OM430-W1.pdf

Course Overview

  • Instructor: Dr. Daniel Maeng
  • Context: Focus on acupuncture treatment for internal medicine at Virginia University of Integrative Medicine.
  • Week 1 Objectives:
    • Review the safe practice of acupuncture.
    • Acupuncture treatment principles and protocol formulation.
    • Introduction to syncope (fainting).

Course Structure

  • Weeks 1-10:
    • 1: Safe practice and treatment principles
    • 2: Headaches and dizziness
    • 3: Facial pain and mouth deviation
    • 4: Insomnia and related issues
    • 5: Manic-depressive disorder
    • 6: Common cold, cough, asthma
    • 7: Abdominal issues (pain, distention, digestion)
    • 8: Exam reviews and preparations
    • 9: Final exam preparation

Required Texts

  1. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion (2009), Cheng Xinnong
  2. The Practice of Chinese Medicine (2008), Giovanni Maciocia

Assessments and Grading Criteria

  • 6 quizzes (30%)
  • 8 assignments (20%)
  • Midterm exam (25%)
  • Final exam (25%)
  • Passing grade: 70%

Faculty Communication

  • Contact via provided email; responses within 3 business days.
  • Grades and feedback posted within 72 hours.

Acupuncture Principles

  • Safe Practice includes:
    • Clean Needle Techniques (CNT)
    • Knowledge of anatomy related to acupuncture points
    • Appropriate needle length and depth.
Needle Selection
  • General lengths:
    • 25 mm (1 inch): Common for arms/legs
    • 40 mm (1.5 inches): Typically for lower back and abdomen
    • 60 mm (2.4 inches): Utilized for gluteal points
  • Insertion depths vary by region:
    • Head/neck: 0.3-0.7 in
    • Abdomen/low back: 0.7-1.5 in

Syncope

  • Definition: Temporary loss of consciousness due to inadequate blood flow to the brain.
  • Symptoms: Dizziness, weakness, pallor, and irregular pulse.
Etiology of Syncope
  1. Deficiency type:
    • Symptoms: Weakness, spontaneous sweating, cold limbs, and deep thready pulse.
    • Causes: Overwork, grief, exhaustion.
  2. Excess type:
    • Symptoms: Coarse breathing, rigid limbs, deep and excess pulse.
    • Causes: Emotional disturbances, anger, fear.
Acupuncture Treatment for Syncope
  • Deficiency treatment:
    • Principles: Reinforce qi; invigorate yang;
    • Key Acupuncture Points: Shuigou (GV 26), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36).
  • Excess treatment:
    • Principles: Promote resuscitation; regulate qi flow;
    • Key Acupuncture Points: Shuigou (GV 26), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3).
Clinical Differentiation of Syncope vs Seizure
CharacteristicSyncopeSeizure
Preceding SymptomsDizzinessAura or déjà vu
PositionMainly standingCan occur in any position
Tongue BitingRareFrequent
Confusion Post-EpisodeAlmost neverProlonged confusion

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the safe practice and treatment principles of acupuncture.
  • Learn to differentiate types of syncope and appropriate treatment methods.
  • Familiarize with evidence-based practices in acupuncture regarding syncope.

Assignments

  1. Research modern medical understandings of syncope: causes, mechanisms, treatments.
  2. Compare TCM perspectives on syncope: etiology, pathology, treatment principles, acupuncture points.
  3. Identify one scientific study on acupuncture for syncope, summarize findings and significance.

Conclusion

  • Emphasize the synthesis of knowledge from both traditional Chinese medicine and modern medical science to enhance understanding and treatment strategies for conditions like syncope.