Early March 2020, Myopain Seminars stopped teaching courses due to the coronavirus pandemic. State and county regulations prohibited us from teaching any courses, which made sense as little was known about the virus and the risks. Four months later, the rules in Maryland and many other states are more relaxed and gatherings are once again allowed. Considering that in many states, the number of new cases is rising, we cannot predict how much longer we will be able to teach, but for now, we feel confident that with strict COVID guidelines and policies in place, we have created safe classroom
environments that minimize the risk of infection. After much research, we have started teaching a few courses again in a few locations, including Bethesda/Rockville, MD; Appleton, WI; Chicago, IL; Overland Park, KS, and St. Augustine, FL.
With new guidelines and policies in place to minimize the risk of transmission of the coronavirus during our courses, is it safe to attend the Myopain Seminars courses in the middle of a pandemic? We think so, but don’t take our word for it. We asked our course participants the same question and this is what they told us:
“They did a good job making me feel safe even with the COVID scare.”
“COVID precautions were great and I never felt unsafe. Myopain provided above and beyond safety precautions, which is nice for those who may have anxiety about being in a small group.”
“I felt very comfortable during the course even with COVID.”
“Myopain Seminars did a great job maintaining COVID precautions; I felt very safe!”
This course was exactly what I was hoping it would be; it was practical knowledge that can be immediately applied in the clinic. I thought of current patients to use these techniques on all weekend; techniques that seem to be “the missing link” in many of my current patients. Dr. Rachel Odom, DPT, Alexandria, VA.
In addition to a daily COVID screening and temperature checks, we have implemented many other specific policies to create the safest classroom environment, such as…..
- Instructors and students are required to wear face masks at all times during the courses.
- Treatment tables are separated to allow for social distancing.
- All supplies are provided individually at each table which prevents close contact with other students getting supplies, water, and snacks.
- Students will work with only one or two partners for the duration of the course.
- All surfaces are being cleaned continuously during the course, i.e., every time students switch positions, the table is cleaned. All students have their own pillows and towels. Disinfection materials are available throughout the classroom.
- In our Rockville and Bethesda, MD courses, classrooms are disinfected several times per day with hypochlorous acid using a fogger. Students have their own hypochlorous misters to clean their own workspace. Studies show that hypochlorous acid is many times more effective than chlorine disinfecting products. Hypochlorous acid is a potent oxidizing agent and superior to many other products, as it selectively binds with unsaturated bonds lipid layering that disrupts cellular integrity and increases permeability. It also destroys viruses by chlorination by forming chloramines, and nitrogen-centered radicals resulting in single- as well as double-stranded DNA breaks rendering the nucleic acid useless and the virus harmless. Where this option is not available, other disinfection methods are being used.
- During all courses, face shields and face masks are available for purchase from our web store.
- During all courses, we strongly emphasize extensive ventilation with fans and opening doors/windows to outside where possible, which is one of the most important strategies to negate aerosol transmission.
We realize that attending courses during these challenging times is not necessarily on top of a clinician’s to-do-list, but we do believe that we have created the optimal course environment even while we are in the middle of a pandemic. We also understand companies that are reluctant to let their employees attend courses, but once again, as our students testified, Myopain Seminars “provided above and beyond safety precautions.”
This course is everything advertised and more. I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to improve their clinical skills and ability to differentially diagnose myofascial pain and movement restrictions.
Dr. Jonathan Holleman, Charleston, SC.
