Food Therapy is a branch of Chinese Medicine that uses food as preventative and curative therapy. This course examines traditional Chinese foods and diets, principles and philosophies TCM-based food therapy, and emphasizes the energetic effect of various foods, teas and spices after consumption.

Knowing how to properly work the neck and cervical region is a priority for any therapist. It’s one of the most common complaints seen in clinical practice. Learn to work on the neck, face and skull using manual therapy. Develop confidence in your perception and assessment of the structures and use effective tissue techniques to treat neck pain. This is a practical class with hands-on work.

Students are introduced to the basic philosophies and principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Topics covered include the history of acupuncture; theories of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements; organ-based theories; an exploration of the system of channels, collaterals and acupuncture points; vital substances such as qi, blood, body fluids and essence; constitutional characteristics that affect health and well being; an introduction to disease including etiological factors and pathogenesis; preventative concepts including lifestyle, exercise and diet; and diagnostic and therapeutic concepts inherent to Chinese Medicine. This course is recommended for students in their first two semesters of studies.

This course is designed for students not enrolled in a diploma program within the School of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. Natural health students are introduced to the basic philosophies and principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Topics covered include the history of acupuncture; theories of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements; organ-based theories; an exploration of the system of channels and collaterals; vital substances such as qi, blood, body fluids and essence; constitutional characteristics that affect health and well being; preventative concepts including lifestyle, exercise and diet; and diagnostic and therapeutic concepts inherent to Chinese Medicine. This course is recommended for students during their first three semesters of studies.

This course explores the roots of Chinese Medicine through a survey of the dynasties, philosophies, and historical events that have shaped the many facets of medical knowledge and practice in the Middle Kingdom. The intent of this course is to inform and remind modern practitioners of the vast history in which we all participate and to bring a greater understanding of the context from which this complex and ever-changing medicine comes.

This course introduces students to the fundamental theories and practices of Taiji Quan. Taiji Quan is the Chinese system of healing that uses specific movements and exercises that are intended to harmonize and improve both body and spirit. This course contains both theoretical and practical components.

Some exercises in this course involve physical touch. Participation is always based on informed consent; all touch is optional and consent must be clear and ongoing.v

This course introduces students to the fundamental theories and practices of Qi Gong. Qi Gong is the practice of controlling the flow and distribution of “life energy” in order to improve the health and harmony of the mind and body. This course contains both theoretical and practical components.

Some exercises in this course involve physical touch. Participation is always based on informed consent; all touch is optional and consent must be clear and ongoing.

Tui Na is a form of Chinese therapeutic massage that can be used alone or in conjunction with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Through both theoretical and practical components, students learn the basic principles and common therapeutic techniques of Tui Na, how to treat various common syndromes, and gain an understanding of how to apply those in a therapeutic setting. Some students find that the knowledge gained in BMS103 Surface Anatomy is helpful for this course.

Some exercises in this course involve physical touch. Participation is always based on informed consent; all touch is optional and consent must be clear and ongoing.

This course introduces students to the basics of Mandarin Chinese, including the Romanised alphabet known as Pin Yin. Pronunciation of this tonal language is emphasized as well as word recognition. Mostly terms relevant to the study of Traditional Chinese Medicine, including foundational terms, acupuncture point names and herbs names, are covered.

Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis involves the use of various palpatory, visual, olfactory, and inquiry techniques to determine the state of health and wellness of an individual. This course provides students with a thorough understanding of TCM diagnostic principles, which are applicable to acupuncture, herbology and other disciplines of Traditional Chinese Medicine. As mainstays in TCM diagnosis, tongue and pulse diagnosis are thoroughly explored, and all facets of diagnosis are covered both theoretically and practically. This course then continues with differentiation of syndromes based on the Eight Principles, Zang Fu differentiation, pathogenic factors, Six Channels, Four Levels and San Jiao.

Some exercises in this course involve physical touch. Participation is always based on informed consent; all touch is optional and consent must be clear and ongoing.

In this introductory course, students receive hands-on practice with pulse diagnosis in addition to a didactic introduction to pulse diagnosis fundamentals. This course is suitable for students seeking review in theoretical and diagnostic basics. The emphasis is on becoming familiar with feeling pulses early in a student’s studies, setting them up for continuous refinement in clinic.

Some exercises in this course involve physical touch. Participation is always based on informed consent; all touch is optional and consent must be clear and ongoing.

This course is intended for students who aim to expand their knowledge about Mandarin Chinese for TCM purpose as well as their conversational ability in the target language. TCM channels and points names in Chinese will be discussed to enhance students’ understanding of TCM concepts. Names of herbs and formula will also be incorporated in the class to support students who work at relevant courses. Mandarin Chinese sentences as exemplified by TCM classics will be reviewed.

As an extension to OM112 Introduction to Qi Gong, this course builds on previous knowledge and experience by integrating both table and floor work into an intermediate level course. Floor work allows students to experience a restorative practice. They work with different partners to experience Qi Gong from both patient and practitioner perspectives. Table work gives the patient’s body (muscles) an opportunity to settle into the structure (skeleton) causing the release of muscle tension and the relaxation of the nervous system. Through this process students gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between the muscles, joints, bones, ligaments, and tendons. Table work establishes a greater understanding of how the joints work using the full range of motion with passive movement. Students learn how the joints organize themselves and interact with each other. Table work helps the patient’s body to modify old and harmful patterns. The focus of the class is on building a greater awareness of holistic movements bringing the body’s energies into harmony.

