Workshop Calendar

Refining Needlecraft and Exploring Diverse Cupping Techniques

with Anne Vardy, October 15-29, 2023

Workshop Information

This workshop is designed to provide lots of hands-on practice. Students should come in loose, comfortable clothing and be prepared to both receive and give needles and cups over the course of the workshop. The workshop will be broken up into sections with Needles in the mornings and Cups in the afternoon.

Day 1 Morning – Needling

Discussion and practice of Needling techniques to Tonify and Reduce

A review of the basic methods used to tonify and reduce points, including techniques like Lifting and thrusting, Twirling and Rotating, Speed of insertion and Direction of Needle. We will also cover some of the extra methods that can be used if you don’t feel you are able to obtain Qi, including techniques like, Flicking, Scraping, Shaking, and Flying the needle.

Once we have reviewed the how and why students will be able to practice techniques on each other.

On Day 1 students will be given the opportunity to add to a list of points they are not feeling conﬁdent in needling, have never needled or feel are too dangerous to needle.

Day 1 Afternoon – Cupping

This day will cover Fire cupping and what to do once you have the cups on. Topics like how and why you modify your ﬂame to adjust your suction for diﬀerent conditions. What do you use cupping for other than musculoskeletal, can you do an entire acupuncture treatment only with cups. What is ﬂash cupping for and how do we do it. Students will have time to practice using the cups with a little more thought to treatment planning with cups and not as an add on to an acupuncture session for sore muscles.

We will also touch on the plastic pump style cups and if there are any reasons to use them over glass or the other way around. If you are using them, how do you use the pump to gain the proper suction.

Day 2 Morning – Needling

Day 2 will focus more on needling practice of points that are not as commonly used. We will include areas of the body like eye and points on front of throat, Huatojiaji points and the scalp. Speciﬁc points and areas of concern contributed by students will also be reviewed.

We will look at positioning of the body for needling some of the common points. How do you needle points like GB20 face up and ST36 or LV3 facedown? What would you do if you were working on a pregnant patient wanting to stimulate labor at the end of a pregnancy and you need to needle GB21 with the patient seated and leaning over the table?

This morning will be very directed by what points students have or haven’t needled and what they are feeling uncomfortable about needling.

Day 2 Afternoon – Cupping

Day 2 will focus on using silicone cups to do fascial work with the cups. We will talk about scar tissue and how to release the fascia and holding patterns on the full length of a meridian by moving silicone cups in the opposite direction along the length of the meridian. Students will be shown some basic stretches and positions to have patients in while they are doing fascial work on a meridian.

If there is time, we may also do a demonstration of cupping on the face to treat conditions like TMJ, sinus congestion and Bell’s palsy.

Workshop Instructor

Anne Vardy has been practicing Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine since 2001. She began her studies of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Victoria and continued with a hospital internship in China. In addition to running her own practice for many years, she have also worked as a college instructor and clinical supervisor.

Through acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, she strives to treat the entire physical body, emotional state, and overall well-being of her clients.

Prerequisites

ACU113/114

Valid CTCMA registration

Workshop Dates

Sundays, October 15 and 29, 2023, 9:00am-5:00pm

Workshop Format

In-person at Pacific Rim College campus in Victoria, BC.

Workshop Tuition

Regular – $325 (Early Bird – $300, until September 5)
Students* – $300 (Early Bird – $275, until September 5)
PRC Alumni – $310 (Early Bird – $285, until September 5)

*PRC diploma students will receive 1 ACU/OM academic credit for this workshop.

Withdrawal Policy

For workshop withdrawals submitted in writing 30 days or more before the start of the workshop, registrants will receive a full tuition refund less a $40 non-refundable registration fee. For workshop withdrawals submitted in writing more than 14 days but less than 30 days before the start of the workshop, registrants will receive a 50% tuition refund. Without exception, no refunds will be given for withdrawals less than 14 days before the start of the workshop.