Jani White

Goals and Objectives

• review of the endocrine glands, plus the organs containing aggregate endocrine cells
• review of the Autonomic Nervous System: sympathetic, parasympathetic and enteric
• review of ANS: allostasis vs homeostasis + review of the hormonal mechanisms of the stress response
• review of the HPA, the HPO/HPG, plus the insulin feedback loops
• discussion of the endocrine associations of heart-mind
• discussion of the key acupoints points and their surrounding channel points, both anterior and posterior + related arm and leg channel points at these endocrine levels: Du 20 / Yin Tang / Ren 22 / Ren 17 / Ren 12 / Ren 7 / Ren 3

Outline

Part 1 
An introduction to the neurobiology of the stress response + a discussion of the neurobiology of the conception cascade.

• endocrine review
• the emotions of infertility
• the Chinese medicine toolkit
• emotional associations to endocrine function: from the ayurvedic, buddhist and yogic traditions
• Bao Gong/Bao Zhong/Bao Mai/Bao Luo
• channel system interconnections via the Sheng & Ke Cycle model
• homeostasis vs allostasis
• stress response mechanism
• the enteric nervous system as related to the Chinese medicine theory of ‘Fats & Membranes’ and thier role in endocrine function
• in-depth acupoint discussion for treatment of the ‘Fats & Membrane’
• the limbic system and the neuroscience of love: dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, norepinephrine
• gut inflammation

Part 2
Discussion of each endocrine gland in function/dysfunction on both the physical and emotional levels, including a review of the effect of insulin on the reproductive hormones.
Acupoint discussion relating to each endocrine level.

• Hypothalamus/Pituitary - physical & emotional associations
• review of the ‘Master gland’ function throughout the endocrine system
• Du 20 and related channel points
• Pineal - physical & emotional associations
• Yin Tang and related channel points
• Review of circadian rhythms and this importance of serotonin/melatonin balance
• discussion of 12 channel horary points
• Thyroid - physical & emotional associations
• Ren 22 and related channel points
• the link between thyroid dysfunction and infertility
• Thymus - physical & emotional associations
• Ren 17 and related channel points
• links to lymphatic and immune systems
• Pancreas - physical & emotional associations
• Ren 12 and related channel points
• relation of Solar Plexus to pancreas level and the psoas muscle
• review of the importance of insulin balance to the reproductive hormone balance
• the importance of BMI

Part 3

Continued discussion of each endocrine gland in function/dysfunction on both the physical and emotional levels, plus acupoint discussion relating to each endocrine level.

• The Adrenal Glands
• the cortex vs medulla
• HPA axis
• the importance of cortisol balance

• Ovaries - physical & emotional associations
• Ren 7 and related channel points
• HPO axis
• folliculogenesis
• causes of ovulatory dysfunction
• Testes - physical & emotional associations
• Ren 3 and related channel points
• spermatogenesis

Part 4

Emotional impediments that can negatively affect endocrine function + discussion of acupoints that influence allostatic endocrine function.

• The emotional impact of not conceiving and resultant impact on the endocrine system
• Point discussions:
• The 4 Seas
• The Kidney Chest Points
• Treating the Bao Mai
• Useful point combinations
• Ren 1
• The 8 Extraordinary Vessels
• The 8 Influential Points
• The 5 Shu Transporting Points

Objectives

• An overview of the historical context of the movement of Chinese medicine into the West, and the variance of lineage of teaching styles.
• Discussion of the importance of how we name and frame these various approaches to the use of acupuncture.
• Understanding the theoretical structure of the Sheng & Ke Cycles in relation to channel structure and communication, and the use of the 5 Transporting Points.
• Discussion of the importance of pulse diagnosis and channel palpation in respect of diagnosing channel flow.
• Discussion of the listed treatment strategies and their relation to the Sheng & Ke cycle theory, in particular transfer treatments using the 5 Transporting Points

Outline

Part 1 Historical context of the use of the 5 Elements, and the historical context of the transference of acupuncture to the West

• History of 5 phases in Chinese Medicine
• Translation of Chinese Medicine to the West
• Influence of PRC on TCM
• The UK ‘feud’ and it’s translation to America
• The Semantics of Language
• The Worsley Theory of CF
• Pattern and Syndrome Diagnosis
• Channel Theory
• Japanese Meridian Theory

Part 2 Chinese Theory Models for Treatment Strategies

• Eight Extraordinary Vessels
• Channels and Collaterals & the Six Divisions
• Entry/Exit Points
• Horary Points / Open Points
• The 5 Shu-Transporting Points
• Palpation / Pulse Diagnosis
• Double Fire

Part 3 Clinical Use of the Sheng & Ke Cycle Theory

• Sheng & Ke Cycle Theory
• Element Associations
• Five Spirits
• Transfer Treatments
• AE (Worsley Protocol)
• Quantum Biology

Section 1

• Intro
• Physiology of pregnancy in Chinese terms
• Pulse in pregnancy
• ‘Minor’ discomforts
• Scope of practice - when to refer
• Red flags
• Determining dosage
• Scope of practice

Section 2

• Nausea & tiredness
• The importance of emotional support
• ‘Rules of thumb’ acupuncture in pregnancy
• Forbidden points
• Anaemia - treating the blood

Section 3

• The importance of emotional support in preparing for labour
• Maternity community
• Physiology of the gestational phases
• ‘Minor’ discomforts of late pregnancy
• TCM viewpoint of birth preparation
• Dietary guidelines in the pre-birth phase
• Acupressure and acupuncture for birth preparation
• Foetal positioning
• Acupuncture pre-birth protocols

Section 4

• Gauging treatment prescription weeks 34 - 41
• Physiology of breech position
• TCM viewpoint for breech
• Acupuncture for breech
• Advice for patients re: turning breech
• ECV

Section 5

• Physiology of cervical dilation
• Determining ‘ripeness’
• Physiology of membrane sweep
• Medical induction: PGE2
• Syntocinon, ARM
• TCM viewpoint of commencement of labour

Section 6

• Fear and labour
• The importance of Bao Mai
• Acupuncture for Ki/Ht axis
• Acupuncture for induction
• Prelabour physiology
• Acupuncture dosage in induction and pre-labour

Section 7

• Having a labour orientated practice
• Being on-call
• ACT in the UK
• Ongoing education and shared clinical experience
• Building rotas
• What is a doula?
• Share-care teams
• Multi bed community projects

Section 8

• Intrapartum physiology
• Medical pain relief: entinox
• Analgesics
• Epidural
• Acupuncture for labour - managing expectations

Section 9

• Acupuncture during labour
• Premature rupture of membranes
• Retained placenta
• Haemorrhage
• Post partum bleeding

Section 10

• Post partum: support and dosage
• The importance of debriefing
• Secondary infertility
• Acupuncture for breastfeeding issues: latching issues
• Cracked nipples
• Insufficient lactation, mastitis, bonding issues

Section 11

• General post partum treatment
• TCM viewpoint for recovery
• Mother roasting
• Persistent bleed
• After pains
• Night sweats
• Perineal pain
• Symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Post natal depression (PND)
• TCM viewpoint of PND
• Acupuncture for PND
• Major depression: purpural psychosis - scope of practice

Section 12

• Acupuncture for IVF support
• Down regulation
• Stimulation phase
• hCG phase
• Egg collection
• Transfer