Past educational classes and events at the Jade Institute include:

HPV, Cervical Dysplasia, Cancer and Chinese Medicine & Endometriosis East and West

Dr. Misha Cohen OMD, LAc., will outline the treatment of women with HPV infection and its relationship to cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer. Discussion will include treatment of various stages of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and prevention of cancers associated with HPV infection, as well as the Western medicine approaches to HPV treatment and case management. Day 2 of the seminar will explore the interrelationship and integration of clinical Chinese herbal medicine practice and Chinese herbal research for endometriosis in women.

Blood Pathology and Bleeding Disorders in Gynecology

Integrating her extensive clinical experience and work with her teacher Dr. Qiu Xiao-mei, Sharon Weizenbaum LAc., will address the nature of blood and bleeding physiology with careful attention to the details of diagnosing the root cause of bleeding disorders in gynecology. Using a phased approach, protocols and herbs will be presented for different treatment stages, acute and chronic situations, mild and heavy bleeding, and methods of consolidation and prevention once bleeding has been controlled.

Supporting the Heart and Spirit in Woman: Treating Mental Emotional Imbalances Using Integrative TCM & 5-E Strategies

Tiffany Pollard LAc., brings an effective synthesis and integration of 5 element and TCM approaches to treating the mental emotional imbalances that we commonly see in women. This class will offer new perspectives on emotional-spiritual balance, diagnosing underlying causes of imbalance, and using acupuncture to treat the root of anxiety and depression, while helping women to understand themselves and heal their wounds. Special topics include the discussion of women’s relationship between food and emotions, peri-menopausal transitions, and sexual abuse/betrayal.

Windows of Transition: From Menarche to Menopause

Cindy Micleu MTCM, LAc., will discuss key times in a woman’s life when dramatic hormonal changes occur, in particular at menarche, after pregnancy and childbirth, and menopause. These times often mark major life transitions and are accompanied by significant changes in both the body and the mental/emotional framework. At the same time, they also offer a “window” through which profound change can be made and health influenced for years into the future. A variety of issues will be addressed such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, acne, menstrual disorders, urinary issues, temperature imbalance, hypertension, and more.

Using Chinese Herbs in External Application

In this class, Andy Ellis introduces various forms of external applications of Chinese herbs including washes, compresses, powders, steam-soaks, ointments, soft plasters, application of herbs to acupuncture points and more. The preparation and application methods are thoroughly explained so that the student can use the preparations in clinic. While the majority of applications address dermatologic disorders or treatment of sinew damage (sprains, strains, etc.) many of the applications treat internal disorders, pediatric complaints and gynecologic ailments.

Common Uses for Uncommon Herbs and Uncommon Uses for Common Herbs (Acupuncture Too!)

Andy Ellis offers clinical tips from his experience and that of his teachers and writings of some well-known modern practitioners. He will discuss herbs and formulas that are not commonly used but should be; uncommon uses for herbs and formulas that are commonly used and also some unique acupuncture techniques and point selections. The class is designed to meet the needs of those who have basic herb knowledge but wish to go beyond the textbook.

Clinical Tips on Using Granules & Understanding the Herbal Supply Chain

Eric Brand LAc., speaks to the use of herb granules as a relatively new development in Chinese herbal medicine and how it brings with it the problem of how to dosage herb formulas appropriately. This class will examine different approaches including the advantages and disadvantages of methods such as combining whole formulas as is commonly used in Taiwan, and building formulas from single herb extracts, the method used more predominantly in mainland China.

Combining Western Herbs & Chinese Medicine: Digestive Disorders

With an engaging and unique approach to teaching herbal medicine, Jeremy Ross BSc, AAc (Br), LAC., offers a new system that successfully integrates the paradigms of Chinese medicine, Western herbal tradition, and phytopharmacological research. In this 3-day course, Jeremy uses his system of Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine to teach a series of valuable herb combinations for treating digestive disorders commonly seen in clinical practice.

Combining Western Herbs & Chinese Medicine: Respiratory Disorders

Jeremy Ross BSc, AAc (Br), LAC., brings over 35 years of herb and acupuncture study, and 25 years of teaching, to his courses. A gifted and engaging teacher, he is able to clarify complex ideas and ground theoretical concepts in practical clinical experience. In his first North American seminar in many years, Jeremy will be teaching two 3-day courses based on his system of Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine as applied to respiratory disorders.

