Postgraduate - UnitCMA4001 - History and philosophy: Channels and points

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Synopsis

The unit covers:
An introduction to medical acupuncture which includes a discussion of the terms used and an explanation of these terms in modern medical thought.
Knowledge of the history of acupuncture is important in understanding that observation was the most important historical factor in the production of this method of medical care. The philosophy was based around the religion at the time and observation of the many factors that affect the way people react to their environment. This is important to understand the methods of choice of points, which form the last part of this subject.
The channels and points and micro acupuncture system will be fully discussed. This system can be seen as a complex underground transport system, with only the station (points) able to be located. The acupuncture points are described anatomically, and can - after demonstration and practice - be palpated clinically. Hence the need for practical clinical tuition. A knowledge of how the channels run helps the clinician to group points together for maximal therapeutic effect, based on thousands of years of observation.

Outcomes

By the end of this unit candidates should be able to:

1. Reflect on the philosophy of acupuncture arising from the historical perspectives dealt with in the introduction in the course.
2. Describe the correspondences, and the laws of acupuncture and the way these laws work in practice.
3. Demonstrate that a lot of good simple acupuncture therapy can be practised without an in-depth knowledge of TCM, using a western medical approach.
4. Demonstrate that many of the more difficult patients in the western sense do in fact fit more simply into the TCM patterns and that it is in these patients that TCM is of immense value.
5. Be able to describe the course of each channel and its internal connections, describe the major points of the channel and the correct way of finding them, and their actions. Special points eg; influential points, alarm and associated points, area of influence points, source points and points which have a special influence on various bodily activities. They should also be able to describe the correspondences of each organ complex and hence embrace the understanding of the philosophy of acupuncture into this subject, within the western medical model of care.

Assessment

Journal (100%)

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Paul Ghaie