Course Overview

Many of us where taught the Four-Needle method while in school, but actually learning it well enough to make use of the profound qi transfer potential that it’s capable of is another issue.

The Four-Needle method works best when backed with the original set of diagnostics that help you to hone in on the channels that are most deficient or excess. And this is where the perspectives found in the Saam method are extremely helpful.

Saam acupuncture uses a blend of the fives phases and six qi to assess imbalances. These imbalances are treated with four needles to powerfully tonify an organ or meridian by using Five Phase correspondences to promote the Generative cycle, and at the same time adding in the Controlling cycle to further boost the qi an organ or meridian. These treatments are not harmonizing, but when correctly employed they can restore balance to the overall system.

Course Objectives

• Understand the classical foundations of Saam acupuncture
• Understand the theoretical underpinnings from the Yi Jing, Su Wen, Five Phase and Six Conformation perspectives
• Learn and apply the diagnostic parameters of the Saam system
• Understand the clinical application of the counterbalanced organ pairs
• Recognize mistreatment and reverse it

Course Outline

0 hrs - 1.5 hrsRead Toby's article on The Classical Roots and Application of the Sa'am Acupuncture Tradition

1.5 hrs - 3.5 hrsAbout the system, roots in the Yi Jing, Nei Jing, Five Phase and Six Conformation correspondences, organ excess presentations

3.5 hrs - 5.5 hrsOrgan excess presentations, considering excess and deficiency, correcting mistreatment, treatment strategies, clinical practicalities, needling considerations

5.5 hrs - 7.5 hrsWhy to only tonify in the beginning, four needle method, other needling considerations, the influence of needle gauge, using complexion to judge the correctness of treatment, correcting mistreatment, use of the back shu points to aid in diagnosis

7.5 hrs - 9 hrsRecommendations for integrating into your practice, questions from day one, instructor clinical case studies and discussion

9 hrs - 10.5 hrsStudent case studies and discussion

10.5 hrs - 12 hrsFurther case studies and discussion

12 hrs - 13 hrsFinal questions, comments and closing