Feed: Recent CEUs

Meditation: Yin Organs, Section One: Outline of Six Yin Organs
This course is Section One of five independent sections in the Meditation: Yin Organ series. Section One will cover a general overview of the Six Yin Organs.

Students will study and learn beginner and intermediate level philosophies, forms and practices of meditation. Each experiential class will primarily consist of guided or silent meditation practice, but will also include class discussion and lecture. Covering principles via exposure to traditional Taoist images of yin organs, visualizing five channel depths pertaining to each of the six meridians, exploring the five element system, deepening our understanding of yin channels utililizing the ying qi cycle and its connection with spirit cultivation, and gaining exposure to human organs by studying pictorials, the intention of this course is to empower and inspire TCM students to develop insight by building comprehensive therapeutic relationships with the six yin organs to continue a lifelong, rewarding relationship with "just sitting".

These meditations can also be taught to patients to improve their health and wellness. For those who are willing, the promise of this course and this art form is the cultivation of mind and heart. It is by way of such cultivation that a doctor may become what the ancients termed a "Superior Physician".

Understanding chemical dependence from an AOM perspective module 2: Common drugs
Aim

This module provides a comprehensive overview of a range of different drugs. Alcohol, tobacco, prescription medications and illicit drugs are all pharmacologically diverse with different abuse liability potential. They belong to different drug classes, affect different neurological pathways and organs - with different effects and health consequences.

Overview

Specific information about a range of commonly used drugs, their effects and appropriate management is provided. This includes:
- Drug class: that is the type of drug and neurobiological mechanism of action.
- Route of administration: how the drug is used, how it enters the blood stream, the speed of onset and intensity of its effects.
- Effects: the desired effects as well as unwanted effects or health consequences.
- Abuse liability potential: how ´´likeable´´ a drug is and what makes it addictive. This is determined by the drug´s speed of onset, intensity of effects and duration of action and excretion.
- Toxological complications: longer term health risks, negative effects at higher doses and overdose.
- Minimizing risks: strategies to minimize the health risks and reduce other drug related harms.
- AOM perspective: each drug is profiled within an acupuncture and oriental medicine theoretical framework.
- Drugs: Alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, benzodiazepines (prescritption sedatives).Central Nervous System stimulants (amphetamines, ecstasy and cocaine), opioids (heroin), hallucinogens, inhalants and solvents (e.g. glue). We also briefly look at drug use during pregnancy.

Chemical dependence is a fascinating area of medicine. The pharmacological and psychological issues are complex and diverse and outcomes vary greatly and depend on all available sources to provide support and care.

Pattern Identification in TCM
In order to better understand TCM pattern medicine diagnosis, this CEU course will discuss the definition of pattern diagnosis and the procedures for patterns in detail using TCM concepts. This includes:

1) The constraint level and aspects of pattern in order to better understand the structure of patterns in different dimensions.

2) Determining the priorities of patterns in order to obtain a clear strategy for treatment of multiple pattern situations,

3) Understanding the three dependencies for a more holistic view of pattern diagnosis.

4) Evaluating the degree and stages of the interchanges of pattern in order to provide the practitioner with a more detailed diagnostic skill for clinical application.

5) Discussion of the relation between the pattern and human constitution, and the relations among the disease patterns and symptoms, as well as how pattern is related in Western medicine information.

6) Lastly, macro and micro diagnosis of patterns will also be discussed.

TCM Facial Rejuvenation Overview
To introduce the participants to the concepts and techniques of cosmetology and facial rejuvenation in TCM, including:

- tools of basic skin assessment
- factors that progress aging
- facial rejuvenation acupuncture, with details on commonly used channels and points
- facial rejuvenation gua sha
- facial rejuvenation massage
- Topical treatments and facial masks
- How differentiate skin and skin lesions
- Chinese herb medicine cosmetology
- Acupuncture cosmetology

Understanding chemical dependence from an AOM perspective module 1: Introduction
Aim:

Drugs (including alcohol) are everywhere and lots of people use them. Many of these people don’t have any problems, however those that do may not know it - or if they do, they may not know what to do about it...

You, as an AOM practitioner can help!

This module aims to equip practitioners of AOM with accurate information about different types of drugs, their physiological effects, health consequences and strategies to reduce harms associated with alcohol or other drug use.

This session is the first in a series of education modules about chemical dependence facilitated by Katherine Berry, a licensed acupuncturist, health educator and addiction medicine specialist from Australia.

Overview:

Many people in the community who use alcohol or recreational drugs do not come under the attention of mainstream health services. These people are likely to be in the care of, or seek treatment with alternative health practitioners.

It is paramount that we as primary health care clinicians have access to up to date information about drugs and their short and long term health consequences.

There are a wide range of legal and illicit drugs available in our community. These drugs are all pharmacologically diverse. They have different psychotropic and physiological effects, likeability, abuse liability and dependence potential. That is, their effects and consequences are diverse… as are the reasons for people using them!

Alcohol and other drug use doesn’t just effect individuals. It impacts on families, relationships and the whole community. Your clients may be affected indirectly by their partner, parent, family member or friend’s drug use.