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Acupuncture Diploma Program:

1600 hr Specialized Program (for RMTs and ALL other healthcare professionals)

             Related Workshops        Shiatsu 101: Intro          Shiatsu Diploma        Acupuncture Diploma                                                    (General Interest)       (Specialized 1385hr)       (Specialized 1600hr)

Acupuncture Diploma Program: 1600hr Specialized Program

CMTO CEUs: 142.50

Description: Offered as a 1600 hour diploma program for professions listed under the Ontario Registered Healthcare Practitioners Act (Physicians, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Registered Nurses, Chiropractors, Veterinarians, Registered Massage Therapists and Naturopaths), courses include both Eastern and Western perspectives. Extensive clinic experience completes the well rounded and comprehensive curriculum. As a healthcare professional, acupuncture will be a welcome addition both to you, as a therapist, and to your clients.

Graduates of the program can expect to be able to practice acupuncture as a stand-alone therapy or along with their current discipline in a skilled and confident manner.

Students wishing to complete the full 1900 hour Acupuncture Diploma Program can do so by enrolling in the Clinical Practicum Chinese & Japanese Acupuncture II  (300 Hours) course thus bringing their 1600 hours of training to 1900 hours of training.  Please see below for more information.

Course Length: 1600 hours/1055 hours with potential exemptions in Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, First Aid and Practice Management*.

Next Start Dates:

September 2008 - early start date for Acupuncture Program: Acupuncture Fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine - TCM (150 hour course)

January 2009 - regular 1600 hours Acupuncture Diploma Program: START DATE                (includes Fundamentals of TCM and all other Acupuncture courses)

With a monthly payment plan, continuing your education can be attainable and manageable. Example. RMTs trained in Ontario who are working towards a 1600 hour diploma in acupuncture receive 545 hours of exemptions (Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Practice Management and First Aid & CPR) from the 1600 Acupuncture Diploma Program. Total Tuition without exemptions for the 1600 hours Specialized Acupuncture Diploma Program = $12,624.00 (plus gst) If: Subtract all exempted courses: Potential students will save $4300.05 (plus gst) due to these exemptions. Remaining Tuition = $8323.95* (plus gst and includes the non-refundable registration fee) Mandatory Non-refundable Registration Fee: $500 (plus gst) Monthly Payment Plan – January '09 to July '11  Monthly payments of $252.38 (plus gst and includes the non-refundable registration fee) OR Pay in full and receive a 10% discount - an additional savings of $832.39 (this price includes the registration fee)

Curriculum

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.

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.

The Jing-Luo (Meridians and collaterals) System  (80 hours)
This course of study presents the complex network of meridians and collaterals that integrate the body's energy and functions into a unified organism.  It outlines the formation, function and clinical significance of channel theory, the distribution and pathology of 12 primary channels, the muscle regions and cutaneous regions, plus a summary of research concerning the channels.

Acupuncture Point Location  (100 hours)
This course of study outlines the most important points that are located along the major meridians.  The most commonly used methods of locating the points will be discussed using anatomical landmarks, proportional measurements, and finger and thumb measurements.  Differential functions and clinical significance of each point compared to other points on the same or different meridians will be outlined, plus point pairing and combining.  This will be conducted through demonstrations and hands-on sessions in class.

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.

Differential Diagnosis  (35 hours)
Distinguishing Syndromes according to the Zang-Fu organs is an important component of TCM.  However complex or diversified the disease may be, it is attributed to the dysfunction of one or more of the Zang-Fu organs.  This course of study reviews and expands on the various important diagnostic and therapeutic frameworks in TCM through class lectures and case studies.  The Zang-Fu organs will be covered, as well as the Extraordinary Organs, syndromes according to Qi, Blood and Body Fluids, the differentiation of syndromes according to the 4-Levels, 6-Stages and Three Burners, and the Eight Principles of TCM.

Clean Needle Technique  (16 Hours)
This course of study aids the student in understanding the transmission of disease and how to protect themselves and their patients. Clean needle practice, theory and technique, proper handling and disposal of needles and the proper sterilization of all materials used in practice are outlined. The course will consist of lectures and hands-on workshops designed to give the student plenty of practice in maintaining the "clean field" and needling protocol.

Acupuncture Technique  (65 Hours)
Acupuncture is an ancient method of treating disease through the use of needles inserted into particular points accompanied by specific manipulations. This course will introduce the different kinds of needles, methods and techniques used in clinic, as well as any contraindications, and management of accidents. Workshops will involve needling of the body, including the scalp, feet and hands.

The Treatment of Disease  (100 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.

Auricular acupuncture  (25 hours)
Ear acupuncture therapy was recorded in the book Neijing (500-300 B.C.).  In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the ear is not considered to be a separate organ, but closely connected with the channels, collaterals and Zhang-Fu organ systems. This course will introduce the anatomical terminology of the auricular surface and will demonstrate how ear acupuncture can be used in the treatment of disease.

External Techniques: Gua-sha, Cupping, Moxibustion and Tui Na  (25 Hours)
This course of study allows the student the opportunity to explore the fundamentals of Gua-sha, an exterior release method using a Chinese porcelain spoon; Tui-na, a Chinese method of massage; Cupping, a therapy whereby a heated glass jar is attached, by suction, to the skin surface relieving local congestion; and Moxibustion, a treatment using a dried herb known as Artemisia Vulgaris, that is lit and applied to the skin for the prevention and treatment of disease.

Ethics  (10 Hours)
This course will focus on professional issues pertaining to acupuncture treatment, including medical, legal and ethical issues, future trends and record keeping.

Research Modalities  (4 Hours)
Students will be introduced to the most reliable sources of information, concerning acupuncture, on the internet, journals and publications.

Clinical Practicum Chinese & Japanese Acupuncture I (350 hours)
The emphasis of this final portion of the diploma program is in Clinical Practicum. This is where the student applies all the information gathered over the past two years. Treatments will be conducted in a supervised clinical setting in stages, starting with observation and clinical intakes through to needling with supervision and ending with the student as the primary therapist, formulating the diagnosis and conducting the treatment. Every effort will be made for each student to be exposed to as wide a range of ailments as possible. Any important condition that has not been covered will be demonstrated in a mock situation.

Clinical Practicum Chinese & Japanese Acupuncture II  (300 Hours)
A continuation of the clinic practicum, students will treat clients in a supervised setting incorporating special topics such as addictions (including weight loss and smoking cessation) and  orthopedics.
Note: This course applies only to those students who wish to increase their total program hours from 1600 hours to 1900 hours.**not mandatory**

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.
Note: Potential exemption for healthcare professionals

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.
Note: Potential exemption for healthcare professionals

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.
Note: Potential exemption for healthcare professionals

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.
Note: Potential exemption for healthcare professionals

First Aid and CPR
Required to graduate from all Acupuncture Programs.

* exemptions and corresponding tuition savings will depend on previous training.