The Medical Acupuncture program is designed to meet the acupuncture curricula of the New York State Education Department. The sequence of educational activities represents 300 hours of formal instruction in practice acupuncture. The courses are divided into three sections that involve lectures on the basic aspect of acupuncture which includes video course viewing,and supervised clinical training. The courses will begin with an historical and scientific overview of acupuncture, and explain its context in modern medicine, describe Ying Yang Theory; Theory of Five Elements; Essence, Energy, Blood & Body Fluid; Eight Principles and Zang-Fu theory, introduce Tongue & Pulse Diagnosis, Meridians & Channels and Significant Acupuncture Points, and address palpitation and needling skills to initiate learning the manual skills of acupuncture. Precautions, contraindications, managing accidents of acupuncture theory, and dangerous points will be discussed.
Section I ACU 1000 Introduction to Acupuncture This course will introduce the participants to the history of formation and development of acupuncture, its context of modern medicine with an historical and scientific overview. Advanced research of acupuncture theory, needle techniques and clinical application will also be addressed. ACU 1010 Theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) This course will cover basic theories of TCM that includes Yin Yang Theory; Theory of Five Elements; Essence, Energy, Blood and Body fluid as fundamental substances and Zang-Fu organs. ACU 1120 TCM Pathogenesis This course introduces the concept of health, illness and the etiology of disease. It also introduces the six external pathogens, seven emotional factors and five endogenous factors. The pathogenesis of illness, the imbalance of Yin-Yang, and physical, mental and spiritual disharmonies will be presented for study. The dysfunction of the internal organs and meridians, abnormal relationships between the organs, and the pathogenesis of common symptoms and signs will be explained. ACU1030 TCM Diagnostic Methods This course introduces the four traditional diagnostic methods in TCM: inspection, auscultation/olfaction, inquiry and palpation. It focuses on tongue and pulse diagnosis. The four methods will be used to determine symptoms, signs, and the underlying disharmony or imbalance. ACU1040 TCM Syndrome Analysis and Treatment This course is essential for the analysis and treatment of patients in the clinic. Analysis according to eight principles, five elements, six meridians and four levels will be addressed. The special methods of triple burner, and Qi, Blood and Body fluid will also be discussed. ACU1050 Meridians and Points Locations This course will introduce the classical meridians and meridian theory. The superficial and deep pathways and their branches will be covered. Palpitation, anatomical landmarks and the acupuncture units of measurements will be introduced, in order to locate points and their function. ACU1060 Needle Technique This course will cover the preparation of the patient for treatment, the insertion and withdrawal of needles, gaining the Qi sensation, and tonification and reduction methods. The course will also cover the prevention and management of needling complications, the forbidden points, contraindications of needling, and ancient needle techniques. Section 2 ACU2000 Acupuncture Management for Neurological Disorders This course will review the common signs and symptoms of neurological disorders and describe links of twelve meridians related to neurological disorders. Also, the treatment of common neurological disorders; Scalp acupuncture therapy—location, indications and manipulation will be discussed. ACU2010 Acupuncture Management of Head and Facial Problems This course will cover current concepts in pathology, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of head and facial problems. Differential diagnosis specifically to headache, tinnitus and hearing gloss, dizziness and vertigo, facial palsy, facial spasm, facial pain, toothache, allergic rhinitis and myopia based on the diagnosis of TCM. Evidenced based treatment, including body acupuncture, ear acupuncture, point rejection, laser acupuncture, scalp acupuncture and moxibustion. ACU2020 Acupuncture Management of the Upper and Lower Extremities This course will cover the general principles of acupuncture therapy for the upper and lower extremity problems due to different sources. The differential diagnosis for problems such as rheumatic arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, periarthritis of shoulders, polyneuritis, brachial plexus neuralgia, Raynaud’s disease and many more will also be discussed. ACU2030 Acupuncture Management of Spine and Thoracic Problems In this course the learner will become familiar with important points to be selected for spinal and thoracic problems such as neck strain and sprain, cervical spondylopathy; thoracic pain; intercostals neuralgia; herpes zoster; low back pain and sciatica. The learner will evaluate and manage these common problems based on the diagnosis of TCM. ACU2040 GI Disorders Review of common signs and symptoms of gastrological disorders and describing meridians link related to these disorders ACU2050 Cardiovascular Diseases Review of common signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disorders and describing meridians link related to these disorders. ACU2060 Psychological Disorders Review of common signs and symptoms of psychological disorders and describing meridians link related to these disorders. ACU2070 Gynecology Systems Review of common signs and symptoms of OB/GYN disorders and describing meridians link related to these disorders. ACU2080 Urology systems Review of common signs and symptoms of urological disorders and describing meridians link related to these disorders ACU 2090 Respiratory Systems Review of common signs and symptoms of respiratory disorders and describing meridians link related to these disorders ACU2095 Acupuncture Management for Conditions Recommended by WHO The learner will become familiar with evidenced-based treatment, including body acupuncture, ear acupuncture, scalp acupuncture, and electrotherapy. The differential diagnosis for eye disorders, respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal disorders and genitourinary disorders, based on the diagnosis of TCM, will be discussed with important acupuncture points to be used. Section 3 ACU3000 Clinical Experience The clinical unit is structured to reinforce the classroom presentations into practical application. Clinical rotations take place at state-of-the-art facilities in New York City. Students will have the opportunity to observe and obtain hands-on experience in treating patients in these facilities. They will view practical application of syndrome differentiation and selection of acupuncture points, sterilization for acupuncture points, needle insertion and manipulation techniques to achieve painless and effective result. Students will also have the opportunity to discuss the cases with the treating Acupuncturists in the handling of some commonly seen patients in the real world practice of acupuncture.
ACUPUNCTURE 260
