Spinal Manipulation Under Anesthesia Training for Physicians

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.

MUA is indicated when patients with chronic spinal pain, adhesive capsulitis, or fibrotic restrictions have failed an adequate trial of conservative management including physical therapy, medication, injections, and office-based manual therapy. Appropriate candidates demonstrate restricted range of motion that is limited by pain and muscle guarding rather than structural pathology. The course teaches detailed patient selection criteria to identify ideal MUA candidates.

When performed on properly selected patients, MUA demonstrates high success rates for improving range of motion and reducing chronic pain. Most patients experience significant improvement in mobility and pain levels after a one to three procedure series. The course emphasizes patient selection as the most critical factor in MUA outcomes — choosing the right patients is what determines success.

MUA has established CPT codes and is covered by many insurance plans when performed for appropriate clinical indications with documented failed conservative treatment. The ASC facility fee, anesthesia, and MUA procedure are billed separately. The course provides detailed documentation templates and coding guidance to support insurance authorization and reimbursement for MUA procedures.

While physicians have the legal authority to perform many procedures, hands-on training under expert supervision dramatically accelerates the learning curve, reduces complication risk, and provides the clinical confidence needed to deliver exceptional patient outcomes from day one. Empire's structured curriculum, live patient practice, and CME accreditation also satisfy credentialing and malpractice insurance requirements that self-study alone cannot fulfill.

Adding procedural services creates new revenue streams that can significantly increase your practice income — aesthetic services alone can add $200K-$500K+ in annual revenue. Beyond finances, offering in-demand procedures improves patient retention, attracts new patient demographics, and positions your practice competitively in a market where patients increasingly expect comprehensive service offerings from their healthcare providers.

Yes. All Empire Medical Training courses for physicians are accredited through the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and provide AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. These credits satisfy continuing medical education requirements for state license renewal and specialty board Maintenance of Certification (MOC) programs.