TCM Theory & Clinical Medicine

This course covers the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of common diseases of the musculoskeletal system in accordance with both TCM and Western medicine. Emphasis is placed on the differentiation of bone and soft tissue injuries related to common sports and industrial injuries. You will learn to treat patients with acupuncture and herbs, perform essential orthopedic tests to evaluate the outcome of treatments, recognize red flags in orthopedics, and make appropriate referrals. You will learn how to competently instruct patients in the proper rehabilitation and the prevention of sports and industrial injuries.

FAP 100/200/300, Acupuncture I, II, & III

This two-trimester course sequence reviews the history of TCM internal medicine, the mechanisms of disease, the principles of making a diagnosis, and the common treatment methods associated with making a diagnosis. Etiology, pathogenesis, and signs and symptoms of common disease patterns of internal medicine will be reviewed. Students will learn to diagnose common internal medicine diseases from TCM and Western medicine perspectives, identify their patterns, and devise appropriate treatment plans using acupuncture and herbal formulations with appropriate modifications.  

FHB 200/300/400, TCM Herbology I, II & III; FAP 100/200/300, Acupuncture I, II & III; FCT 400, Case Studies I

This course presents both Western and TCM knowledge of gynecology. Differential diagnosis of the most common gynecological concerns and disharmonies are covered in detail, including common menstrual disharmonies, such as irregularity, leukorrhea, PID, PMS, infertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Emphasis is placed on the common complaints of women and the TCM herbal and acupuncture treatments for these disharmonies. Contraindications during pregnancy are also covered. The course includes training in the use of Western diagnostic reports in relation to hormonal cycles. 

Completion of two of the following: FHB 500/600/700, TCM Formulas I, II & III

This course teaches students the treatment of common diseases in external medicine according to both TCM and Western disease categorizations. In studying each disease, students learn its etiology and pathogenesis, syndrome differentiation (patterns), treatment principles and corresponding treatment therapies, using both herbs and acupuncture.

Completion of two of the following: FHB 500/600/700, TCM Formulas I, II & III

This course emphasizes common complaints of children, and the TCM theories, herbal, acupuncture and pediatric tuina treatments that apply to the special circumstances of children. Child development, specific patent formulas for children, herbs for breast-feeding moms to pass onto the baby, respiratory ailments, enuresis, special children’s disharmonies such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and TCM health recommendations for children, will be reviewed in the course.

Completion of one of the following: MHB 501, TCM Formulas I; MHB 601, TCM Formulas II

This course emphasizes common complaints of children, and the TCM theories, herbal, acupuncture and pediatric Tuina treatments that apply to the special circumstances of children. Child development, specific patent formulas for children, herbs for breastfeeding moms to pass onto the baby, respiratory ailments, enuresis, special children’s disharmonies such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and TCM health recommendations for children, will be reviewed in the course.    

Completion of two of the following: FHB 500/600/700, TCM Formulas I, II & III

This two-course series is foundation to all other TCM coursework.The first course introduces students to the classical principles of the fundamental theories of Chinese Medicine such as the Yin and Yang, the Dao, 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 are systematically covered, including Qi, Blood, Shen, Essence, Body Fluids, and Zang-Fu organs and their dynamic internal relationship. The second course builds on the first one and covers various theories of Chinese medicine including the Six Pernicious Influences, Four Levels, Six Stages and Eight Parameters. Etiology, pathogenesis, as well as TCM treatment principles of disease and disease prevention are covered in detail.  After completing these courses, students will be familiar with the basic language and terminology of traditional Chinese Medicine as well as the theories and concepts that are the foundation of Chinese medicine’s view on health and illness.

None

This course is designed to introduce a brief historical overview of the origin, development and changes in regards 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. Upon completion of this course, students will understand the origin and historical development of Chinese medicine from antiquity to present day.

None

This course serves as a general introduction to the spoken and written modern Chinese language (Putonghua or Mandarin). Emphasis will be placed on writing Chinese with the English alphabet (Pinyin system), pronunciation (tonal system) and terminology used to describe Chinese medical concepts. Some basic syntactical structures and characters are introduced. After completing this course, students will be able to pronounce and spell simple characters of TCM in Chinese Pinyin, learn some medical words and use them in simple sentence forms.  

