TRAINING


The NY Kampo Institute is based in Manhattan and offers post-graduate training in Acupuncture, Shiatsu and Kampo both nationally and internationally. Its flagship program is a professional training in Kampo known as the Kampo Internship (description below).

The Institute’s programs are hosted by institutions and individuals with a commitment to the dissemination of traditional Japanese medicine to their graduate communities. Previous programs have been hosted nationally in New York, Santa Fe, San Diego, Amherst, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Berkeley and internationally in Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto, Lisbon and Brisbane.

Monthly online Study Groups (see below) are offered for all graduates of the Institute throughout the year as part of its ongoing continuing education initiative.

Program Description:

This program offers a post-graduate internship in the theory and practice of Kampo medicine, the system of traditional Herbal Medicine (utilizing Chinese Herbs) as currently practised in Japan. This system offers practitioners familiar with the basics of TCM and other East-Asian medical models the opportunity to learn a direct, hands-on, clinical approach to the practice of Herbal prescribing. Emphasis is placed on a pragmatic approach to patient assessment and management including a specialized focus on Fukushin (abdominal diagnosis).

The complete training consists of 8 Modules with 3 days training per module, totaling 24 days, and 200 hours over a 1 or 2 year period. Other scheduling formats are also possible including 6 x 4-day modules or 4 x 6-day modules depending on need.

The program is comprised of the following four integrated but distinct components:

1. Theory

Basic Kampo theory will be studied including the concept of the Byo Sho (Disease Pattern), Taishitsu Sho (Constitutional Pattern), Yaku Sho (Formula Pattern), Qi, Blood and Fluid theory, Icho Kyojaku (weak gastro-intestinal function), Hie Sho (Coldness Pattern) and unique diagnostic specialties such as Fukushin (abdominal diagnosis). Emphasis will be placed on understanding the complexities of the patient Sho (conformation), which includes their presenting pathology but also involves detailed constitutional analysis and subjective patient complaints.

2. Formulas

120 commonly used Kampo formulas (mostly from the Shang Han Lun and Jing Gui Yao Lue) will be studied (all commonly available from Japanese and Taiwanese herbal granule suppliers). Some 15 or so original formulas written in Edo period Japan (1603-1865) will also be studied alongside those of Classical Chinese origin. The unique Sho and clinical narrative conforming to each respective formula will be examined in detail including modifications and derivatives.

3. Therapeutics

Kampo therapeutics (internal medicine) will be studied. Disease manifestations will be examined according to their physiological systems (eg: Circulatory Disorders, etc.) and will be systematically examined according to their specific Sho (or differential diagnostic pattern expressed in terms of relevant formula applications). The study will include the clinical specialities of Dermatology, OBGYN, Paediatrics and Gynecology.

4. Kampo Clinical Training Seminar Series Teaching Clinic

The clinic experience is conducted in small groups in a “grand-rounds”. setting, where students are asked to participate in all aspects of clinic assessment, including pharmacy management and herb formula prescription and dispensing. Careful attention is paid to the practice of the detailed diagnostic procedures essential to an accurate application of appropriate herbal formulas.

Brisbane, Australia 2022 Workshop

Kampo Study group

Monthly online Kampo Study Groups are offered by way of continuing education through the NY Kampo Institute in conjunction with our colleagues at the High Desert Hari Society in Santa Fe, NM.

Here is the schedule for this year’s online study group:

https://www.kampoherbology.com/events (See Ongoing Events)

For more info and subscription, go to:

https://highdeserthari.org/kampo-study-group-subscription/

There is an option for subscribing quarterly or yearly, with savings if you subscribe for the year. 


The focus each month will be a chapter in Dr. Otsuka’s “30 Years of Kampo” and in preparation for the online class participants will be asked to do the following: 

  • Review the formulas listed in the chapter being reviewed. We will dive into one chapter per month, with Chapter 11 being covered over 2 months.

  • Read through all the cases in the relevant chapter and note down any questions or comments on any of the cases be ready to share with the group.

  • Select ONE formula from the relevant chapter that you have prescribed in the clinic and prepare a very brief summary of your case experience with that formula. Please NOTE: This is NOT a fully written-up case study, just a case vignette (rather like the Otsuka ones) so that it can be read by you in just a few minutes in class. We should have time for several of these vignettes to be shared each month.

  • What people are saying about Nigel’s online Kampo study group:

    “Nigel presents herb study in a clear and very usable way. Always with the addition of Fukushin diagnosis, constitution, presentation of symptoms and his extensive clinical expertise. I have been studying with Nigel for a number of years now and am always looking forward to Kampo Study Group to learn more about the clinical applications of formulas in different disease processes. Even though I have attended the certificate workshop several times, I feel some of the real clinical pearls come out in the study groups where there are case studies and group discussions. It's always better each time with Nigel and I am grateful for his continued passion and interest to keep refining the materials for the best use. I highly recommend the Kampo Study group no matter where you are in the world!! “

    ~ Rande Lucas, LAc

    “These study groups have been an excellent opportunity for me to reinvigorate my study of Kampo medicine.  After each class I am inspired to redouble my efforts in the clinic to diagnose and prescribe within the Kampo framework.  Nigel lectures provide valuable insights into the formulas and their clinical applications and I appreciate Nigel’s passion and continued dedication to spreading Kampo.  I highly recommend the study group for anyone interested in Kampo medicine.”

    ~ Ehrland Truitt, DOM

    “Studying Kampo Medicine with Nigel Dawes of The New York Kampo Institute is a completely new venture for me and living on another continent makes learning a little more challenging.  With so much to learn in the two year Kampo medicine course, joining the study group felt like a natural complement.  Thanks to the combined effort of The High Desert Hair Society and The New York Kampo Institute, studying Kampo Medicine was fun. The Study Group consisted of monthly zoom meetings that I found added context to what I was learning.  The curriculum is set out for the year, so no surprises.  During each session you have the opportunity to engage with the group as if you are in a ‘virtual’ classroom.  Nigel encourages engaged discussion on topical issues, relevant questions about formulas and clinical cases.  He is always prepared with notes and quizzes sent prior to the meetings and slide presentations during the meetings for clarity and direction. The High Desert Hari Society made it easy to catch up on missed study groups thanks to the audio that followed in my email inbox that same week.  I feel I have had a jump start with my monthly study group and would happily continue it as a graduate for the essential contact with like minded practitioners for honing my skills as a practitioner.”

    ~ Tracey Winter (BHSc Acu.)

    “My clinical practice is regularly improved and refined by working with Nigel, I highly recommend his study group.”

    ~ student of Kampo medicine