Some exercises in this course involve physical touch. Participation is always based on informed consent; all touch is optional and consent must be clear and ongoing.

In Advanced Taiji Quan students will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the more subtle requirements of practice.  A greater emphasis will be made on the martial arts origin of Taiji Quan and we will explore the unique practice of Tui Shou – Pushing Hands.  In addition we will explore the relationship and similarity of Taiji Quan to the other orthodox Nei Jia arts of Xingyi Quan and Baguazhang.

In Chinese tradition, Five Elements is a system by which interactions within living beings and between living being and nature can be explored and explained based on general traits associated with the elements known as Wood, Fire, Earth Metal and Water. Students learn the history of the Five Element perspective within TCM, the fundamental characteristics of each element and the application of this branch of study to Chinese Medicine. The psychological and behavioural implications are explored in depth, as is the integration of Five Element and TCM Diagnosis.

This course introduces students to simple and incredibly effective methods for treating pain and many other imbalances using a channel-based approach. These acupuncture-specific methods are often more immediate and direct than standard TCM, and do not require extensive syndrome diagnosis. With channel-based acupuncture, we learn to adjust the Qi as it flows through the channels to create immediate change. The product of over 15 years of teaching and practice, this course has been designed to be the simplest, most immediately relevant content that a beginning or experienced practitioner could learn to increase their clinical effectiveness. This course will also include integrating channel-based approaches with easy to learn pulse diagnosis methods to create powerful treatments targeted to where your patient needs it most.

*** Note that this course is delivered both through live online sessions and prerecorded videos which makes it ineligible for student aid. The hours for this course will not be counted towards your student aid eligibility.

This course gives students a solid and experiential understanding of the 5 element system and its application in clinical practice. Topics covered include the characteristics of each element, the relationships between them, and practical diagnostic and treatment methods. Students will learn to recognize and work with the elements as they manifest in patients and in themselves, and to bring them into balanced and healthy function. We will also cover how to identify and work with blocks according to the 5 element system and understanding how the 5 elements can be a powerful aid to working with human psychology.

*** Note that this course is delivered both through live online sessions and prerecorded videos which makes it ineligible for student aid. The hours for this course will not be counted towards your student aid eligibility.

Through the investigation and review of past coursework, practical techniques, and case studies, student utilize their prior knowledge in a challenging and theoretical manner. In order to prepare students for various licensing exams, and for providing their patients with optimal care, this course helps students organize straight forward and challenging concepts and cases efficiently and thoroughly for both theoretical and practical application.

Students utilize their prior knowledge and in a challenging and theoretical manner in the investigation and assessment of both theoretical and actual clinical cases. Assessments of both straightforward and challenging cases prepare students for providing patients with the optimal treatment plan. Since this course requires a strong base in TCM knowledge, it is an excellent review course in general, but is essentially a course to advance a student’s knowledge and ability to work with complex diagnoses in order to be fully prepared for the post-graduate clinical setting.

In this intermediate course, students build on skills developed in OM204 Introduction to Pulse Diagnosis to move from pulse sensation to clear clinical interpretation and Zangfu diagnosis. Emphasis is on integrating pulse qualities with three burner, Zang and Fu organ findings to support confident, clinically relevant assessments.

Shi Liao is a branch of Chinese Medicine that uses food as preventative and curative therapy. This course examines traditional Chinese foods and diets, Shi Liao principles and philosophies and emphasizes the energetic effect of various foods, teas and spices after consumption.

This course examines one of the most monumental texts in the history of Chinese Medicine, the Huang Di Nei Jing, and investigates its impact on both historical and modern day practices.

This course examines a major school of Chinese Medicine known as the Wen Bing Xue and surveys two major texts in Chinese Medicine: the Jin Gui Yao Lue and the Shang Han Lun. Students learn the differentiation of pathogenic cold and warm diseases and the vast pharmacopoeia of herbal formulas that apply.

This course surveys major texts in Chinese Medicine: Nan Jing, Yi Jing, and Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing. Student also explore the similarities and differences of the major TCM classical texts and schools of thought.

This course is a continuation of both CBOT411 and ACU211/2, covering a wider expanse of internal pathologies including less commonly seen disorders and difficult to treat conditions.

Psychology in Traditional Chinese Medicine is viewed from a holistic perspective in which mental, emotional and physical health are interrelated. This course is a detailed exploration of the psyche in Chinese Medicine and investigates the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders using philosophies and modalities of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.

This course examines the effects of aging on health and wellness. Emphasis is placed on age-related illnesses and diseases, psychological factors, dietary concerns and special treatment techniques for assisting elderly patients. This course also examines advanced conditions in TCM Pediatrics.

Students blend their prior knowledge with advanced information pertaining to modern TCM practice and apply it in a challenging and theoretical manner. Working individually and as teams, students organize straightforward and challenging concepts and cases efficiently and thoroughly for both theoretical and practical application and create effective treatment plans.