DAY 1 – Friday 4 August 2023 – (8.75 CPD points)
08:30–18:30, Conference
DAY 2 – Saturday 5 August 2023 – (7.75 CPD points)
08:30-17:30, Conference
19:30-23:30, Gala Dinner
DAY 3 – Sunday 6 August 2023 – (5.75 CPD points)
8:30-15:30 Conference
The full conference program is expected to be available late March 2023.
Now take a glimpse below at some of the highlights at AACMAC 2023:
‘Detecting Channel Qi’ (Hands-on workshop)
presented by Janice Walton-Hadlock (US)
Detecting the flow of a patient’s channels is the most accurate way to form a diagnosis and make a treatment plan, according to the Nei Jing. “The flow of channel Qi (Qi Se) is like the sun: the source of our energy. Tongue and pulse are like moonlight: merely reflections of what is happening in that moment.”
By using channel diagnosis with every patient, I figured out the channel aberrations that cause “incurable” syndromes ranging from intrinsic asthma, to “congenital” club foot, Parkinson’s disease and Dupetryn’s contracture.
By noting the three channel aberrations found in all people with COVID and Long-COVID, I figured out why COVID-19 was causing its particular symptoms, and how to quickly turn it off. The treatment protocol for COVID and Long-COVID has been approved by the United State’s NIH (National Institutes of Health: www.CovidTreatment.info).
The class handout includes the first chapter of my book Tracking the Dragon, which teaches how to detect channel Qi while holding your hand an inch or so above your patients’ clothing. With practice, you can master this crucial diagnostic art. This class teaches you how to use the information you get from detecting a patient’s flow of channel Qi: the real meaning of “Excess” and “Deficient” conditions.
The Spiritual Pivot [Nei Jing], Ling Shu chapter 11-5 says: “It is by virtue of the twelve channels that human life exists, that disease arises, that human beings can be treated and illness cured. The twelve channels are where beginners start and masters end.”
‘Fibromyalgia: the case of the missing fight or flight’ (Hands-on workshop)
presented by Janice Walton-Hadlock (US)
Fibromyalia is caused by insufficient channel qi flow over the amygdala and adrenal glands. This channel insufficiency is usually due to a long-unhealed physical trauma to the forehead. When the area of UB-3, -4, and/or -5 is sufficiently blocked, UB channel Qi converts to wave form, and exits the body at the hairline, as an electromagnetic wave. This wave energy can easily be felt by a trained hand, as it fountains off into space, leaving little or no channel Qi in the Bladder channel.
When this happens, insufficient Bladder channel Qi passes directly over the amygdala (UB-7). Insufficient Bladder channel Qi prevents activation of the first divergence, which regulates the release of adrenaline. The amygdala and adrenal glands, both regulated by the Bladder channel, are crucial components of the sympathetic, “fight or flight” response. In fibromyalgia, neither of these body parts is getting much input, thus inhibiting movement and vigor. Without adrenal support, physical activity might be sluggish or painful.
The Bladder channel is “Closest to the Exterior.” When blocked, the Bladder channel Qi can shoot into space. Other channels, when impeded, might “Attack” (flow into) the pathway of another channel. Channels always follow the path of least resistance. For the Bladder channel, the path of least resistance is very often the sky. This aspect of Chinese medical theory will be discussed in this workshop.
More importantly, this workshop teaches how to induce healing to the forehead injury – an injury usually long-forgotten and even dissociated. Mere needling might not help.
‘Parkinson’s disease: an example of being stuck on pause mode’
presented by Janice Walton-Hadlock (US)
Parkinson’s is a curable syndrome. TCM recognizes four neurological modes: parasympathetic, sympathetic, sleep, and pause. The “Four Phases” are discussed in SuWen 13-9. The Primary channel routes occur in parasympathetic mode.
Pause mode occurs during imminent death or coma. On pause, Stomach channel runs backwards, Du channel stops at the neck, Bladder channel leaves the body at the neck. People with Parkinson’s use pause mode to go through life, often since childhood. When pause is turned off, the symptoms of Parkinson’s disappear.
This class also discusses chronic pause in people with other health syndromes. In pause mode, the subconscious mind says death might be imminent. The body puts its focus on not dying. It doesn’t attempt to perform normal healing or register normal awareness of physical or emotional pain. For example, while running from a lion, a broken femur causes no hurt, and the body does not engage in healing it.
In any health situation featuring failure to heal, failure of bones to knit, failure to respond to treatment, illnesses of “unknown origin” or “incurable illnesses”, you should consider a diagnosis of pause mode. Acupuncture treatments will not get lasting results if a person is stuck on pause. Turning off pause must come first.
Symptoms of being stuck on pause mode can include: anxiety, insomnia, paranoia, inability to cry or express emotions, constipation – itching skin, pain, choking, or nausea for “no reason” – “out of body” feeling, faint voice, feet/hands numb, “stiff person syndrome”, and Parkinson’s disease.
‘Chinese medicine, nature and health’
presented by Peter Deadman (UK)
Post-heaven qi is normally discussed in terms of food, drink and air – the inputs we receive from the environment that build qi and support human life. But Chinese medicine has also long recognised that we are an inseparable part of the macrocosm – the natural world. Its most basic theories – yinyang and five phases – place us at the heart of nature. This presentation will look at the central importance of nature in Chinese medicine and consider the ever-growing body of research that links nature and health.
‘Chinese Medicine Psychology in Practice’
presented by Mary Garvey (NZ)
In the Chinese medicine clinic, our consultations frequently touch on, or focus on, the client’s psychological state. As the study of the conscious and unconscious mind, its functions, behaviours, feelings and thoughts, psychology in the West is a fairly recent discipline, just over 100 years old. Similarly in Chinese medicine, psychology has only recently been recognized as an important branch of practice, although its roots – its classical terms, concepts, categories and treatments – are very old indeed. This talk is based on our book, Chinese Medicine Psychology, where Professor Qu and I present a comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of Chinese medicine psychology.
Every person’s life story and current health conditions will include information not only on their physical and physiological state, but also signs and symptoms reflecting their mental activities and emotional responses. Whether the client’s priority is physical or psychological wellness, a deep understanding of Chinese medicine theory allows us to navigate and interpret these sometimes complex presentations. Our clinical interpretations guide diagnosis, and accurate diagnosis is the key to successful treatment. The talk will begin with an overview of Chinese medicine psychology theory, and include a discussion of cases to illustrate appropriate treatment strategies.
‘Quantifying the Ruler: How Heart Rate Variability Connects our Cells to the Universe’
presented by Mel Hopper Koppelman (US)
Heart rate variability is emerging as the single best quantifiable biomarker of disease risk and resilience. It can be measured non-invasively and be used to track treatment progress in clinic. But what is it exactly and how does it relate to models of physiology from Chinese Medicine? In this talk, Mel will take you through how a tour of how physiology works, from the cosmos to your cells, and how our heart rhythms conduct our internal orchestra and can give us clues as to impending illness and longevity.
‘Innovative cupping techniques utilising the modern silicone cups’ (Workshop)
presented by Terry Hitzke (AU)
Chronic knee pain is a common presentation in our clinics. To get consistent results requires a wholistic approach that considers that patient’s natural biomechanics, how they have responded to their pain, how they have used their knees in the past and an understanding of what factors that could be preventing healing.
Join me to learn about some principals and techniques that, although they are important, are not generally taught or considered. Principals and techniques that can bring more consistency to your outcomes and that you can apply to other areas of the body.
