Course Syllabus
Fall ’10 Trimester
Course Number,Title:
OM 300 Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Review
IM 304-1 Oriental Clinical Medicine
Course Schedule:
Wednesdays 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Course Instructor:
Lana Farson, M.S., L.Ac. lanafarson@comcast.net
Ken Berry, M.S., L.Ac.
kberry@asiantherapeutics.com
Number of Hours/Units:
56 hrs / 4 units
Prerequisites:
IM 301-303 OCM I-III
Office hours: before and after class, or by
appointment
Course Description:
Reviews the field of Oriental Medicine with the emphasis on preparation for the AIMC Berkeley 2 nd quarter
Comprehensive Exit Exam, California Acupuncture Licensing Exam (CALE), and NCCAOM certification
exams. Test-taking skills developed and honed through consistent practice.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course students will be able to pass the AIMC Berkeley AOM Comprehensive Exam with a
score of at least 70%, demonstrating a strong background in AOM knowledge and well developed examination
skills in preparation for passing the CALE.
Teaching Methods
Discussion, handouts, lecture, question and answer, quizzes, 1 two-hour initial assessment exam (90 question),
1 four-hour exit exam, quizzes.
Instructional Materials and Reference Texts
 Preparation Guide: California Acupuncture Licensing Examination (class handout)
 All texts listed on attached “Appendix C: Reference List” from Preparation Guide: California
Acupuncture Licensing Examination
 Handouts and other appropriate materials
 The Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Study Guide by Qiao Yi with Al Stone, 2000, Snow Lotus
Press, Inc.
 Handbook of Oriental Medicine, 3rd Edition, Hyunbae Kim, L.Ac.
Evaluation
Quizzes (20% of grade)
1 two-hour initial assessment exam
1 four-hour exam:100 questions (80% of grade)
Attendance: 70% of classes required (10 classes)
2 tardies = 1 absence Be on time!
There will be no retakes or rescheduling of missed quizzes or exams
Score of at least 70% on the second 4-hour exam is required for passing the course and graduating from AIMC.
This course is Pass / No pass
AIMC Berkeley Course Syllabus
Page 1 of 6
COURSE OUTLINE
Week 1
(9/8)
(Note: Readings should be completed prior to each class meeting)
1:00 - 3:00: Introduction and overview (with Lana Farson)
How to study, how to prepare, test-taking strategies
Handout: Topics to Review
Handout: Preparation Guide - CALE
Discuss Assignment Due Week 2: Create a Study Schedule
Discuss Assignment Due Week 3: State Board Herbs – list by category
Quiz 1 and review
3:00 - 5:00: Theory and Diagnosis Review (with Ken Berry)
Week 2
(9/15)
1:00 - 3:00: Initial Assessment Exam – 80 questions (with Lana Farson)
Assignment Due: Personal Study Schedule
3:00 - 5:00: Continuation: Theory and Diagnosis Review (with Ken Berry)
Week 3
(9/22)
1:00 - 3:00: Review of Initial Assessment Exam (with Lana Farson)
Assignment Due: State Board Herbs – list by category
3:00 - 5:00: Continuation: Theory and Diagnosis Review (with Ken Berry)
Week 4
(9/29)
1:00 - 3:00: Channels and Points (with Ken Berry)
Single points, moxa, cupping, needle depth, vasculature and enervation, electroacupuncture, ear acupuncture, scalp acupuncture, tonification and sedation, contraindications
Readings:
 Moxibustion and Cupping
CAM (1987) p. 339-347 [CAM (1999) p. 361-370]
Shanghai p. 438-447
 Ear Acupuncture
Shanghai p. 472-491 (Diagram p. 478)
CAM (1987) p. 491-512 [CAM (1999) p. 531-550]
 Head Acupuncture
Shanghai p. 497-501
3:00 - 5:00: Continuation: Theory and Diagnosis Review (with Ken Berry)
Week 5
(10/6)
1:00 - 3:00: Continuation: Channels and Points (with Ken Berry)
Readings:
 Internal Diseases
CAM (1987) pp.373-445 [CAM (1999) pp. 399-480] - learn the point prescriptions!
 Gynecological Diseases
CAM (1987) pp.446-490 [CAM (1999) pp. 481- 530] - learn the point prescriptions!
