California Acupuncture Continuing Education

• List the similarities in treatment associated with all acupuncture microsystems
• Describe and point out the location of 17 discrete hand acupuncture points
• Describe and recreate a useful somatotope associated with hand acupuncture
• Compare and contrast 3 different styles of hand acupuncture
• Describe specific needling techniques associated with those hand acupuncture points which require specific needling techniques and/or directions
• List the similarities associated with ear acupuncture and other acupuncture microsystems
• Describe and recreate a clinically-useful somatotope/homunculus associated with ear acupuncture
• Locate the physical structures of the ear, such as the helix, antihelix, triangular fossa, antitragus, etc.
• Describe and point out the location of the major landmarks for auriculotherapy point location
• Describe and point out the location of 36 or more discrete ear acupuncture points
• List the similarities associated with Chinese Scalp Acupuncture and other acupuncture microsystems
• Describe and find treatment areas associated with the somatotope of the cortex of the brain
• Describe and point out the location of the major landmarks, lines, and points, used to find Chinese Scalp Acupuncture treatment areas and lines.
• Describe and point out the location of the 10 most commonly used Chinese Scalp Lines/Areas
• Describe and find the correct layer for needling Chinese Scalp lines, and begin practicing the techniques needed to use this form of acupuncture in clinical practice.
• List the similarities associated with YNSA Scalp Acupuncture and other scalp acupuncture microsystems
• Describe and find treatment areas associated with the YNSA somatotope
• Describe and point out the location of the major landmarks used to find YNSA Scalp Acupuncture points.
• Describe and point out the location of the most commonly used YNSA Scalp Points
• Describe and find the correct procedure and needling technique for treating YNSA Scalp Points, and begin practicing the techniques needed to use this form of acupuncture in clinical practice.

• NCCAOM Approved for AOM-BIO 1 hour
• Develop diagnostic tools and complementary treatment approaches to Achilles tendinopathy and related Achiiles tendon issues
• Outline a complete approach to treatment from assessment to acupuncture to patient advice
• Discover major points and regions used most to treat Achilles tendon issues
• Apply palpation and needling concepts to regions affecting/affected by Achilles tendinopathy
• Devise treatment plans specific to the patient’s Achilles tendon issue

• NCCAOM Approved for AOM-BIO 1 hour
• Develop diagnostic tools and complementary treatment approaches to Morton’s metatarsalgia, capsulitis and forefoot pain
• Outline a complete approach to treatment from assessment to acupuncture to patient advice
• Discover major foot points and regions used most to achieve better treatment outcomes
• Apply palpation and “grid” needling concepts to regions affecting/affected by Morton’s metatarsalgia, capsulitis and forefoot pain
• Devise treatment plans specific to patient’s forefoot complaint

• NCCAOM Approved for AOM-BIO 1 hour
• Develop diagnostic tools and complementary treatment approaches to common foot disorders
• Outline a complete approach to treatment from assessment to acupuncture to patient advice
• Discover major points and regions used most to achieve better treatment outcomes
• Apply palpation and needling concepts to regions affecting/affected by foot disorders
• Devise treatment plans specific to patient’s foot complaint

• NCCAOM Approved for AOM-BIO 1 hour
• Develop diagnostic tools and complementary treatment approaches to Metatarsophalangeal joint pain, Turf toe and first Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint issues
• Outline a complete approach to treatment from assessment to acupuncture to patient advice
• Discover major foot points and regions used most to achieve better treatment outcomes
• Apply palpation and traction needling concepts to regions affecting the first metatarsophalangeal joint
• Devise treatment plans specific to patient’s first metatarsophalangeal joint complaint

• NCCAOM Approved for AOM-BIO 1 hour
• Develop diagnostic tools and complementary treatment approaches to heel pain, plantar fasciitis and plantar fascia disorders
• Outline a complete approach to treatment from assessment to acupuncture to patient advice
• Discover major points and regions used most to treat plantar fascia disorders
• Apply palpation and needling concepts to regions affecting/affected by heel pain, plantar fasciitis and plantar fasciopathy
• Devise treatment plans specific to the patient’s plantar fascia complaint

• NCCAOM Approved for AOM-BIO 1 hour
• Develop diagnostic tools and complementary treatment approaches to lateral ankle issues, inversion injuries and sinus tarsi syndrome
• Discover the association between lateral ankle injuries and sinus tarsi syndrome
• Outline a complete approach to treatment from assessment to acupuncture to patient advice
• Gain a better understanding of the distribution, pathology and function of the six leg muscle channels
• Devise a treatment plan specific to patient’s lateral ankle injury and sinus tarsi syndrome

• NCCAOM Approved for AOM-BIO 1 hour
• Develop diagnostic tools and complementary treatment approaches to tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Outline a complete approach to treatment from assessment to acupuncture to patient advice
• Discover major points and regions used most to treat issues related to the tarsal tunnel of the foot
• Apply palpation and needling concepts to regions affecting/affected by tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Devise treatment plans specific to the patient’s medial foot/tarsal tunnel complaint

Hour 1  Intro 

• Contrast benefits of non???thermal versus thermal lasers     
• Discuss the history and method of action of non???thermal lasers         
• Distinguish the unique benefits of non???thermal violet lasers     
• Demonstrate the easy of using non-thermal lasers      

Hour 2  Nutrition – Part 1   

• Utilize basic applied clinical nutrition information to support the foundation  for healing in patients   
• Explain the 4 keystones of health     
• Identify digestive dysfunction and create a plan for correction     
• Assess acid reflux and hypochlorhydria     

