Acupuncturist Course

Lesson 1 • Causes of Disease in TCM

Categorises external, internal, and miscellaneous pathogenic factors. Establishes etiological reasoning students apply when forming diagnoses.

Lesson 2 • History and Philosophy of TCM

Traces TCM origins from classical texts to modern practice. Provides historical context that grounds theoretical frameworks taught throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Qi, Vital Substances, and Energy

Defines Qi, Blood, Fluids, and Essence as functional substances. Connects these concepts to physiological processes explained in later diagnostic chapters.

Lesson 4 • Yin-Yang Theory in Clinical Context

Explains Yin-Yang as a dynamic clinical tool, not merely a symbol. Students apply polarity concepts to pattern identification introduced in Chapter 3.

Lesson 1 • Triple Burner and Organ Interrelationships

Explains Triple Burner's role in fluid metabolism and Qi transformation across body regions. Synthesises organ relationships for integrated clinical reasoning.

Lesson 2 • Liver, Gallbladder, and Kidney-Bladder

Details Liver's role in Qi flow and Blood storage, Kidney as root of Yin-Yang. These organs underpin the most clinically frequent patterns encountered.

Lesson 3 • Overview of Zang and Fu Organs

Distinguishes solid Zang from hollow Fu organs and their complementary roles. Sets the structural framework for all organ-specific content that follows.

Lesson 4 • Heart, Pericardium, and Small Intestine

Covers TCM functions of the Heart governing Blood and Shen, and its paired organs. Connects emotional disturbances to cardiovascular and mental symptom patterns.

Lesson 1 • Eight Principle Pattern Differentiation

Applies Interior/Exterior, Hot/Cold, Excess/Deficiency, and Yin/Yang axes to organise symptoms. This framework is the primary lens for all clinical pattern work.

Lesson 2 • Pulse Diagnosis Mastery

Trains recognition of the 28 classical pulse qualities at three positions. Pulse data is cross-referenced with tongue and inquiry findings for pattern confirmation.

Lesson 3 • The Four Diagnostic Methods

Introduces inspection, auscultation/olfaction, inquiry, and palpation as integrated tools. Each method contributes data synthesised into a complete clinical picture.

Lesson 4 • Organ and Pathogen Pattern Systems

Extends diagnosis into Zang-Fu patterns, Six Stages, Four Levels, and San Jiao systems. Students select the appropriate framework based on clinical presentation.

Lesson 1 • Eight Extraordinary Vessels

Covers Du, Ren, Chong, Dai, and four remaining vessels and their master points. Extraordinary vessels address constitutional, chronic, and complex conditions.

Lesson 2 • Sinew Channels and Cutaneous Regions

Presents musculoskeletal channel pathways and surface zone distributions. Sinew channels are the primary framework for treating musculoskeletal and pain conditions.

Lesson 3 • Channel Relationships and Clinical Selection

Synthesises channel interrelationships including Luo-Yuan, host-guest, and midday-midnight. Students apply these relationships to select channels for treatment.

Lesson 4 • Primary Channel Pathways and Functions

Traces the twelve primary meridians, their organ connections, and directional flow. Channel pathways determine which points treat which organ and regional conditions.

Lesson 1 • Points of the Lung, Large Intestine, and Stomach Channels

Locates and describes actions of key points on three major Yang and Yin channels. Builds systematic point knowledge beginning with the most clinically used channels.

Lesson 2 • Point Categories and Special Point Groups

Covers Shu-stream, Yuan-source, Xi-cleft, Back-Shu, Front-Mu, and influential points. Special point categories guide strategic point selection beyond basic location.

Lesson 3 • Anatomical Landmarks and Measurement

Introduces cun measurement, bony landmarks, and surface anatomy for point location. Accurate measurement is the prerequisite for all point location work.

Lesson 4 • Points of Kidney, Pericardium, Triple Burner, Liver, Gallbladder, and Du-Ren

Completes the full point repertoire across remaining channels and extraordinary vessels. Students can now locate and apply points from all fourteen channels.

Lesson 1 • Managing Adverse Events and Emergencies

Prepares students to recognise and respond to fainting, stuck needles, pneumothorax, and infection. Emergency response competency is required before supervised clinical practice.

Lesson 2 • Obtaining and Manipulating Deqi

Defines Deqi sensation and teaches reinforcing, reducing, and even manipulation methods. Deqi attainment and appropriate manipulation are central to therapeutic efficacy.

Lesson 3 • Insertion Techniques and Needle Angles

Teaches perpendicular, oblique, and transverse insertion with correct depth by region. Angle and depth selection prevents adverse events and optimises therapeutic effect.

Lesson 4 • Needle Types, Handling, and Sterilisation

Covers filiform needle gauges, lengths, and single-use sterile protocols. Proper equipment handling is the non-negotiable foundation of safe clinical practice.

Lesson 1 • Integrating Adjunct Modalities into Plans

Incorporates moxibustion, cupping, Tui Na, and dietary advice into treatment plans. Adjunct integration expands therapeutic options and addresses conditions needling alone cannot resolve.

Lesson 2 • Principles of Treatment Strategy

Establishes root-and-branch treatment hierarchy and acute vs. chronic prioritisation. Strategic principles ensure treatments address underlying patterns, not just symptoms.

Lesson 3 • Treatment Frequency, Duration, and Course

Defines optimal session frequency, course length, and reassessment intervals by condition type. Appropriate scheduling maximises outcomes and manages patient expectations.

Lesson 4 • Constructing a Point Prescription

Guides students through a stepwise prescription-building process from diagnosis to final point list. Structured prescription writing develops consistent clinical decision-making habits.

Lesson 1 • Digestive and Respiratory Conditions

Treats IBS, nausea, constipation, asthma, and allergic rhinitis through TCM pattern protocols. These conditions represent high-frequency presentations requiring reliable treatment frameworks.

Lesson 2 • Mental-Emotional and Sleep Disorders

Manages anxiety, depression, insomnia, and stress-related conditions through Heart and Liver pattern treatment. Mental-emotional conditions are increasingly prevalent in acupuncture caseloads.

Lesson 3 • Case Documentation and Clinical Reasoning

Trains SOAP note writing, progress tracking, and outcome measurement in clinical records. Systematic documentation supports continuity of care and professional accountability.

Lesson 4 • Gynaecological and Reproductive Conditions

Addresses dysmenorrhea, irregular cycles, fertility support, and menopausal symptoms. Gynaecological conditions represent a major specialty area within acupuncture practice.