Frequently Asked Questions
When does the course start and finish?
The course starts annually in January and meets quarterly for a period of 18 months. Quarterly immersion weekends take place from Friday-Sunday 9:00 am – 6:00pm and are conducted in Olympia WA.
What is included in the course?
The primary focus of the course is on TCM theory and the use of theory to select and perform acupuncture therapy. There is an emphasis on hands on practicums and review of essential theories, diagnostics and practice management. On line presentations between the immersion weekends will consist of a variety of learning tools including video, lectures, forums and reading assignments. On line consultations by appointments will also be available to students throughout the program and after graduation.
What if I live out of state?
In November 2017, the State of Washington, Department of Health, Nursing Quality Assurance Board approved the inclusion of medical acupuncture for Nurse Practitioners with 300 hours training from an accredited program of study. If you are enrolling from another state, we advise you to check with your state board of nursing to insure medical acupuncture is allowed and the criteria is the same.
ACUPUNCTURE & INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE INSTITUTE LLC.
Acupuncture Training: Course Syllabus
Winter, 2021
Course Number: 003
Course Title: Acupuncture Training Program
Class Meetings
Classroom instruction: Friday-Saturday-Sunday 09:00 am – 6:00 pm
Course Dates:
January 22/23/24 2021
April 23/24/25 2021
July 16/17/18 2021
October 15/16/17 2021
January 21/22/23 2022
April 08/09/10 2022
Location: Acacia Acupuncture
Address: 1800 Cooper Point Rd. SW, Bldg. 15, Olympia, WA
Tel: 360-539-5222
Prerequisites: Nurse Practitioner
I. Course Description
This course explores the concepts and theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and how to apply them in the clinical practice. After completion of the program students will have proficiency in using TCM theory to diagnose and treat medical conditions using the appropriate selection of acupuncture points and therapies to support an integrative approach to cares. It also provides training in additional acupuncture therapies and other techniques used in treatment. The focus of instructions will focus on proficiency in hands on skills to include acupuncture, tuina, electro-acupuncture, auricular, laser therapy, cupping, and Roduraku analysis and other integrative practices that facilitate and promote wellness, restoration of health, and the management of chronic and acute conditions in adults using an integrative approach to care. Strategies include nutrition, movement, mind body approaches, spirituality, complementary and
alternative modalities and botanicals. Ultimately providing an expanded template for nurse practitioners to incorporate integrative health principles into their practices.
II. Course Outcomes
At the completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Examine and demonstrate the theories and application of TCM; basic concepts and theories that provide the basis of point selection, promote health and well-being in patients.
2. Demonstrate proficiency in the application of acupuncture treatment and other TCM therapies.
3. Examine the legal, safety and ethical issues of an integrative health practice, strategies for effective collaboration with diverse healthcare disciplines to meet the needs of patients with various health concerns.
4. Review evidence-based studies to support the use of acupuncture and integrative approaches to promote health and well-being and manage health conditions.
III. Instructional Resources
Machiocia, G. (2015), The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: 3rd Ed. A Comprehensive Text, New York, N.Y. Elsevier.
Machiocia, G. (2007), The Practice of Chinese Medicine: The Treatment of Diseases with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs, 2nd Ed. New York N.Y. Churchill, Livingston
Deadman, P. Al-Khafaji, M. (2007). A Manual of Acupuncture, 2nd Ed. Vista, CA, Journal of Chinese Medicine Publication
Calhoun, DC. (2019) Acupuncture Techniques 101: Safety, CNT, and Needling Techniques, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Cats TCM Notes Press,
Calhoun, DC (2019), Acupuncture Techniques 102: Moxibustion, Three-edged Needle, Cutaneous Needle Therapy, Gua Sha, Cupping and Electroacupuncture, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Cats TCM Notes Press, The Manual of Acupuncture is also available as an App at http://amanualofacupuncture.com/
recommended.
Maciocia, G. (1995). Tongue Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine. Philadelphia, PA. Eastland Press
Flaws, B. (2012). The Secret of Chinese Pulse Diagnosis, 3rd Ed. Portland, OR, NY. Blue Poppy Enterprises.