 12 Regular Meridians: Pathways and Pathology
CAM (1987) pp. 53-74, 310-311 [CAM (1999) pp. 59-82; 327-329]
Shanghai pp. 47-60
 8 Extra Meridians: Pathways, Pathology, Function and Significance
CAM (1987) pp. 75-81, 311-312 [CAM (1999) pp.82-88; 329]
Shanghai pp. 67-74
Maciocia (The Foundations of Chinese Medicine) pp. 355-365
 “A General Introduction to Acupuncture Treatment”
AIC Syllabus – Page 2

CAM (1987) pp. 348-372 [CAM (1999) pp. 371-398]
Diagnostic Methods
Tongue Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine, Maciocia, entire book with focus on:
 Tables pp. 22, 65, 85-86, 114-117, 191-192 (available as handouts)
 Case Histories pp. 137-190
CAM (1987) p. 255-272 [CAM (1999) p. 266-285]
Maciocia, Foundations of Chinese Medicine p. 143-174
3:00 - 5:00: Continuation: Theory and Diagnosis Review (with Ken Berry)
Week 6
(10/13)
1:00 - 3:00: Continuation: Channels and Points (with Ken Berry)
Readings:
 Yin-Yang and the Five Elements
CAM (1987) pp. 11-24 [CAM (1999) pp. 12-26]
 Zang-fu Organs
CAM (1987) pp. 25-45
[CAM (1999) pp. 27-50]
 Qi, Blood and Body Fluid
CAM (1987) pp. 46-52
[CAM (1999) pp. 51-58]
 Aetiology and Pathogenesis
CAM (1987) pp. 244-254 [CAM (1999) pp. 254-265]
Maciocia, Foundations of Chinese Medicine, p. 127-141
 Differentiation of Syndromes
CAM (1987) pp. 273-310 [CAM (1999) pp. 286-327]
Maciocia, Foundations of Chinese Medicine, p. 175-200 and 293-310
 Principles of Treatment
Maciocia, Foundations of Chinese Medicine, p. 311-327
3:00 - 5:00: Continuation: Theory and Diagnosis Review (with Ken Berry)
Week 7
(10/20)
1:00 - 3:00: Continuation: Channels and Points (with Ken Berry)
3:00 - 5:00: Continuation: Theory and Diagnosis Review (with Ken Berry)
Week 8
(10/27)
1:00 - 3:00: Continuation: Channels and Points (with Ken Berry)
3:00 - 5:00: Continuation: Theory and Diagnosis Review (with Ken Berry)
AIC Syllabus – Page 3
Week 9
(11/3)
1:00 - 3:00: Continuation: Channels and Points (with Ken Berry)
3:00 - 5:00: Bio-Medicine Review, Clean Needle Technique, Laws and Regs
(with Ken Berry)
 Western Differential diagnosis - appendicitis vs. cholecystitis, asthma vs. bronchitis etc.
 Endocrine Disorders
 Basic Western Physical Exam - BP, heart rhythms, breath sounds, reflexes etc.
 Dermatomes
 Basic Labs - thyroid, liver panel, cholesterol, complete blood count (CBC)
 Basic Pharmacology relevant to herbs - diuretics, blood thinners etc.
 Nutrition - vitamin deficiencies, water soluble, fat soluble
 Orthopedic Testing
Readings:
 Review Western pharmacology
 Clean Needle Technique Manual for Acupuncturists (5th Edition). Washington, D.C.: National
Acupuncture Foundation.
