Past EVENTS

2023

April 16: Kampo Grand Rounds Clinic, AIMC Berkley, California

About the Course: This day of patient care served to demonstrate clinical applications of Kampo Medicine. In-person patient encounters focused on a key clinical component of the Kampo system, Abdominal Diagnosis (Fukushin). Students observed and applied the precise exam technique, and interpreted findings as they relate to herbal treatment theory, as studied over the preceding weekend. The classical formulas previewed in the didactic course were discussed in relation to specific patient complaints and presentations. Participants had the opportunity to witness a senior provider at work. Observing the skill of matching abdominal findings with formula patterns provided a critical strategy for accurate prescribing and positive patient outcomes.  Registrants were encouraged to also enroll in the Intro to Kampo course (see above) taking place in the days prior to Grand Rounds. INTRODUCTION VIDEO

July 13: Fukushin Demo in China Town, 211 Grand Street, NYC

Kamwo herbal pharmacy in China Town hosted Nigel’s demonstration of Fukushin abdominal palpation with discussion and Q& A.

April 14-15: Introduction to Kampo Workshop, AIMC Berkley, California

About the Course: This 2 day course provided a basic introduction to Kampo Medicine, its history, theory and clinical application. The practical in-person component of the course focused on a key clinical component of the Kampo system, Abdominal Diagnosis (Fukushin). Students learned the precise exam technique along with the interpretation of findings as they relate to herbal treatment. Relevant classical formulas from the Shang Han Lun and the Jin Gui Yao Lue were discussed in relation to abdominal patterns and the “lock and key” approach of matching corresponding formula patterns with diagnostic patterns were explained. Proper diagnosis is critical for positive patient outcomes and is paramount to our success as practitioners and the abdomen is a critical diagnostic component of the Kampo treatment system. Learning the skill of matching abdominal findings with formula patterns provides a critical strategy for accurate evaluation. INTRODUCTION VIDEO

March 31-April 2: Fukushin (Abdominal Diagnosis) Workshop, AIM Toronto, Canada

About the Course: This workshop was hands-on and practical with the aim of introducing participants to the basics of abdominal palpation and its role in the Kampo tradition. This exploration is beneficial to practicing herbalists, but anyone with experience and background in East Asian Medicine canl also learn a great deal from the information shared and practice done. The abdomen represents the body's anatomical center, housing as it does the vital organs as well as forming its myofascial and structural core. In Asian systems of medicine, it is also the source of vital energy acting as a crucible for the mutual transmutation of acquired and pre-natal essence. It also represents a metaphysical cauldron in which the vital organs play a pivotal role, each acting as repository and catalyst for specific manifestations at the psychic and emotional level. Throughout the history and development of Traditional Asian Medical systems the abdomen has thus occupied a pivotal role in both diagnostic and treatment paradigms. In more recent times however, its significance in the clinic has dwindled and many practitioners, especially in modern China, rarely use it in practice. This has not been the case in Japan where, from the Edo Period in particular, Acupuncturists as well as Kampo and Shiatsu practitoners have each developed highly sophisticated methods of using the abdomen in assessment and practice. One such traditional method is that employed by modern herbalists (mostly MD’s) in Japan who use a detailed and highly specific form of abdominal palpation to obtain information which strongly influences the selection of herbal prescription. This workshop will present one of these methods of abdominal palpation currently practiced within the Kampo tradition as developed by Otsuka Yoshinori during the last century. Each abdominal conformation was presented and discussed from the perspective of practical herbal prescribing. A strong practical component ensured that the participants left the workshop with a firm grasp of the basics of how to obtain and interpret these abdominal findings. INTRODUCTION VIDEO

March 3-5: Kampo Blood Disorders Workshop, Santa Fe, New Mexico

About the Course: This advanced course in the diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders utilizing Kampo Sino-Japanese Herbal Medicine, was offered in March, 2023 in Santa Fe, NM. The seminar was open to prior students of the Kampo system interested in strengthening their Kampo foundation with a focus on blood disorders as well as to those who might be new to Kampo who wanted an introduction to the basics followed immediately with condition-focused study. Blood is the densest and most material of the 3 substances: 気血水 Ki Ketsu Sui (Qi Xue Shui). In the Kampo diagnostic hierarchy, problems at this level not only represent a deeper, more stubborn and likely more chronic imbalance but also take precedence in treatment hierarchy. In the Kampo dialectic, Blood pathology is synonymous with Blood Stasis (Oketsu) as impairment in the proper flow of blood is considered the initial stage of all blood disorders. Blood Stasis is also the inevitable result of the various different etiologies of blood patterns – Qi Stagnation, Heat, Cold and Dryness – all will lead to Oketsu. Thus Kampo considers the assessment and treatment of Oketsu a primary focus of patient care. Learning how to diagnose, differentiate and treat Oketsu is essential to a successful herbal practice. INTRODUCTION VIDEO