Spinal Manipulation Under Anesthesia Training for Physician Assistants

This training caters to MDs, DOs, DMDs, DDS, NPs, RNs and other licensed healthcare professionals. The course is specifically designed for practitioners who have not been trained in spinal manipulation and want to add this nonpharmacologic pain management approach to their practice.

High-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) spinal manipulation is an evidence-based, office-based manual therapy technique that applies a controlled, quick thrust to a specific dysfunctional joint. It is the primary osteopathic approach taught in this course for treating conditions such as sacroiliac dysfunction, lumbar facet syndromes, and disc-related pain that have not responded to conventional treatments.

The course covers treatment of sacroiliac joint dysfunction, palpable somatic dysfunction of the thoracic spine, range of motion loss, lumbar pain, sacrum-related pain, and lower back pain with or without leg pain. Pain sources addressed include muscle spasm and myofascial trigger points, joint lumbar facet degeneration and arthritis, and nerve-related radiculopathies and entrapment.

Yes, these are very safe procedures to perform with no real complications associated with proper training. The course teaches you to identify both relative and absolute contraindications, develop the psychomotor skills to minimize force and amplitude, and use sound clinical reasoning to determine when manipulation is or is not appropriate for each patient.

The Spinal Manipulation Therapies course is a 2-day, 16-hour program (8 hours per day). The format includes didactic instruction on clinical reasoning and evidence-based approaches combined with extensive hands-on practice to develop the technical skills required for safe and effective manipulation delivery.

A board-certified physician expert will teach this course, with other licensed healthcare professionals assisting where needed. The faculty provides direct supervision during hands-on practice to ensure you develop proper technique and biomechanics.

The course covers functional diagnostic testing including seated straight raise, supine straight leg raise, Kemp's Extension Test (rotate and lateral flux), deep tendon reflexes (patellar, Achilles), SI joint testing (Fortin finger test, FABER, SI compression), and muscle testing (hallux, eversion/inversion).

Absolutely. The course specifically covers pricing, packaging, and marketing strategies for incorporating spinal manipulation within your present practice. These procedures require no special equipment and can be performed in a standard office setting, making integration straightforward and cost-effective.

PA participation in MUA depends on state scope of practice, facility credentialing, and the collaborative agreement with the supervising physician. Some PAs perform MUA directly under collaborative arrangements, while others serve as essential team members assisting the primary MUA practitioner. Either role provides valuable ASC-based procedural experience. Empire's certification documents your MUA training for facility credentialing.

MUA certification places you at the absolute top tier of pain management PA credentials. Practices that offer MUA programs actively seek PAs with this training because they can contribute to the most complex interventional cases. This certification opens doors to ASC-based positions, the most prestigious pain management practices, and compensation levels at the peak of the PA profession.

Depending on the practice arrangement, PAs may perform MUA procedures directly, assist the primary practitioner during MUA, manage pre-procedure patient evaluation and preparation, coordinate with anesthesia providers, and oversee post-MUA rehabilitation programs. The comprehensive training covers all aspects of MUA to prepare you for any role within the MUA team structure.

Supervision requirements vary by state. Some states grant PAs full independent practice authority, while others require a supervisory or collaborative agreement with a physician. In most aesthetic and pain management settings, PAs practice with significant clinical autonomy under an established collaborative arrangement. Empire's training equips you with the skills and certification; your specific practice structure depends on your state PA board regulations.

PAs with procedural certification are among the most sought-after hires in aesthetic medicine, pain management, and regenerative medicine. These skills command premium salaries — often 25-40% above generalist PA compensation — and open doors to practice settings and career paths that offer greater autonomy, income potential, and professional satisfaction than traditional PA roles.

Yes, Empire's courses provide CME/CE credits accepted by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) for certification maintenance. Credits also satisfy continuing education requirements for state PA board license renewal, ensuring your training investment serves double duty for professional development and regulatory compliance.