None

This is a two course series covering the four diagnostic methods in Chinese medicine as well as in-depth learning of pattern disharmony. The first of two courses 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 the patient’s signs and symptoms. Emphasis is placed on tongue and pulse evaluation. The second course continues with in-depth instruction on methods of Pattern Identification, one of the most important characteristics of TCM. The course goes over the full differential diagnosis of syndromes from the various theoretical frameworks. These include: Zang Fu, Eight Principles, Six Stages, Four Levels, and the Three Burners. Case studies and role play are used to assist students in acquiring skill, accuracy and confidence in taking a patient history and performing a physical exam using TCM assessment methods. Upon completion of these courses, students will know how to use the four diagnostic methods to gather patient data and perform a complete patient history intake and exam. Additionally they will be able to recognize and identify basic TCM patterns of disharmony by analyzing the information acquired from the four diagnostic methods. 

Diagnosis I: Completion of FCT 100, Foundations I; concurrent enrollment in FCT 200, Foundations II | Diagnosis II: Completion of FCT 100/200, Foundations I & II; FCT 210, Diagnosis I

This two course series is designed to first transition students from pure acquisition of academic knowledge into implementation into clinical practice. Then students learn to further sharpen their differential diagnostic skills in analyzing cases. The students are expected to access traditional and contemporary literature in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, as well as biomedical research, including research in epidemiology. In each course, students will be required to write high quality case studies, and give a presentation to their classmates regarding findings and recommendations. TCM Case Studies I is designed to assist with the transition from academic knowledge to its application in clinical practice. The course reinforces 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 the four examinations. Students gain increased skill in differentiating among similar patterns of disease. The focus of the class 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 also learn to properly format written and oral case presentations. TCM Case Studies II is a continuation of TCM Case Studies I. In this class, students gain advanced skill in TCM pattern discrimination using TCM theory, TCM diagnosis and detailed treatment planning, including acupuncture and herbal treatment prescriptions. Western diagnostic tests will also be included in case analysis. The emphasis of the class is on critical thinking and diagnostic ability of complex cases, ensuring that students reach a correct diagnosis and the supporting logic that supports the diagnosis. This includes the ability to distinguish among similar TCM patterns of disharmony. This is a comprehensive class, which utilizes the knowledge and skills attained throughout the 4-year curriculum. The course prepares students for advanced clinical practice. Like Case Studies I, the class 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.Upon completion of these courses students will have advanced skills in case analysis and be able to reach and justify an accurate diagnosis of a patient based upon accepted TCM theories and Western diagnostic tests. Additionally, they will demonstrate accuracy in developing treatment plans and proficiency in presenting written and oral case reports.

Case Studies I: FCT 100/200, TCM Foundations I & II; FCT 210/FCT 310, TCM Diagnosis I & II | Case Studies II: FCT 800/900, Internal Medicine I & II; FAP 800/900, Acupuncture Therapeutics I & II; FHB 500/600/700, Formulas I, II, & III; FWM 800/900, Western Case Management I & II

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 Canon of Internal Medicine) will be presented from translations of the original articles. Nei Jing is attributed to the legendary Huang Di (Yellow Emperor) and serves as the source for TCM diagnosis and acupuncture theory, covering Yin/Yang, Five Elements, Zang organs and their manifestations, and channels and their networks. 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. The teacher and student work together to understand the true meaning of this ancient Chinese medical text. 

FCT 100/200, TCM Foundations I & II; FCT 210/FCT 310, TCM Diagnosis I & II

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.

Completion of one of the following: FHB 500/600/700, TCM Formulas I, II & III

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.

Completion of one of the following: FHB 500/600/700, TCM Formulas I, II & III

In this course, students will receive an overview of the history, philosophy and practice of herbal medicine, This will include product manufacturing, botany, dosage forms, and pharmacy practices. After completing this course, students will be able to begin their formal studies of traditional Chinese herbal medicine with a deeper understanding of its philosophy, as well as how to integrate their knowledge into a successful modern clinical practice.