Assessment and Treatment of Inflammatory and Hormonal Imbalances Utilizing Auriculotherapy

Susan Scott LAc., will be teaching practical skills in this seminar including the identification and treatment of specific points on the ear which address inflammatory conditions affecting the digestive system, as well as endocrine and hormonal imbalances. Including extensive discussion, demonstrations, and practice sessions, she will share with you the application of auriculotherapy in the treatment of such inflammatory conditions as GERD, IBS, colitis, celiac disease, thyroid disorders, adrenal exhaustion, and hormonal imbalances.

Chinese Medicine in Geriatric Care

Angie Hughes LAc., will help bring Chinese medicine understanding to particular health and quality of life issues, from musculoskeletal pain, stroke and its sequelae, urinary issues and digestive weakness, to problems of mind and memory. This course will address specific disorders as well as special considerations of treating the elderly. She brings a wealth of experience and background in 5 element approaches to gerontology, and offers specific diagnostic and treatment protocols as well as very practical advice on how to work with this population.

Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: Dermatology

With an engaging and unique approach to teaching herbal medicine, Jeremy Ross BSc, AAc (Br), LAC., offers a system that successfully integrates the paradigms of Chinese medicine, Western herbal tradition, and phytopharmacological research. In this 3-day course, Jeremy Ross will be teaching his system of combining Western herbs and Chinese medicine in application to dermatology disorders. He will primarily address oral herb prescriptions, but will also offer some topical preparations and as well as herbal detoxification treatments.

Sotai: The Art of Painless Pain Relief

Sotai is a simple system of healing using regulated breathing and gentle movements performed against light resistance to release areas of pain and constriction. In this seminar, Bob Quinn DAOM, LAc., teaches Sotai techniques as an ‘indirect method’ of somatic practice. It shares certain features with strain-counterstrain, positional release, and orthobionomy in that the practitioner moves the patient away from areas of pain and restriction-constriction.

Superficial Insertion and Refining Your Needle Technique

In this age of techno-stress with the prevalence of Qi deficiency and psychosomatic conditions, more subtle techniques like contact and superficial needling have become valuable in our practices. In this seminar, Stephen Brown LAc., teaches that Japanese styles of acupuncture in particular offer a rich variety of needling techniques that work on the skin and the superficial layers. In this class, students learn that refining technique boils down to learning to use less stimulation in a more precise manner for greater effect with less discomfort for the patient.

Perspectives on Obstetric Treatment: A Gathering of Birthkeepers

This seminar is focused on the treatment of patients during pregnancy and birth, and the enhancement of the health of both mother and baby, and solutions for problems that arise. Raven Lang OMD, LAc., a nationally known teacher, acupuncturist and midwife, will be in Seattle presenting the first of two weekend seminars on Pregnancy and Birth.

Deepening Clinical Practice with Chinese Patent Medicines

This long course is offered over four months and is designed to give practitioners a thorough understanding of a wide variety of Chinese patent medicines, their major herbal constituents, and to help them understand specific use, contraindications and comparisons with similar patent medicine formulas. Students will learn to apply them precisely and effectively in complex clinical situations. 52.0 contact hours Instructors are Christina Jackson MAc., L.Ac. Cindy Micleu MTCM., L.Ac.

Comprehensive Chinese Herb Program: Year 1 – offered in 2009 and 2013

This is the 1st year of a 2-year program of study in Chinese herbal medicine. This program takes a unique approach to the study of herbal medicine. From the beginning, there is an emphasis on real clinical case application and a patient centered perspective. Single herbs and formulas are taught together in an integrated system along with attention to deepening diagnostic skills and pattern discrimination. Classes are small in order to encourage questions, discussion, and a mentorship style education. 180 contact hours. Instructors: Daniel Altschuler PhD, LAc. Cindy Micleu MTCM., L.Ac. Allen Sayigh MAcOM, L.Ac.

Comprehensive Chinese Herb Program: Year 2 – offered in 2010-11 and 2014-15

This is the 2nd year of a 2-year program of study in Chinese herbal medicine. In year 2, the focus will be on the application of formulas and modifications for a wide variety of disorders. Experienced herbalists in Seattle and guest teachers from around the country will teach various aspects of Chinese herbal medicine by systems and specialties. Hours: 165 contact hours. Instructor(s): Daniel Altschuler PhD, LAc. Andrew Ellis B.A. Jianxin Huang MMed (PRC), LAc. Cindy Micleu MTCM., L.Ac. Allen Sayigh MAcOM, L.Ac. Sharon Weizenbaum L.Ac.

