Acupuncture Training
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.
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 of training. If you are enrolling from another state, we advise you to check with your state board of nursing to ensure medical acupuncture is allowed and the criteria are the same.
ACUPUNCTURE & INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE INSTITUTE
Acupuncture Training: Course Syllabus
Winter, 2024
Course Number: 006
Course Title: Acupuncture Training Program
Credit Hours: TBA
Class Meetings
On campus classes: Friday-Saturday-Sunday 08:00 am – 5:00 pm
January 27, 28, 29, 2024
April 27, 28, 29, 2024
July 13, 14, 15 2024
October 12, 13, 14 2024
January 10, 11, 12, 2025
April 04, 05 2025
Location: Acacia Acupuncture
1800 Cooper Point Rd. SW, Bldg. 15, Olympia, WA. Specific Location TBA
Prerequisites: Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, MD
Faculty: Director: Fujio McPherson, DAOM, ARNP, LAc. Dipl Ac.
Cell: 360-349-7882
Personal E-mail:
Office Hours: By appointment
Catalog Description:
A 300-hour training course for primary care clinicians who want to incorporate the tenants of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into an Integrative Approach to Care. The course will review assessment, diagnosis and treatment of diseases using the theories and therapies of TCM in addition to reviewing concepts of healing and health, evidence-based practice and how to use the tenants of TCM as part of an integrative approach to health that focuses on medical/TCM treatment while individualizing therapies to promote health and healing.
Objectives
- Review and demonstrate knowledge of TCM theory.
- Demonstrate proper acupuncture techniques, differential diagnosis, and its application in clinical practice.
- Review how acupuncture therapies and collaboration with acupuncturist can be applied to clinical practice.
- Examine how the principles of TCM compare and facilitate the tenants of holistic medicine and health promotion.
- Review the evidence-based research regarding the efficacy of techniques used in TCM.
Lessons
The course material will be accessible after student enrollment and distributed during the immersion weekends via google drive, and/or thumb drive upon request. Handouts can be requested prior to the onset of classes at an additional cost and will be distributed in class and updated throughout the course. In addition, various electronic apps will be used to facilitate the learning experience to include on-line zoom conferences, smart phone apps and verbal communications as needed.
Readings And Other Course Materials
There are several texts that can be used for the course however, many can be acquired through e-text as well or smart phone apps. Specific reading assignments and course material will be distributed in class throughout the course. There will also be links to electronic resources necessary to prepare for class and to complete learning activities.
Recommended Text: Students can also opt for e-books and online apps when applicable. Below is a list of text referenced in lecture material, however, class specific text will be determined by instructor and included in the student class instructions.
Li, H. (2016). The Li Lineage of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, SRP Publishing, Shanghai China.
Macioca, G. (2005). The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text for Acupuncturist & Herbalist. Second Edition. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone.
Kaptchuk, T.J. (2000). The web that has no weaver. New York, NY: Contemporary Books.
Macioca, G. (2007). The Practice of Chinese Medicine. Second Edition. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone.
Macioca, G. (2004). Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Guide. New York, NY. Churchill Livingstone
Hammer, L. (2005) Dragon Rises, Red Bird Flies: Psychology & Chinese Medicine Seattle WA, Eastland Press
Concepts of Health – Flaws,B. Imperial Secrets of Health and Longevity, 2007, Blue Poppy Press, Denver,CO.
Attendance And Class Participation
You are required to attend on campus classes unless arrangements are made in advance. Your active engagement and participation are essential to having a meaningful learning experience. Participation in web-based modules requires that you meet all deadlines for the learning activities and successfully complete them. Lack of full participation will lead to a potential loss of CE credit or disenrollment from the course.
Practicums And Testing
Successful completion of module practicums and test are required to receive final certification from the course. If for any reason a participant is unable to successfully demonstrate competency in the practicum or pass a test on the first attempt all efforts will be made to repeat testing or provide interim tutoring if needed. This may require the participant to extent their stay by an additional day during the immersion weekend if needed.
