Chinese Medicine Theory
Jeffrey Pang, L.Ac.
Department Chair
The Five Branches curriculum offers ten courses in Traditional Chinese Medical Theory, which provide our students with a thorough knowledge of the TCM theories of human health. Each course increases the student’s working knowledge of the language and theories of TCM’s unique, yet universal, approach to understanding health and the treatment of disease. These courses draw from both classical and modern texts to create a solid framework for the application of clinical methods.
[ Required Courses ]
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| MCT 100 4 Units 64 Hours |
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| This course introduces the classical principles of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements, which were universal laws in ancient China. TCM theory applies these broad principles to the realm of human physiology and pathology in a complex and powerful system for understanding the intricate balance of health. The major TCM theories systematically covered include: Qi, Blood, Body Fluids, Shen, Essence, Zang Fu Organs, Six Pernicious Influences, Four Levels, Six Stages and Eight Parameters. Etiology, pathogenesis, and TCM treatment principles of disease and disease prevention will be covered in detail. This course is the foundation for all other TCM coursework. |
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| Prerequisite: none |
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| MCT 110 1 Units 16 Hours |
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| This course presents a brief historical overview of the origin, development and changes in regard to Chinese medicine theories and practices. Students will gain an understanding, without being medically or clinically specific, of the larger and broader spectrum of TCM from antiquity to present. |
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| Prerequisite: None |
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| MCT 130 1 Units 16 Hours |
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| This course is a general introduction to the spoken and written modern Chinese language (Putonghua or Mandarin). Emphasis will be placed on pronunciation (tones and Pinyin system), essential TCM-related vocabulary and basic syntactical structures. |
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| Prerequisite: None |
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| MCT 200/201 5 Units 80 Hours |
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| This course begins with thorough instruction in the four diagnostic methods: inspection, inquiring, auscultation/olfaction and palpation. The four diagnostic methods are the backbone of TCM diagnosis and are used to collect and organize patient’s signs and symptoms. Among them, complexion, pulse, and tongue diagnosis are unique methods in TCM. The course continues with in-depth instruction on methods of Pattern Identification, one of the most important characteristics of TCM. Students learn how to differentiate the patient’s patterns of disharmony by analyzing the information acquired from four diagnostic methods. The lab focuses on assisting students in acquiring skill, accuracy and confidence in performing a patient history and physical exam using TCM assessment methods. |
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| Prerequisite: MCT 100, TCM Foundations |
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| MCT 301 2 Units 32 Hours |
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| This is the first course in a series of three that reviews important classical literature on Chinese medicine. In this course, the essential concepts of the Nei Jing (The Cannon of Internal Medicine) will be presented. Nei Jing is attributed to the legendary Huang Di (Yellow Emperor) and serves as the original source for TCM diagnosis and acupuncture theory, covering the theories of Yin/Yang, Five Elements, Zang organs and their manifestations, and the theory of channels and their networks. In addition, the theories of pathogens and pathomechanisms, clinical diseases and symptoms, diagnostic methods, therapeutic principles and methods, and the theory of health preservation will be reviewed. Course material is taken from translations of the original articles. The teacher and student work together to understand the true meaning of this ancient Chinese medical text. |
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| Prerequisite: Completion of 2nd semester |
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| MCT 401 2 Units 32 Hours |
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| TCM Case Studies I is designed to assist with the transition from academic knowledge to its application in clinical practice, reinforcing the basics of case analysis by teaching students how to systematically analyze case reports using fundamental TCM theory and diagnosis. Students learn how to analyze a chief complaint by looking at accompanying signs and symptoms and results from four examinations. Students gain increased skill in differentiating among similar patterns of disease. The focus of this course is on developing diagnostic ability, from which treatment plans are established. The case reports are selected from the clinic or established TCM texts for presentation and class discussion. Students will learn the proper format for written and oral case presentations. |
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| Prerequisite: Completion of 3rd semester |
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| MCT 501 2 Units 32 Hours |
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| This is the second course in a series of three courses that reviews important classical literature on Chinese medicine. The medical classic Shang Han Lun was a text compiled in the late Han dynasty approximately 2000 years ago, which discussed conditions induced by cold. Shang Han Lun utilizes the six-channel pattern identification of diseases and relies almost exclusively on herbal formulas for treatments. |
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| Prerequisite: Completion of 4th semester |
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| MCT 601 2 Units 32 Hours |
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| This is the third course in the series which reviews important classical literature on Chinese medicine. Jin Gui Yao Lue (The Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber) was written by Zhang Zhong Jing approximately 1700 years ago. Students will learn the main theoretical concepts and herbal prescriptions of the major diseases in the book as they apply to clinical use. |
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| Prerequisite: Completion of 5th semester |
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| MCT 801 2 Units 32 Hours |
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| In this course, students gain advanced skill in TCM pattern discrimination, using TCM theory, diagnoses and detailed treatment planning, including acupuncture and herbal treatment prescriptions. Western diagnostic tests are included in case analysis. The emphasis of the course is on critical thinking and diagnostic ability of complex cases; ensuring students reach a correct diagnosis, and understand the supporting logic behind the diagnosis, including the ability to distinguish among similar TCM patterns of disharmony. This is a comprehensive course which utilizes the knowledge and skills attained throughout the four year curriculum and prepares students for advanced clinical practice, and the CALE and NCCAOM examinations. Similar to Case Studies I, the course utilizes case studies from the clinic and from standard TCM textbooks. Students will be required to present a case to the class for discussion and evaluation. |
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| Prerequisite: MRA 600, Cum Review III |
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* Electives are offered based on faculty availability and student interest.