 California Acupuncture Board (2004). Laws and regulations relating to the practice of
acupuncture. Sacramento, CA: California Acupuncture Board
Week 10
(11/10)
1:00 - 3:00: Continuation: Channels and Points (with Ken Berry)
3:00 - 5:00: Continuation: Bio-Medicine Review, Clean Needle Technique, Laws and Regs
(with Ken Berry)
Week 11
(11/17)
1:00 - 3:00: Review Herbs and Formulas (with Lana Farson)
Assignment Due: State Board Herbs – list by category
Handout: Herbs in the 63 State Board Formulas
Handout: Dosages for 63 State Board Formulas
Quiz (Content: selected formulas and herbs from the categories and readings listed below)
Release the Exterior:
 Ren Shen Bai Du San (Bensky: p. 53 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 34)
 Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang (Bensky: p. 46 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 32-33)
 Yin Qiao San (Bensky: p. 44-45; Formula Study Guide: p.31-32)
 Sang Ju Yin (Bensky: p. 44 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 31-32, p. 115)
Clear Heat:
 Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Bensky: p. 96 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 55, p. 94)
Harmonizing:
 Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Bensky: p. 136; Formula Study Guide: p. 78, 81, 83)
 Xiao Yao San (Bensky: p. 147; Formula Study Guide: p. 80-81, p. 142, p. 160, p. 214)
 Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang (Bensky: p. 150; Formula Study Guide: p. 82-83)
Downward Draining:
 Da Cheng Qi Tang (Bensky: p. 115; Formula Study Guide: p. 67, 69)
 Xiao Cheng Qi Tang (Bensky: p. 117; Formula Study Guide: p. 68-69)
 Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang (Bensky: p. 117; Formula Study Guide: p. 68-69)
Expel Dampness:
 Ping Wei San (Bensky: p. 181 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 91, p.93)
 Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (Bensky: p. 183 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 92-93)
 Ba Zheng San (Bensky: p. 192 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 94)
 Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (Bensky: p. 207 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 99-100, p. 221)
 Zhen Wu Tang (Bensky: p. 197 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 100, p. 150)
Warm Interior Cold :
 Wu Zhu Yu Tang (Bensky: p. 221 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 127-128, p. 131)
 Li Zhong Tang (Bensky: p. 219 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 91, 126-129, 139, 167, 201)
Formulas continued on next page
AIC Syllabus – Page 4
Tonifying:





Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Bensky: p. 241 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 140-141, 146)
Gui Pi Tang (Bensky: p. 255 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 145-146, 213)
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Bensky: p. 263 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 147, 150, 58)
Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (Bensky: p. 275 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 149-150)
Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (Bensky: p. 260 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 144)
3:00 - 5:00: Continuation: Bio-Medicine Review, Clean Needle Technique, Laws and Regs
(with Ken Berry)
NO CLASS ON 11/24 DUE TO THANKSGIVING BREAK
Week 12
(12/1)
1:00 - 3:00: Continuation: Review Herbs and Formulas (with Lana Farson)
Food Stagnation:
 Bao He Wan (Bensky: p. 455-456 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 229)
Treat Phlegm:
 Bei Mu Gua Luo San (Bensky: p. 439 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 110-111)
 Wen Dan Tang (Bensky: p. 435 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 111-112, 116, 165)
 Zhi Sou San (Bensky: p. 446 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 115-116)
Regulate Qi:
 Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang (Bensky: p. 299 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 163-164)
 Ding Chuan Tang (Bensky: p. 300 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 164-165)
Invigorate the Blood:
 Tao He Cheng Qi Tang (Bensky: p. 312 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 176-177, 181)
(compare to 3 other Cheng Qi Tang formulas: p. 64-69)
 Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Bensky: p.314 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 177, 181)
 Wen Jing Tang (Bensky: p. 324 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 179, 181, 193, 202)
Stabilize & Bind:
 Gu Jing Wan (Bensky: p. 367 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 202)
Calm the Spirit:
 Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan (Bensky: p. 378 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 212-214)
Expel Wind:
 Xiao Feng San (Bensky: p. 394 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 220)
 Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin (Bensky: p. 405 ; Formula Study Guide: p. 222-224)
3:00 - 5:00: Continuation: Bio-Medicine Review, Clean Needle Technique, Laws and Regs
(with Ken Berry)
Week 13
(12/8)
1:30 – 5:30: Final Comprehensive Exam
Content of Exam - Acupuncture, Meridians, Herbs and Formulas, Case Studies, Ear & Head
Acupuncture, Moxa and Cupping, Diagnosis, Western Medicine, Western Pharmacology, California
Acupuncture Laws and Regulations, Clean Needle Technique and Patient Safety
(e.g. readings from previous weeks)
Week 14
(12/15)
Review of Final Comprehensive Exam
AIC Syllabus – Page 5
My notes:
2 hours for intro and state board exam
4 hours: Herbs 11: 4 hrs ( 3hrs cam, 3 hrs cam, 3 hrs
16 hrs :Theory Diagnosis 35: 16hrs
14 hours Channels and points 32: 14
8 hours for Biomedicine 15: 7 hrs , Laws and regs & cnt 7: 3 hrs (or 1.5 hrs)
4 hours for initial exam
8 hours for final exam
AIC Syllabus – Page 6