Columbia is not responsible for any costs, including, but not limited to, airline or hotel penalties.
- Should more stringent COVID-19 restrictions be announced by the provincial government, UBC Gunn IMS/UBC CPD reserves the right to cancel an educational program up to the day of the course. If participants have any COVID-19 related symptoms at any point after the 4-week cut-off for Parts 1B and 2, participants will be allowed to transfer to the next available course without penalty.
Certification
To receive certification, students must:
- pass both anatomy and theory written exams
- be deemed by course instructors to have safe and accurate needling technique
Additional details regarding the Part 1A online component of select courses:
- pass both anatomy and theory written exams
- be deemed by course instructors to have safe and accurate needling technique
Additional details regarding the Part 1A online component of select courses:
- Students must have viewed all available teaching sections of Part 1A before attending Part 1B and 2 ie viewed the lectures etc. There is no assessment component to this and so it is in the students’ best interests to review all the material. We will be able to track if they have done this though Canvas.
- Part 1A also includes three assessment components: the Anatomy exam, the Theory exam and a case study submission. All students need to have attempted both exams before attending Part 1B and must have submitted their case study. If they fail any of these assessment components, they will have a second chance to complete them successfully. They will not receive certification until they have successfully completed these assessment components, but they can attend Part 1B (and Part 2).
- Accepted applicants will have a year to complete the program once they have completed Part 1A or Part 1 as applicable.