[ Elective Courses ]
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| MEL 315 2 Units 32 Hours |
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| This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of the Five Elements. Students will explore a map of energy that is particularly well suited for treating the emotional and spiritual levels and will begin to develop the skill to read energetic imbalances through color, sound, odor and emotion. The concepts in this course expand the range of conditions successfully treated by TCM practitioners. |
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| Prerequisite: MCT 200, TCM Diagnostics; MAC 220/MAC 230, Meridians and Acupuncture Points I/ Lab |
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| MEL 420 2 Units 32 Hours |
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| This course builds on the materials presented in Five Element Theory I, providing an opportunity to look deeper into the Elements and their Officials. Students will gain a deeper understanding of Five Element energetics and how to utilize this knowledge in the treatment room. Case studies will be presented throughout the course to enrich the understanding of this system of acupuncture. |
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| Prerequisite: MEL 315, Five Element Theory I |
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| MEL 431-433 2 Units 32 Hours |
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| Acupuncture points each have a name, a history, and a particular meaning and energy. This course examines the name of the point, its relationship to the Elements and to the corresponding Official (organ system), and its location and its relation to the overall context of the patient. The course includes discussion, meditation, art and poetry. The class is divided into three sections 2 units/ 32 hours each. Sections may be taken out of order: Section I, MEL 431: Addresses the points of Wood and Fire Meridians Section II, MEL 432: Addresses the points of Earth, Metal and Water Meridians Section III, MEL 433: Addresses the points of the Window of Sky, Governor and Conception Vessels. |
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| Prerequisite: MEL 315, Five Element Theory I |
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| MEL 440 2 Units 32 Hours |
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| This course presents the energetics of each of the Officials (Zang Fu) from the Five Element perspective, including the many ways the Officials may present themselves when out of balance, and how imbalances in the Officials express themselves in patients’ physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual lives. Students will explore how imbalances in one Official affect the associated elemental pair, its Ko cycle pair, and the creative Shen cycle. The methodology of choosing points to address the Official, most in need of support will be discussed. Students will learn how an imbalance of the Officials within themselves, and as practitioners, affects their understanding and treatment of patients. |
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| Prerequisite: MEL 420 Five Element Theory II |
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| MEL 450 2 Units 32 Hours |
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| This course discusses how Jungian psychology archetypes are viewed within the Five Elements of Chinese medicine, exploring the similarities that exist between modern Jungian psychology and Chinese medicine. The emphasis of the course will be on personal growth. Rituals, slides, Qigong exercises, stories, and spiritual poetry are used to create a “sacred space” for this exploration. The course will discuss the ancient Chinese models of the Five Elements and Twelve Officials as a system based on archetypal images. Comparisons will be drawn between Eastern and Western approaches. Students will learn to recognize archetypal emotional imbalances patterns in their patients and influence these energies through acupuncture points. |
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| Prerequisite: MEL 420 Five Element Theory II |
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| MEL 460 3 Units 48 Hours |
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| In this course we examine the process of conception and embryological development as the arising of the universe and how the underlying geometrical and mathematical forces of the universe unfold and can be discerned in the architecture of the embryo and the subtle bodies - the Qi body, the Shen body and the ancestor body. This leads to an exploration of the three Dan-Tian, the five forces, the Zang-Fu organ system, the six phases, the seven chakras, the Eight extraordinary channels, the ten heavenly stems, the 12 Earthly branches and the formation of the regular acupuncture channels. These unfolding systems will be related to contemporary TCM and the Nei Jing and Nan Jing. |
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| Prerequisite: MAC 110, Introduction to Channel Theory, MAC 220/230, MAC 320/330, Meridians and Acupuncture Points I & II/Lab |
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| MEL 501 1 Units 16 Hours |
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| This course reviews one of the important books of classical literature on Chinese medicine. Wen Bing discusses the theory and treatment of diseases that are induced by heat (febrile disease). The concept of febrile disease was first mentioned in Inner Canon (Nei Jing), however, for centuries the main focus of diagnosis and treatment was placed on Wind and Cold as the major cause of externally induced diseases. The doctrine of Wen Bing considers heat diseases to embrace all externally contacted febrile and infectious diseases and describes the progression of disease by utilizing the four-aspect pattern of differentiation. |
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| Prerequisite: Completion of 6th semester |
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