Hao, JJ, Hao, LL. Wolfe, HL (2011) Chinese Scalp Acupuncture, Portland, OR. Blue Poppy Press
Video
Dr. Paul Lam: Tai Chi for Beginners Begin your journey to better health with Six Easy Steps and/or
Dr Paul Lam: Tai Chi for Life: Gentle Exercises for Seniors and Beginners
See additional book list for recommended text
IV. Evaluation Methods
Participants are required to complete the following:
Attendance of all Immersion Weekends
Successful completion of practicum and module test.
Participation in on-line modules and reading assignments.
Completion of 100 hours of clinical observation with a Licensed Acupuncturist.
V. Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine (AIM) Institute’s Code of Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is openness and honesty in all scholarly endeavors. AIM Institute is a scholarly community dedicated to the discovery, investigation, and dissemination of truth, and to the development of the whole person. Membership in this community is a privilege, requiring each person to practice academic integrity at its highest level, while expecting and promoting the same in others. Breaches of academic integrity will not be tolerated and will be addressed by the community with all due gravity.
VI. Accommodation & Emergency Information
If you have a disability and require an accommodation to fully participate in this class, contact the Program Director before the start of class or as soon as possible (360-349-7882), email: aiminst18@gmail.com, web: https://aiminst.org, .
If you have an emergency before or during the program that would prevent you from participating or completing the program or at any time during the program please let the director or any instructor know so that we can insure any medical or administrative needs are met.
VII. Technology Usage
Cell phones, computers, cameras, or other electronic devices may not be used in the classroom or clinical setting unless their use is directly related to learning in the course or clinical setting, and only with instructor permission.
VIII. AIM Institute Conduct Policy
AIM Institute recognizes the nature and challenges of learning a new conceptual model. What makes AIMI unique is the integration of clinical practitioners who clinically participate in different forms of medicine. Therefore, we ask that students respect and
learn from each other, extending the professional courtesies expected of medical professionals. It is the policy of AIMI to insure all students feel respected and safe and have the opportunity to learn in a comfortable and safe environment regardless of sex, gender or profession. If you have any concerns regarding the conduct of others or any instructor, please notify the director immediately. Also be aware that for students that display any form of behavior contradictory to the institutes policies, the institute reserves the right to dis-enroll the student and the tuition will be non-refundable.
IX. Schedule of Topics
See course schedule
For more information contact:
Contact Information:
Dr. Fujio McPherson, DAOM, ARNP, EAMP. Dipl. Ac.
Office #, 360-349-7882
email address: aiminst18@gmail.com
website: https://aiminst.org
Office Hours: By Appointments
Why take this course?
The Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine Institute (AIMI) is unique in many ways. Most of the acupuncture programs offered to western clinicians focus on the use of acupuncture as strictly a treatment option. Promoting the use of point formulas for specific disorders. AIMI, recognizes the importance and value of using Traditional Chinese Medicine not only based on its effectiveness at relieving pain or treating diseases but most importantly its ability to move and awaken the patients sense of awareness and how to use that response as a window to health.
Unlike, the medically oriented programs that interpret TCM based on the paradigm of a physical body, or traditional programs that are unfamiliar with medicine, AIMI teaches TCM theory in its true narrative based on the concepts and theories of Qi and how to use those theories to not only expand the clinical approaches to treatment but also to assess the patients progress and subsequent level of healing. Because AIMI focuses on training Nurse Practitioners and other types of clinicians, our inclusion of TCM does not exclude the review or use of western theories but rather incorporate those theories with TCM to demonstrate how the two can be used in an integrative practice. Finally, AIMI recognizes and respects that the true value of TCM is not to treat diseases but to enhance the ability of the patient to heal. And in order to accomplish this one must be knowledgeable and aware of TCM theory and how to apply it. Therefore, we devote an extensive amount of time in live practicums, using experienced Licensed Acupuncturists to help students become not only efficient in theory but in practice as well.
