September 2010 Newsletter - Pacific Rim College - Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine in BC

Only a handful of days into a new semester and the college is bustling with activity like never before. With a record number of new students, we have expanded our campus, updated our library and stocked our bookstore with more titles than ever. We have also extended our student clinic hours and expanded our services with the addition of Chinese Herbal Medicine and even professional chiropractic services. If you have been waiting to try acupuncture or to have a herbal consultation, now is a great time!

In a few weeks a number of our graduates will be writing the BC provincial registration exam for acupuncture. For most of them the journey to this point has been 5 years or more in the making. We wish them success with their preparation and with the exam. As newly minted Registered Acupuncturists, by the end of the year most of them will be opening up clinics or joining existing clinics to begin their new career. If you want to track them down, we will be listing them by region in a special alumni section of our online Practitioner Directory.

Ela Last but not least, some of you are likely curious about the development of my daughter Ela who suffered a great deal of birth trauma that I spoke about in the last newsletter. If a picture is worth a thousand words, I will give you two thousand with the one here and the one on the introductory page of the newsletter emailing (sign up to be emailed future newsletters in the box on our website if you have not already). She is extraordinary!

Enjoy the newsletter!

Todd N Howard, President

Welcome to New Students

On September 1, students arrived at PRC from all over the world for our new student orientation. PRC is pleased to welcome these new students as well as our returning students working toward the completion of various diploma and certificate programs. If you are interested in joining our student body and starting a career in natural health, please contact our Office of Admissions today or visit our campus. New programs and continuing education courses start throughout the year with various part-time and full-time study options, including some weekend-based courses and programs.

Continuing Ed at PRC

It is not too late to sign up for fall continuing education courses at PRC. Although the fall semester is officially underway, many courses will not begin for another week still. We offer 15-week courses and some weekend courses in both Western and Chinese Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture, Tai Qi Chuan, Mandarin and many more. Courses in PRC's Department of Continuing Education are open to the general public with year-round opportunities. Please click here to see a list of courses and contact the Office of Admissions to register.

Applications being accepted for Winter Programs

If you missed the start of our Fall semester, you can still apply for admission to PRC for this January. Applications are being accepted for most programs of study. If you are interested in beginning a career in natural health, please explore our exciting study opportunities. Whether you are seeking a short class in a specific discipline, a semester-long program or a multi-year program, we have study options that may be perfect for you. If you would like to visit the college, meet students and instructors, and sit in on classes, please contact our Office of Admissions. PRC is committed to providing students with flexible study options in a variety of programs that promote sustainable medicine.

Fall Student Clinic Hours

The Student Clinic at PRC has new hours for the fall. Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine and Western Herbal Medicine are available 5 days weekly from early morning to 6:30 in the evening. For a specific schedule of clinics, please visit our Clinical Services page. If you have not yet received a treatment in our student clinic, schedule one today. A variety of payment options are available including by-donation clinics and our popular WellPlan, which provides unlimited treatments for only $33 per month.

Chiropractic services now at PRC

PRC is pleased to now offer professional chiropractic services to the public. If you would like to book a chiropractic appointment, please contact the college at 250.483.2119. For a truly integrated experience, consider scheduling an acupuncture treatment and a herbal consultation in our student clinic during the same visit. All practitioners work together to ensure that your health needs are met.

PRC Instructors Launch Orthopedic App

The Ortho App, developed by a pair of PRC instructors, is an innovative orthopedic educational application designed for the medical professional. Its practical use ranges from students to practicing clinicians. An excellent reference tool for board reviews or everyday clinical practice, this App is ideal for allopathic, osteopathic, chiropractic medicine, physical therapy, acupuncture and/or orthopedic nursing. The Ortho App consists of over 300 orthopedic exams with detailed instructions on how to perform each exam, as well as, positive findings, indications and pictures. Ortho App Version 4.0 is now available through iTunes! The App is compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch and now iPad. Please click here for more information.

Brandt Stickley returns with Intermediate Pulse Diagnosis

Registration is now open for Brandt Stickley's long-awaited Workshop entitled "Intermediate Chinese Pulse Diagnosis". This 2-day workshop, scheduled for November 27-28, 2010, is an extension of the introductory course offered earlier this year. The Chinese pulse system is an exquisite and sophisticated means of understanding the whole person. It can reveal the patient's constitution, previous illnesses, early insults to normal physiology, environmental stressors, trauma, lifestyle, emotions and behaviour. It can also predict possible future pathologies with accuracy.

