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Curriculum: Diploma in Chinese Medicinal Herbs

| About Chinese Medicinal Herbs | Program Overview | Curriculum |
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Human Anatomy (200 Hours)
Anatomy is the study of the structure and composition of cells, tissues and organs. Topics include the study of the systems of the body: skeletal, articular, muscular, lymphatic, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, endocrine and reproductive. The organization of the body systems and co-ordination of their functions are also discussed.

Human Pathology and Symptomology (150 Hours)
Pathology is the study of how the body reacts to injury and the causes and processes of disease. Students learn about the processes of tissue repair; infectious diseases; and pathologies of the bone, muscle, and the major systems-respiratory, circulatory, nervous, gastrointestinal, reproductive, immunological and hormonal.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbal Theory (50 hours)
This course begins with the basic theory of the energetic properties, tastes, actions and categories of Chinese medicinal herbs employed therapeutically. The classes of Chinese medicinal herbs and their clinical applications, indications and contraindications will be presented and studied in detail. The eight major therapeutic methods of Chinese Herbal Therapy, auxiliary methods and clinical applications of different herbs as related to therapeutic methodology and effect. Component elements of a compound herbal prescription and methods of preparation will also be included. The concept of standard matching of Chinese medicinal herbs related to both mechanism of mutual interaction as well as from the point of view of established formulas with as emphasis on combination and combining of herbs to achieve clinically effective results.

Human Physiology (100 Hours)
Physiology is the study of the functioning of the human body. Cellular metabolism, thermo-regulation, bone-growth, muscle function, lymph flow, blood function, respiration, digestion, waste elimination, hormonal influences, reproduction, and nerve function are the main topics.

Biomedical Pharmacology (45 Hours)
This course introduces the basic classifications of prescription drugs and potential side effects. Vitamins, herbs and supplements that are commonly taken will be discussed. Potential medication, herb and nutritional supplement interactions, contraindications and side effects and how to access this information will be introduced.

Practice Management and Communication Skills (80 Hours)
The focus of the course is to help build and manage a successful practice. Topics include patient/practitioner communication skills, managing difficult patient situations, scope of practice, making appropriate referrals, insurance issues, resume writing, risk management and quality assurance.

Fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine (100 hours)
This course will introduce the historical and philosophical contexts, upon which Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based. Topics will include the concepts and physiology of Qi (a central theme in Chinese medical theory), Blood and Body Fluids, Essence, Shen and Mingmen, Yin and Yang and the Five Elements. The etiology and pathology, according to TCM will be outlined and physiology and functions of the Zhang-Fu Organs and their relationships.

Oriental Medicine Diagnosis (100 hours)
TCM is the oldest existing medicine and doctors of the time, not having the modern diagnostic tools available today, formulated their own procedure consisting of four diagnostic methods, namely inspection, auscultation/olfaction, inquiry and palpation. This course is designed to expose the student to all of these standard TCM components of diagnosis through didactic study, practical application and slide presentations. Proper clinical intake procedures will be discussed and there will be hands-on practicum sessions with the various pulse patterns and tongue pictures.

The Treatment of Disease (140 hours)
This course of study will focus on the most commonly seen diseases in internal medicine, including gynecology, dermatology and common complaints seen in clinical practice. The student will learn how to identify and treat them using the ancient theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Instruction will consist of lectures, case studies and a wealth of knowledge from the instructor's own clinical experience.

Ethics (20 Hours)
This course will focus on professional issues pertaining to treatment, including medical, legal and ethical issues, future trends and record keeping.

Basic Western Diagnosis (60 hours)
This course introduces and practices the physical examination of a person in a Western medical practice and includes history taking, palpation and auscultation techniques of the body. The study of laboratory diagnosis and differential diagnosis of common and critical symptoms and signs is covered for the continuity of care and referral.

Microbiology (60 hours)
This course includes basic microbiology pertaining to disease transmission, infection, control, sterilization and disinfection. It also covers basic clinical bacteriology and virology pertinent to a clinical setting.

The Materia Medica (150 hours)
This course of study presents both an exhibition of study of Chinese medicinal herb theory as well as the identification, application and use of individual Chinese medicinal and herbal substances.

Complementing the three main modules of herbal theory covered is a presentation of Chinese herbal and medicinal substances employed clinically in combination with each other. Focus will be on main individual medicinals and additional subsidiary medicinals. This provides a well rounded foundation for the study of herbal formulae as well as a basis for both modified established formulae as well as planning individualized and modified prescriptions.

Medicinal Combining, Preparation and Modification (50 hours)
This course of study presents a systematized follow-up of the aforementioned in order to facilitate the study of formulae and their modification in a therapeutic and clinical application.

Classical Formulae (150 hours)
This course of study presents the major categories of Chinese herbal formulae and modification of the formulae employed clinically. Differentiation of the types and modifications of formulae adapted clinically and employed clinically in traditional Chinese herbal therapy will be studied in detail.

Patent/Propriety Medicines and Preparations (100 hours)
The focus of this course of study is to provide an overview, awareness, and a detailed study of the patent medicines that are currently available that are derivatives of classical formulae studied in the previous course. Emphasis will be in categorizing the patent medicines in terms of TCM therapeutic application, reviewing and analysing the constituents of the formulae in order to understand the energetics and clinical application. Significance of utilization of the Chinese patent preparations will be based on the point of view of TCM energetics, actions, patho-physiology and the identification and discrimination of TCM patterns to which these may be applied and employed clinically.

Clinic (425 hours)
The emphasis of the final section of this program is in the practical clinical application and prescribing of Chinese medicinals within a clinical setting. Clinical practicum aims to provide a well-rounded exposure to the range and treatment of a variety of clinical patterns and conditions.

The Shiatsu School of Canada reserves the right to make changes to any course, program, fee, policy or procedure with respect to availability, delivery mode, schedules, or course requirements described in this calendar, at any time, without further notice.