Hour 3  Nutrition – Part 2     

• Review the importance of gallbladder function in liver detoxification   
• Outline the basics of leaky gut   
• Explore the cascade of poor health   
• Integrate clinical tips and suggestions   

Hour 4  Case Studies   

• Recognize the opportunity of when to use non???thermal laser therapy and  which conditions respond best to it     
• Review non???thermal laser techniques for resolving immune, pain, brain and  organ system presentations   
• Discuss multiple non???thermal laser therapy applications     

Hour 5  Functional Lab Testing   

• Determine whether to treat empirically or test    
• Interpret basic laboratory values using functional levels   
• Selecting from the specialty lab test options for objective feedback and to  target treatment plans     

Hour 6  Non-Thermal Laser Applications   

• Integrate non???thermal laser therapy with acupuncture treatments for  exponential patient outcomes   
• Perform non???thermal laser treatments for FDA cleared conditions and  successful therapies for conditions not yet formally studied    
• Demonstrate using non???thermal laser for immune system strengthening and  faster infection resolution      
• Apply non???thermal laser techniques to balance energy or emotional centers  of patients to enhance acupuncture treatments

• NCCAOM Approved for AOM-Biomedicine 3 hours
• Identify the 3 types of acupuncture points and identify what a homeostatic point is
• Describe the phases (latent, passive and active) of acupuncture points
• Illustrate the anatomical characteristics that make up all acupuncture points
• Outline the location of 25 commonly used homeostatic acupuncture points
• Differentiate discrete anatomical characteristics that make up homeostatic acupuncture points
• Explain the common indications and cautions for use of the homeostatic acupuncture points
• Review the neuroanatomy of spinal nerves and explain how it relates to paravertebral (Bladder Shu) points
• Discuss and demonstrate needling technique for the homeostatic acupuncture points
• Demonstrate point location on live models

• NCCAOM Approved for AOM-Biomedicine 1 hour
• Discuss the layers of the skin as related to a practitioner’s perception during needling
• Review the neurological pathways involved with needling
• Summarize the local, segmental and cortical effects of needling
• Contrast the physiological effects of depth of insertion and retention time of needling

• NCCAOM Approved for AOM-Biomedicine 2 hours
• Describe and summarize the mechanisms by which acupuncture exerts effect on pain modulation and musculoskeletal function
• Describe joint and muscle mechanoreceptor anatomy and physiology and how they relate to acupuncture
• Define and discuss the ascending and descending neurological pathways affected by acupuncture
• Outline the importance of cortical representation and the sensory/motor homunculus and relate them to acupuncture points with examples
• Demonstrate the importance of the cerebellum and its role in acupuncture treatment of musculoskeletal disorders

• NCCAOM Approved for AOM-Biomedicine 1 hour
• Identify common acupuncture point classification groups
• Compare the use of different point categories in clinical practice
• Describe the point location for points within commonly used groups
• Explain the local anatomy and neurology involved with key points
• Outline indications for use of some points and point categories

• NCCAOM Approved for AOM-Biomedicine 1 hour
• Examine the origin of the Qi symbol
• Define Qi Identify and describe the types of Qi
• Explain Qi as it relates to triple warmer metabolism
• Describe and compare the types of Qi pathology
• Review the pertinent points on the Pericardium channel
• Explain how the neurological development of the brachial plexus relates to the pericardium meridian function
• Demonstrate the local anatomy of the pericardium channel in the upper extremity

• NCCAOM Approved for AOM-Biomedicine 2 hours
• Discuss the Ren Mai’s overall function
• Introduce a selection of clinically useful points on the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) meridian
• Discuss the Du Mai’s overall function
• Introduce a selection of clinically useful points on the Du Mai (Governing Vessel) meridian
• Explore the anatomy and indications surrounding LV14

• NCCAOM Approved for AOM-Biomedicine 1 hour
• Describe the origins of the 8 extra vessels and review Chinese embryology
• Review the locations and functions associated with each of the 8 extra vessels and extraordinary meridians
• Discuss the meaning of moving Qi between the kidneys, Ming Men, Dan Tien, Ching Mai, Ren Mai, Du Mai, Dai Mai, Yin Qiao Mai, Yin Wei Mai, Yang Qiao Mai and Yan Wei Mai

• NCCAOM Approved for AOM-Biomedicine 3 hours
• Describe the history of the San Jiao
• Associate the San Jiao to Vagal Nerve function
• Breakdown each of the 3 “burners” into their component parts
• Review the salient points on the San Jiao Meridian
• Summarize the function and indications of the Shu Points and apply that to the San Jiao channel

• NCCAOM Approved for AOM-Biomedicine 1 hour
• Explain how needle manipulation works on a physiological basis and extrapolate as to when to apply these techniques
• Summarize some of the more relevant literature surrounding the use of one of the most commonly used acupuncture points: Stomach 36
• Describe the physiology of tongue color, shape, coating and spirit (movement)
• Compare clinical examples of tongue appearance and identify key components of the tongue exam
• Interpret the meaning of clinical findings during the tongue exam and correlate them to physiology

• NCCAOM Approved for AOM-Biomedicine 1 hour
• Describe the functions of the 3 warmers/burners
• Apply the influential points for each burner/warmer
• Discuss the different types of Qi
• Summarize the formation of Qi, Jing, Shen, blood and pure fluids, according to Chinese medicine