Certification in Equine Acupuncture

The first module covers traditional Chinese medicine designed for application in an animal care context.

Successful completion of these modules equips practitioners working with animals to:

• develop knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine principles
• identify the theories of traditional Chinese medicine practice
• develop knowledge of the cause of disease from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective
• develop a basic knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine anatomy
• identify the basic principles of acupuncture and apply them to veterinary practice
• diagnose clinical conditions seen in veterinary practice from an acupuncture perspective
• identify the central philosophies of acupuncture and Chinese medicine and apply them to veterinary practice
• develop knowledge of Chinese medical pathology
• apply the principles of Chinese medical pathology and pathophysiology within an acupuncture diagnostic framework in veterinary practice
• conduct a veterinary Chinese medicine assessment utilising physical examination, tongue diagnosis and pulse diagnosis techniques

Topics covered:

Health and Harmony according to Chinese Medicine

• Introduction to Philosophies of Chinese Medicine & Concept of Dao/Unity
• Differences between Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine
• Introduction to the History of Veterinary Acupuncture
• Overview of Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Introduction to the Science of Acupuncture
• Concept of Yin and Yang - qualities and interrelationships
• Concept of 5 Elements/ Wu Xing/ Phases - qualities, correspondences and inter-relationships
• Concept of cyclical rhythms in Chinese Medicine (Chinese clock, seasonal and diurnal changes)
• Concepts of Qi, Blood, (Xue), Body fluids Jin Ye qualities, types, production, functions, circulation, inter-relationships

Chinese Medicine Anatomy

• Characteristics and Functions of the 12 Organs/ Zang Fu and extraordinary Fu
• Characteristics and Functions of the Meridians/ Channels/ Jing Luo

Causes of Disharmony Chinese Medicine Health Paradigm and Causes of Disease

• Internal (emotional), External (climatic), Miscellaneous causes

The Diagnostic Framework

• Central Philosophies of Veterinary Acupuncture
• Acupuncture and Veterinary Acupuncture History
• Chinese Medicine Physiology
• Yin and Yang, Zang Fu and Fundamental Substances
• Chinese Medicine Pathology
• Pathophysiology - Patterns of Disharmony according to Chinese Medicine
• Approaches to Chinese Medicine Methods of Diagnosis
• Methods of Examination Tongue diagnosis, Pulse diagnosis, Palpation techniques and other techniques
• Differential Diagnosis
• Diagnosis by Eight Principles
• Diagnosis by Qi, Blood and the Zang Fu
• Diagnosis by the Six meridians, Four phases and San Jiao
• Taking the Case

Veterinary Acupuncture Principles and Practices 

Successful completion of module two equips practitioners to:

• apply the central philosophies of acupuncture to veterinary practice
• integrate principles of acupuncture into mainstream veterinary practice
• develop in-depth knowledge of veterinary acupuncture techniques and applications in current veterinary practice

Topics covered:

Neurophysiology of Acupuncture

• Neurophysiology of Acupuncture- How it works
• Modern Acupuncture Theories
• Bridging Science and Acupuncture

Acupuncture points

• Names, classifications, actions and indications of points

Channels and Key Acupuncture Points

• The Channels
• Empirical Points
• Points with Special Actions

Principles of Treatment

• Designing an Acupuncture Point Prescription
• Stimulating Acupuncture Points
• Blood flow- the key to efficacy
• Safety Issues with acupuncture
• Practical aspects of veterinary acupuncture
• Five element acupuncture

Veterinary Acupuncture Treatment Strategies 

Modules three and four will develop the skills and knowledge required to administer veterinary acupuncture treatment according to the philosophy and practices of a Chinese medicine therapeutic framework as applied to horses.

Topics include:

• Introduction to TCM and Five Elements in Horses
• Indications and Contraindications for Acupuncture in Horses
•  An Overview of Equine Acupuncture Channels
  • Lung and Large Intestine Channel Acupuncture Points
  • Spleen and Stomach Channel Acupuncture Points
  • Bladder and Kidney Channel Acupuncture Points
  • Pericardium, Triple Heater, Heart and Small Intestine Channel Acupuncture Points
  • Gall Bladder and Liver Channel Acupuncture Points
  • Governing Vessel and Conception Vessel Channel Points and extra points
  • Diagnostic Acupuncture Point Palpation for Equine Lameness
  • Acupuncture for Front Limb Lameness and Laminitis
  • Acupuncture for Hind Limb Lameness and Back Pain
  • Acupuncture for Equine Cough and Respiratory Disease
  • Acupuncture for Equine Cushing's Disease
  • Acupuncture for Equine Ophthalmology and Dermatology
  • Acupuncture for Equine Gastrointestinal Disease
    • Acupuncture for Behavioural Issues
    • Acupuncture for Reproduction