In this course theoretical and didactic instruction is combined with practical training. In a hands-on format with close individual attention, the instructor emphasizes the ability to palpate the 8 depths, the 6 principal positions and 24 complementary positions associated with the system elaborated by Dr. Hammer. The focus of this course is acquiring intensive hands-on experience with close supervision, and beginning the practice of pulse interpretation to craft individualized and comprehensive treatment plans. Comprehensive training in Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis leads to the advanced understanding and skill that improves diagnostic acumen. The favourable student-to-teacher ratio ensures intensive experience with the subtleties of the pulse. Class size is limited to 18 students. Brandt Stickley's beginner-level Chinese Pulse Diagnosis course is a prerequisite to this course. For more information and to register, please click here.

Lonny Jarrett returns

This October 23-24 the renowned Lonny S. Jarrett returns to PRC for a workshop entitled "Understanding Constitutional Diagnosis: Integral and Evolutionary Perspectives". In this 2-day workshop, Lonny will explore the largest possible context for the practice of Chinese Medicine in the 21st century that will help humanity to face the challenges that confront us today. Lonny's intention is to give students a core grounding in the "inner tradition" of medicine. Constitutional diagnosis will be examined as an organizing framework that yields deep insights into each patient's destiny and path of healing. The imagery contained in the acupuncture point names will be discussed as it relates to the points inner functions. Students will come to understand Chinese Medicine as a fully holistic/integral science as well as appreciate the key role that the practitioner's own level of development plays in achieving this goal. Participation in this class is suitable for students and practitioners from any tradition and level of training who wish to deepen their perspective on their art. For more information including how to register, please click here. Registration spaces are limited, and this course is expected to sell out.

Jason Robertson to Present 2-Day Workshop

Internationally recognized author, clinician and educator Jason Robertson will be presenting a 2-day workshop entitled "Channel Palpation and Diagnosis: An Exploration of Classical Acupuncture Technique" at PRC on February 5-6, 2011. Channel palpation is a classical diagnostic technique not often taught in modern acupuncture schools in the west. Emphasized in the earliest acupuncture texts (Nei Jing/Nan Jing), palpation of the channels is extremely helpful for confirming diagnosis and refining point selection. The 2-day workshop will focus on learning the basics of channel palpation through interactive lectures, case studies and hands-on practice of technique. Topics include a discussion of the history of palpatory technique in Chinese Medicine and its historical antecedents in the Inner Classic and Classic of Difficulties; an introduction to the role of the distal channels in classical physiology and a discussion of how physiology can manifest with specific, palpable changes on the acupuncture channels; an introduction to techniques for palpating each of the 12 major channels; a channel-by-channel discussion of commonly found changes and their significance; how to utilize channel palpation information to refine and simplify diagnosis; and an introduction to the acupuncture treatment style of Dr. Wang Ju-Yi.

Jason Robertson, MS, LAc, is a licensed acupuncturist and educator in Seattle, Washington. He spent 8 years studying Chinese language and medicine in Taiwan and China. He is the author of numerous articles on acupuncture channel theory and palpatory diagnostic techniques. In 2008, along with Professor Wang Ju-Yi, he co-authored Applied Channel Theory in Chinese Medicine. Jason was a key speaker at the 2010 TCM Kongress in Rothenburg, Germany. His clinical practice, Kentucky Ginseng, is located in Seattle, and he is a core faculty member at Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine. For more information and to register, please visit our Lectures, Workshops and Events page.

Neil Gumenick to present Five-Elements Workshop

PRC Faculty member Neil Gumenick returns on May 7-8, 2011, for another installment of the workshop entitled "Classical Five-Element Acupuncture: Beginning the Journey". Classical Five-Element Acupuncture, in the Worsley tradition, is one of the most complete, comprehensive, and far-reaching systems of medicine in the world. There are no shortcuts or magic formulas. You will not be able to fully practice this system after one weekend, but you will learn to identify and resolve potentially life-threatening energetic blocks, any of which, until removed, will hinder or prevent your patient from getting well. You will learn to develop and use your senses, pulse taking, and rapport skills as powerful diagnostic tools, and you will come to understand and manage your patients in a whole new way. Seminar topics include the mental and spiritual levels of the Five-Elements, Twelve Officials, and specific acupuncture points; diagnosing the needs of the mind and spirit; how this system addresses physical pain and illness; clinical interaction with patients; rapport skills and patient management; pulse diagnosis within the Classical Five-Element System; detecting and resolving life-threatening energetic blocks; and treatment planning.

