AAMA 22nd Annual Symposium
Twenty-second Anniversary Symposium of
The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture

April 23-25, 2010
Orlando World Center Marriott Resort
Orlando, FL

The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture is pleased to present a symposium which meets the
expressed need of physician acupuncturists to examine the mechanisms of acupuncture from several
different perspectives and for more information on scientific studies and research findings regarding
acupuncture. This meeting addresses topics suggested by practitioners and stresses the different
acupuncture approaches to dealing with every day practical clinical problems with an emphasis on the
scientific evidence for those approaches. Physicians have expressed the desire for exposure to alternative
approaches to common clinical challenges. The different disciplines of acupuncture to be reviewed
include Neuro-Anatomic, Energetics, and Traditional Chinese Medicine.  We will look at the different ways
of treating the same clinical problems using these different disciplines, thus giving physicians not only a
choice for treatment but also the sophistication of combining two or more disciplines to strengthen the
efficacy of their treatment.

The thrust of this conference is to offer a multi-tiered approach to the understanding and clinical
significance of acupuncture in a physician's daily practice, and to expand the awareness and
understanding of the scientific research ongoing to examine the effects of acupuncture and acupuncture
efficacy.  It is designed to provide physicians with information on different approaches to the treatment of
common conditions seen in clinical practice so that they may tailor acupuncture treatments to the needs of
their individual patients. The conference focuses on clinically relevant treatment approaches and
techniques which the physician acupuncturist can put to immediate use.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

The Symposium is designed for instruction and training of physicians (MDs and DOs) interested in or
already practicing acupuncture. Physicians with no experience and those with extensive background in
medical acupuncture will find the program useful to their medical practices.

The Pre-Symposium workshops are intended to provide a more concentrated learning experience where
the faculty can spend the entire day focused on a topic in greater depth and with more time for practical
examples from clinical experiences.

Physicians with over 200 hours of formal medical acupuncture training and more than three years
experience may choose the workshops that best suit their interest.

ACCREDITATION

The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing
Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture designates the Symposium for a maximum of 22 AMA
PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Each Pre-Symposium workshop has been designated for a maximum of 7
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit that he/she
actually spent in the activity.

OBJECTIVES

Pre-Symposium Workshop I – “Korean Hand Therapy”

Lowell Kobrin, MD, PhD, FAAMA, Coos Bay, Oregon.

This workshop will cover the essentials for successful diagnosis and treatment using Korean Hand
Therapy. As a prerequisite to the Introductory segment, one should have a comfortable knowledge of the
body meridians and points, the Eight Principles and Zang/Fu theory. As a prerequisite to the afternoon
segment, one should have a solid understanding of Five Phase dynamics (Shen and Ke cycles) and a
basic understanding of the Extraordinary (Curious) meridians, and must have completed the morning
introductory course in Korean Hand Therapy.

Participants will be able to explore through hands-on demonstration and practice the application of  KHT
techniques in the treatment of common clinical situations under the direction of the faculty and assistants.

Morning:  “Introduction to Korean Hand Acupuncture and Its Advantages in Clinical Practice”



This four-hour intensive will give the practitioner the basic information needed to begin using the Korean
Hand Therapy (KHT) microsystem. The KHT system, discovered by Dr. Tae-Woo Yoo, provides a complete
template of the traditional meridian system of the body, but the treatments are very delicate, efficient, rapid,
safe and highly effective. Any system of acupuncture can be applied to the KHT microsystem with the
same results as the traditional body points. The content of this introduction will include micromeridian
anatomy and theory, methods for stimulating the KHT points, correspondence therapy, basic therapy
(three Jiao) and formulary therapy (e.g. Four gates, Source points, Mo points, etc.).



Afternoon:  “Intermediate Course in Korean Hand Therapy: Three Constitutions Diagnosis as a Basis for
Five Element and Extraordinary Meridian Therapy”



This four-hour intensive will cover Three Constitutions diagnosis as a basis for Five Element and
Extraordinary meridian therapy. Abdominal palpation skills and carotid/radial pulse diagnosis will be
taught. Demonstrations using class participants will be done when appropriate.

