Course Overview

Using Chinese medicine's Wai Ke tradition, we'll discuss understanding and treating a wide range of neurological conditions including the importance of diagnosing and treating wind. We'll also discuss the role of blood in promoting brain health and compare these approaches to that of western medicine, including a general discussion of neurological pharmaceuticals. The class also includes an in-depth discussion of the disease progression theory Bian Hua which describes the creation of internal wind as a process that begins with heat/inflammation and develops as a response to other imbalances. Detailed case studies are also provided, including the specific clinical thought process for the use of acupuncture points, herbal formulas and diet and lifestyle suggestions. In particular, Brendan discusses his experience treating a wide range of neurological conditions including late-stage neurological Lyme, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and restless leg syndrome. A detailed class outline is provided for reference during and after the class.

Course Objectives

• Understand basic theory of Chinese medicine's Wai Ke neurological tradition, including the role of wind and blood.
• Understand the disease progression theory Bian Hua which describes the creation of internal wind as a process that begins with heat.
• Understand the use of acupuncture, herbs, and diet/lifestyle suggestion to treat a wide range of neurological conditions including late-stage neurological Lyme, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and restless leg syndrome.
• Understanding a general historical perspective of Chinese medicine, including it's holistic understanding of sickness, health and healing from a Wu Xing/Five Phase, Wen Bing/School of Heat and Wai Ke/ neurology perspective.

Course Outline

0 hrs - 30 minHistorical discussion of Chinese medicine, introduciton to Wai Ke/neurology tradition including the importance of blood and wind.

30 min - 1 hrsFuther discussion of Wai Ke/neurology tradition, introduction of Bian Hu theory: heat creates dryness, dryness creates dampness, dampness creates wind. Further historical discussion including applying Wu Xing/Five Phase theory.

1 hrs - 1.5 hrsContinued discussion of Wai Ke, Bian Hu and Wu Xing persepctives in understanding neurology and the specific clinical integration of these different views.

1.5 hrs - 2 hrsIn-depth case studies in using acupuncture, herbal medicine and diet and lifestyle suggestions to treat the symptoms and deeper root issues of neurological symptoms, specifically with restless leg and late-stage Lyme diagnoses.

2 hrs - 2.5 hrsContinued in-depth case studies in using acupuncture, herbal medicine and diet and lifestyle suggestions to treat the symptoms and deeper root issues of neurological symptoms, specifically with traumatic brain injury (TBI).