Introduction

Course Overview: Embark on a profound exploration of channels and points, meticulously curated to offer unparalleled depth of knowledge. Each point will be meticulously dissected over the course of five modules:

  1. Overview: Delve into the essence of each point, unraveling its name, precise location, historical origins, and designated categories.
  2. Indications and Diseases: Uncover both classical and modern indications, delving into the ailments these points have historically and currently treated. Analyze the nuanced functions of each point within this context.
  3. Successional Indications and Combinations: Journey through history as we explore historical writings that illuminate the multifaceted uses of each point. Understand how these points have evolved over time and discover the potency of their combinations.
  4. Modern Clinical Masters: Gain invaluable insights from renowned acupuncturists who have mastered the art of utilizing these points in distinctive ways. Bridging the gap between theory and practical application, this module offers a bridge to effective clinical utilization.
  5. Case Studies: Synthesize your knowledge by examining diverse case studies, both historical and modern. Through these analyses, learn to apply these points effectively in a variety of clinical scenarios.


In-Depth Course Outline


Each course commences with an illuminating lecture on the channel itself. By referencing Lingshu Chapter 10, we explore the original pathways of these channels. Our analysis extends to channel-related ailments, elucidating which points hold the key to their treatment. Furthermore, we introduce pivotal points within the channels, offering an encompassing perspective on their indications and functions.

Key Focus Areas:

  1. Overview of the Point: Discover the rich dimensions of each point by unraveling its name, location, origin, and categorical significance. We dive into the uniqueness of point names using insights from renowned commentators like Yue Hanzhen and Gao Shiguo. Classical locations and historical references are explored, along with relevant point categories.
  2. Indications and Diseases: Move beyond mere point functions, and delve into the historical context that shaped their therapeutic roles. By revisiting original indications from Explanations of Channels and Points (1683 CE) and the insights of modern masters like Yang Jiasan and Cheng Dan’an, you'll understand how functions evolved across eras.
  3. Successional Indications and Combinations: Embark on a historical voyage, exploring texts like Qianjin Yaofang and Zhenjiu Daquan. Uncover the evolution of these points both individually and in conjunction with others, drawing from centuries of accumulated wisdom.
  4. Modern Clinical Masters: Having assimilated historical and theoretical perspectives, we bridge theory and practice. Modern clinical masters guide us through contemporary applications, lending a practical dimension that is often elusive in traditional teachings.
  5. Case Studies: Chinese medicine's rich history of case studies comes to life as we examine narratives from luminaries like Wang Juyi, Li Shizhen, and Yang Jizhou. By dissecting these cases, you'll gain the prowess to skillfully apply these points in diverse clinical scenarios.

Instructor

Michael Brown

Senior Instructor

Michael Brown is a scholar-practitioner currently residing in Brisbane, Australia. He has been practicing since 2009, except for a year when he was living in China. He completed an Honours of Classical Chinese in 2015 at UQ. In 2019 he and Allen Tsaur released their first translation, Explanations of Channels and Points Vol 1. In 2020, he edited the Complete Compendium of Zhang Jingyue Vol 1-3: Eight Principles, Ten Questions, and Mingmen Theory. In 2021 he released the second volume of Explanations of Channels and Points, which concluded the translation of this text. His main areas of research are on the classics of Chinese medicine as well as understanding literary trends within medical texts. In 2022, Michael edited Complete Compendium of Zhang Jingyue Vol. 50-51 Part 1: The Eight Battle Arrays of New Formulae with Commentaries and Supplementary Cases Studies. Currently, he is editing Part 2 of Jingyue’s formulae, as well as working on translating a pulse text from the Qing dynasty.