Neil R. Gumenick, MAc (UK), LAc, is one of the world's foremost practitioners and teachers of Classical Five-Element Acupuncture. He is Founder and Director of the Institute of Classical Five-Element Acupuncture Inc., which offers training to acupuncturists, physicians, and students in this unique system of body/mind/spirit medicine. He has been in private practice in Santa Monica, California for 26 years and holds 3 degrees and an advanced teaching certification from the College of Traditional Acupuncture, UK. He is a founding member of the Worsley Institute of Classical Five-Element Acupuncture, and Provost of the Master Apprentice Program. For more information and to register, please visit our Lectures, Workshops and Events page.

Special of the Month

This month we continue to run our special on Lonny Jarrett books (see Bookstore for more information), and additionally we have stethoscopes and sphygmomanometers on sale. Perfect for any health care practitioner, these blood pressure monitoring and auscultation devices are essential to a comprehensive practice.

Priced at $21.95, the Omron 416-22 stethoscope is designed for flexibility of clinical needs, sound performance, and affordability and features 3 different size bells, 2 replacement diaphragms and 2 pairs of eartips.

For sphygmomanometers, the Omron 0115M, priced at $36.50, and the Omron 11-200, priced at $29.50, are perfect for any clinician looking to accurately measure blood pressure. Visit our Books and Products page today to view these supplies and more.

Gorge Waterway Cleanup

The Burnside Gorge Community Association (BGCA) will be hosting the 10th annual Gorge Waterway Cleanup on Saturday, September 18th, from 9am-12pm, and is currently seeking volunteers. Participating in The Gorge Waterway Cleanup is a great way to make a difference to the local Victoria environment. Each year, more than 2 tonnes of debris is retrieved from the Gorge shoreline and waters. The result is an improved habitat for local wildlife and a more beautiful area for people to enjoy. Event headquarters will be set-up at 2 locations: Waterfront Crescent near the Galloping Goose Trail (follow the signs) and Gorge Park. Volunteers will clean sections of the Gorge Waterway from the Bay St. Bridge to the Tillicum St. Bridge. Volunteers from schools, local businesses, and non-profit organizations will be involved in this year's Gorge Waterway Cleanup, as well as residents from across Greater Victoria. Scuba divers and boaters will join land-based volunteers, so that debris can be retrieved along the shoreline and from within the ocean. For more information or to register, please contact the Burnside Gorge Community Centre at 250-388-5251, or visit the Burnside Gorge Community Centre's website at www.burnsidegorge.ca.

Gaining Ground Summit

What would it mean for our current cities to be "healed"? Stemming from the inspiration of other living organisms, such as the human body, could these massive urban systems of built and living infrastructure, as well as the cacophony of sometimes harmonious and always diverse beings, have an innate wisdom/knowledge to begin healing and, eventually, continuously heal itself through its own living components? The Healing Cities Conference, as part of 2010's Gaining Ground Summit (fully entitled EcoLogical: The Power of Green Cities to Shape the Future), aims to break down these questions and further develop the presented Framework through a full day conference devoted to the Healing Cities Project.

This day will present and collect from participants, strategies for fostering community health, connectivity and the creation of whole communities. Content will address the interests of professionals in urban planning and design, health management, health practitioners, related health fields, popular media and social media, social narrative, and community development. It is hoped that the Conference will provide an opportunity for refining the Framework and gathering feedback on the basic approach for crafting Healing Cities strategies.

The Healing Cities Conference will take place on Thursday, October 7, 2010 for a full day event in Downtown Vancouver. Please visit www.gaininggroundsummit.com for more details.

6th IN-CAM Research Symposium

The 6th IN-CAM Research Symposium, in collaboration with HomeoNet and PedCAM, will take place at The Sutton Place Hotel in Vancouver, BC, on November 19-21, 2010. With an on-going commitment to fostering excellence in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and Integrative Health Care (IHC) research, the theme of the 6th Symposium is Complementary and Integrative Health Care: Methodological, Theoretical and Practical Issues. The Symposium is an excellent opportunity for CAM researchers and health care professionals from Canada and internationally to share, discuss, and critically debate their research findings. Past IN-CAM Research Symposia have been described as excellent networking opportunities, where new project ideas have evolved, research teams have formed, and graduate students have met their future supervisors. For more information, please click here.

Dr. Miki Shima to Present in Calgary

Dr. Miki Shima, author of An Exposition on the Eight Extraordinary Vessels and The Medical I Ching, will present a 2-day seminar entitled "Intro to Extraordinary Vessel Acupuncture". This workshop scheduled for September 18-19 at the Glencoe Club in Calgary will cover topics such as extraordinary vessel acupuncture, pulse diagnosis, herbal medicine and case studies. For more information, please click here.

To Advertise in upcoming newsletters, please send your requests to admin@pacificrimcollege.ca.

Comments? Suggestions?
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