Online Seminars/lectures - Online seminars/lectures are developed for introduction to the subject matter and will require additional time and readings to fully comprehend the content. If for any reason during the course, you feel you do not have a full comprehension of the material it is imperative that you inform the lead instructor via email or phone before the next immersion weekend since the course material is presented in an order that builds on previous lecture material.
Disability Statement
Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have a documented disability or hardships. Please notify the director and/or instructor before the start of the Quarter if you have any accommodation or transportation needs or requirements. Late notification may cause the requested accommodations to be unavailable.
COVID Precautions: the classroom and exam rooms are all equipped with air purification devices, yet restrictions will be based on current WA DOH policies and guidelines. Currently Mask, and mandatory Covid testing are optional, yet all students are encouraged to consider their personal health and those of other students and take the needed measures to ensure safety and self-care. This includes any illness or potential communicable disease.
Academic Honesty And Behavior
Integrity and ethical behavior are the expectation of the program. What makes this program so unique is that the course instructors are licensed acupuncturist and participants are western trained clinicians. Therefore, it is essential that we learn from each other without criticism or confrontation. Courtesy and respect are critical to the learning process, and anything less will not be tolerated either by students or instructors. If you have any concerns, please notify the program director immediately. However, AIM Inst. will retain the option to disenroll any disruptive student without tuition reimbursement.
Instructional Strategies:
Learning will occur using readings, discussions, in-class activities, web-based activities, and assignments. The instructor may change the syllabus as needed to facilitate student learning. Students are expected to have completed the assigned readings and other preparatory work as a basis for interaction. Faculty-student and student-student interaction will occur in the classroom as well as online through web-based modules or email as provided. Participants can always contact the course director Dr. McPherson via his email address at any time as well.
Web Based Modules
Most of the program will be web based however, immersion sessions will take place quarterly with a focus on practicums and introduction of complex theories. The web-based modules are designed to promote self-guided learning and foster interactions among the class members. Much of what makes this class interesting is the development and exchange of ideas. The goal of the web-based activities is to stimulate your interest and learning experience and create a venue for thought provoking dialogue that can be shared during the immersion weekends.
Tuition: all tuition must be paid in full prior to the completion of the program and certificates of completion are awarded. In consideration of individual circumstances there are several payment options available however, please notify the director of any hardships so that personal payment plans can be arranged if needed. Any tuition paid is non-refundable after the course begins.
Course Guidelines
- Practicums require each person to participate. Because the practicums will require students to perform acupuncture techniques and receive acupuncture therapy, participants must complete (admission forms) an informed consent to participate and agree to confidentiality standards when discussing student health issues.
- Practicums will be focused on students successfully demonstrating proper clean needle technique, point identification, proper needle placement and insertion techniques to include other acupuncture therapies (e.g., cupping, guisha, etc.).
- During the practicums, students will be placed in small groups of 4 and supervised by a Licensed Acupuncturist to ensure safety and time for individual instructions.
- During practicums, certain areas of the body will require exposure. To ensure privacy and comfort, we recommend that clothing be loose and there is proper coverage of other body areas. If at any-time the student feels uncomfortable receiving therapy, they should notify the instructor immediately and/or the course director if they perceive any level of non-professional or non-courteous behavior from an instructor or student.
- If you have physical disability or any concerns or aversions to participate in the forums or practicums, please call or e-mail the program director.
- Please keep track of due dates. These are in the syllabus and on-line. You will receive e-mail reminders as well.
- Although immediate changes to the course are difficult, our goal is to ensure your learning experience is the course is professional and valuable.
- Your feedback is very important to us. Please let us know at any-time how we can improve the course and your experience in it.
Grading
There are no letter grades for the course. Successful completion is based on demonstrating competency 1) successful completion of practicums; 2) test results 3) forum discussion 4) instructor evaluations.
Lack of class participation, failure to complete web-based assignments, and/or failure to complete the above will result in forfeiture of a certificate of completion and CE credit.
