Ma Danyang Heavenly Star Points in the Clinic; Needling & Bodywork Integration III

Taught by 25 year China Veteran Andrew Nugent-Head, this Seminar is Module 4 of ATS' collaboration with the Tri State College of Acupuncture to offer a 300 hour post graduate course: Acupuncture in Orthopedics and Rehabilitation. Click here to sign up for the complete program on TSCA's website, or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register for any individual seminar.

Module 4 introduces the final piece to be confident and effective in the field of physical injury treatment: acupuncture channel theory and clinical application. To this point, we have learned to:

1. ensure tangible Qi is the foundation of our treatment;

2. clearly use acupuncture and bodywork to Tonify or Disperse

3. treat injuries through bodywork and Ashi needling

4. integrate the all important concept of Stagnation and Stasis in viewing trauma

By using the Ma Danyang 12 Heavenly Star Points as our vehicle, we now bring what we are all most familiar with into the clinical theater: the twelve channels and point functions. We do it, however, with a focus on orthopedics and rehabilitation, and at a level of inquiry rarely discussed by acupuncturists today. Not only can channel theory be applied to obvious physical injuries, it is the key to treating the issues which western medicine cannot point to a specific cause. Atrophy, deep achyness, wandering pain, groaning with movement, inability to lift the limbs despite a desire to do so... all are problems addressed by the Heavenly Star Points because of their functions and channels they belong to. Knowing the why of the twelve most important points in acupuncture means knowing the why of every other point on the body.

Note: This seminar begins first with a review the Eight Storing Qi and Developing Sensitivity Exercises, recap the treatment theories and treatment techniques covered to date, and follow up with a Question and Answer session based on previous modules. This Q&A is followed up by an intensive dialogue on technique integration within participants' clinics after 5 months of practice in the techniques thus far taught.

This is followed by an introduction to more advanced needling and bodywork integration techniques drawn from the group discussion. Andrew focuses the demonstration of Qi based needling and bodywork integration methods based on the practical issues raised by the participants in their own practices. All seminars include partnered practice and guided practice time using both needles and bodywork. Friday and Saturday night from 5-7 PM participants continue to staff the Daoyin clinic.

Teaching Daoyin Health Practices to Patients: December 10 This three day intensive seminar is followed by Grand Rounds focusing on applying the content covered this seminar. In Grand Rounds, Andrew treats actual patients in a clinical situation while talking about his treatment methods and accepting questions from the group during the process. The Grand Rounds Clinic features an overhead camera broadcast to monitors for the audience to follow his hand and needling techniques clearly. The other half of the day will focus on the therapeutic use of Daoyin practices in clinic and further Daoyin practice.