Pre-Symposium Workshop II – “Paradigm Shifts in Integrative Medicine: Learn How to Improve Clinical
Outcomes by Combining Medical Acupuncture and Functional Medicine”

Steve  Amoils, MD,  Claudia Harsh, MD, Cincinnatti, OH

Dr’s Steve Amoils and Claudia Harsh  will discuss the science and practical use of a collection of
functional medicine therapies that are immediately applicable for integration into your medical
acupuncture practice.  They will share the benefits of over 100,000 acupuncture treatments and years of
functional medicine experience to help you treat pain, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, headaches, irritable
bowel syndrome, menopausal symptoms, menstrual disorders, infertility and more. Gain insight on how
to combine the unique awareness of acupuncture concepts with the understanding of biochemical
individuality in order to create outstanding results for your patients.



Pre-Symposium Workshop III – “Medical Qigong Therapy”

Suzanne Friedman, LAc, Berkeley, CA

Suzanne Friedman LAc., DMQ (China), Chair of the Medical Qigong Science Department, Acupuncture and
Integrative Medicine College, Berkeley, CA. She has completed a post-graduate medical Qigong program
in Beijing with Dr Xu Hongtao. For this workshop, she will present the history and rold of medical qigong in
Chinese medicine, along with simple to learn medical qigong exercises that are prescribed for particular
illnesses and imbalances of the lungs, liver, spleen (digestion) and kidneys, for example.    Participants
will learn the theory behind the exercises and be able to practice and prescribe medical qigong exercises
for their patients.

Pre-Symposium Workshop IV – “Introduction to the Principles of Classical Acupuncture”

Edward Neal, MD



Morning:

An introduction to the history of classical acupuncture and to the primary Nei Jing text will be given. An
overview of the major theories of classical physiology and cyclical time space rhythms will be given
including: Yin Yang, Five Elements and Six Confirmation theory. A review of the basic clinical principles
derived from these principles will be reviewed including: Zheng Qi (upright Qi), Xie Qi (pathogenic Qi),
Shen (organizing illumination), Yin level pathology and Yang level pathology. Classical concepts of
tonification and drainage and the concepts of the adjustment of seasonal time energies within the body
will be examined.

Afternoon:

The study of the theory of cyclical time/space rhythms will be continued. An introduction to the theory the
Wu Yun Liu Qi  (the theory of the heavenly stem/earthly branch influences on human physiology and
climate) will be given. An introduction to the theory of the medical Ba Zi  (medical astrological horoscope)
will be discussed. Instruction on how to construct a Song dynasty medical horoscope will be given. Ba Zi
theory provides a direct and practical way to apply the principles and theories of seasonal time/space flow
found within the acupuncture classics within the clinical setting. It was used by classical practitioners to
reveal basic strengths and weakness of the individual derived from Yin Yang theory in conjunction with
climactic and astronomical science. In addition to giving helpful information regarding the patient’s
constitution, it also shows where and in what period of a patient’s life they are prone to suffer illness and
gives the likely nature of the illness. This may be used to guide preventive therapy for the patient as well as
guiding the treatment of the present illness.  

The clinical skills of Renying/Cunkou pulse diagnosis will be introduced. This system is a classical
diagnostic technique derived from the Ling Shu that compares the carotid (Renying) with the radial artery
(Cunkou) pulses in order to diagnose Yin/Yang pathology within the vessel system. Using this system, Yin
Yang imbalances may be diagnosed and addressed with fairly straightforward techniques. This system
was one of the cornerstones of classical acupuncture practice and may be directly incorporated within a
modern acupuncture practice. Time will be given for participants to practice this technique.



GENERAL SESSIONS

Physicians attending the Symposium will be able to:

Understand how to integrate acupuncture into a contemporary medical practice. Understand the
opportunities to utilize various approaches to the treatment of pain, headaches, musculoskeletal
problems and common medical conditions. Learn the theoretical basis of and practical treatment
techniques of acupuncture in the treatment of pain and common medical conditions.  Learn how certain
medical conditions are evaluated and treated utilizing a scalp acupuncture technique. Learn the findings
of recent research around the world on the effects and efficacy of acupuncture and the practice
implications.   Learn how the potential benefits of taking a more holistic approach to patient assessment
and treatment. Better understand the concepts of classical Chinese theories in the practical use of
acupuncture in treatment approaches in a modern clinical setting. Learn how conditions commonly found
in clinical practice can be treated using any one of several acupuncture approaches, or in combination,
thus enhancing overall treatment results.
About Us