TCM Exam Study Notes

Exam Preparation - Group Discussions & Mock Quiz

Group Presentations and Discussions

• Group leaders manage presentation order.
• Groups can present questions/answers or discuss mock quiz questions.
• Emphasis on group discussion, focusing on questions.
• Class breaks into breakout rooms to stay with assigned groups.
• Contact instructor for group reassignment if needed.
• Discussions last 30 minutes, followed by a review before the quiz.
• Mock quiz and sample questions are similar but not identical to the actual quiz.
• Additional time is provided as a practice, but speed is crucial for the exam.
• Aim to practice speed and test-taking skills like real exams.
• Challenging pace encourages better preparation for time-limited exams.

Group Discussion Highlights

• Groups reviewed questions, answers, and origins during discussion.
• Focused on Markowitz questions and identifying confusing areas.
• Divergent channels are associated with Zangfu organs.
• Eight extra channels regulate blood and chi of the 12 regular channels (page 22 of notes).
  • Assist in strengthening the association between the 12 regular channels.
• Connecting channels link external, internal, and lower aspects.
• Primary channels relate to elbows and knees, while sinew channels relate to muscles.

Five Transport Points

• Mnemonics used to remember associations.
  • Surface level pertains to Jing-Well points for mental disorders.
  • Spring fever relates to febrile diseases at the Ying-Spring point.
  • Six Fu organ dysfunctions connect to the He-Sea point.
  • Stream points for heaviness and joint pain linked to dampness issues.
  • Rivers flow, connecting to breath-related functions.

Specific Points

• Vital essence links to influential points.
• Influential points touch she, blood, tendon, vessel and everything.
• Downward fluency corresponds to lower He-Sea points.
• Zangfu organs connect to front-Mu and back-Shu points with qi infusion (page 38 of notes).
• Blood disorders associate with xi-cleft points.

Acupuncture Needling Accidents

• Key scenarios and remedies:
  • Fainting: manage nervous tension.
  • Chest depression/pain (pneumothorax): relate to lung issues.
  • Stuck needle: muscle spasm relief via nearby needle insertion.
  • Bent needle: reposition patient for removal.
  • Broken needle: remove with forceps.
• Causes include muscle spasms, poor needle quality, nervous tension, and improper technique.

Mock Quiz Review

• Emphasis on understanding why answers are correct or incorrect and connecting back to the textbook.
• Extra channels possess their points (e.g., Du and Ren),
• Yang Ming channels run laterally, yin channels relate to zang organs, and the time clock should be L.I at 5-7am.
• Connect Zangkul Organs and transport Qi.
• Imbalance occurs.
• Acupuncture regulates but does not "transport" channel qi.
• Dysfunctional channels display reactive changes (tenderness).
• Channels link internal and external zang-fu organs.

Measurement Units

• Measurements should be according to the bone measurement proportional unit:
• Glabella to the anterior hairline.
• Tip of the malleolus to the heel.

Concepts

• Acupoints are reactive to disease and transport Qi or Zang Fu organs.
• Name of acupoints relate the loacation or theraputic propeties.
• Brandmoor and Baxter points treat internal organs.
• Safe needling areas and points to avoid like Fontanel of infants include pregnancy and weakness.
• Pneumothorax risks need to be understood.
• Each student gets a randomized quiz.

Reinforcement Techniques

• Important to distinguish various tonifying techniques:
  • Slow insertion and rapid withdrawal are reducing techniques.

12 Regular Channels Concepts

• Yang divergent and channels in the regular channels.
• Bone measurements is a must, but for Adults or children thin or obese.
• Depth of the needle is the key to safety in area to focus.

Test Policies and Procedures

• Exam format: Class Marker is used.
• Students get a link, and must enter first name, last name, and e-mail.
• Full face is required and camera on.
• Closed Book test and cheating is not condoned.
• Test proberties belonging to the school.
• All questions must be answered.
• Test are also given in random order.