Advanced Program in Female and Male Fertility – offered in 2009 and 2013

This is one of the most comprehensive courses available in the country on the Chinese medicine treatment of female and male fertility. Tailored for the practicing acupuncturist or advanced student of Chinese medicine, the course is designed to enhance clinical skills and prepare practitioners to specialize in fertility care.
Hours: 49.0 contact hours. Instructor(s): Lilla DiFlorio ND Lee Hullender Rubin DAOM., L.Ac. Christina Jackson MAc., L.Ac. Cindy Micleu MTCM., L.Ac. Michael Opsahl M.D. Marty Ryan LMP Susan Tallmadge Carr ND. Klaus Wiemer Ph.D.

Evening Lecture: Clinical Management of Neuromusculoskeletal Rehabilitation

In this lecture, James Blair LAc., will help you restructure the assessment, triage and treatment of patients with neuro-musculoskeletal injuries. The assessment and treatment approach determines the outcome for a patient. How will you manage a case? When do you refer and for what? What do you tell your patient and when? These questions and their answers should be addressed in the initial patient visit. We will take 2 cases of common complaint and process them from intake, through assessment and treatment, to the arrangement of their future treatment schedule. You might be surprised at what is the most important part of this initial visit.

Evening Lecture: Beyond the Five Elements

In this lecture, Tiffany Pollard LAc., will explore the identification and transcendence of emotional cycles in our patients and ourselves that are self defeating. Discussion will include differentiating the various forms of ill health producing inertia as it pertains to the elemental constitutional types. This inertia manifests in particular emotional patterns that are fueled by discernible underlying “motivations”. Learn the core root behind these patterns and how to help patients overcome them.

Evening Lecture: Viewing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Through a TCM Lens

In this lecture, Lee Hullender Rubin DAOM, LAc., discusses infertility patients undergoing IVF that are unsure how to integrate their western treatment with a traditional Chinese medicine approach. She will explain the mechanisms of IVF from a TCM perspective, and look at possible treatment approaches during various phases of an IVF cycle. Are the research protocols for acupuncture point choices the best method? Should we try to factor in the effects of the chemical stimulation that these women are receiving, or treat strictly on traditional TCM diagnosis?

Evening Lecture: 12 Functional Nutrition Tips to Integrate into a TCM practice

David Learner MTCM, LAc., speaks on functional nutrition is a branch of functional medicine. Much the same way that pattern differentiation is the basis of TCM, functional nutrition is focused on utilizing nutritional theories in ways that can be tailored to meet the biochemical individuality of every patient. In this talk, we will discuss ways in which functional nutrition can be easily integrated into your TCM practice, how labs might be useful information, and which nutritional supplements should be considered, and when detoxification protocols are indicated.

Evening Lecture: Health, Happiness and Community

Cecile Andrews PhD., speaks about how happiness is on the decline; loneliness and stress are increasing. When we live more simply we strip away the inessential so the essential comes through; when we live more slowly we reduce our frantic stress, learn to savor our lives, and find time for things that matter. Living smaller, we reduce our carbon footprint and find conviviality and connection with the people around us.

Evening Lecture: Algorithms, Bar Codes, & Centrifuges: Inner Patterns in East Asian Medicine

Daniel Bensky DO., offers an interactive exploration for a few of the many modalities of thought in the practice of East Asian medicine. As each one can be useful, it is a good idea to learn more than one of them. Together we will look at some cases from the perspective of various types of thought processes to experience how they work and how a shift in perspectives can be helpful.

Evening Lecture: The Impact of Japanese Styles of Acupuncture: Possible Implications for the Future

Stephen Brown LAc., speaks on the historical and cultural forces have shaped Japanese styles of acupuncture, and they were further influenced in transmission to the West. As palpation-based acupuncture and with the use of unique needling styles, we will discuss how this system impacts Oriental medicine in both clinical practice and the implications and possible future impact of Japanese styles in the world of acupuncture.

Evening Lecture: Treating Injury and Trauma with Ear Acupuncture

Susan Scott lAc., offers this lecture on whiplash and MVAs, to sports injuries and other traumas. She will talk about the Vascular Autonomic Signal (VAS), a feedback system developed by Paul Nogier to find the most “alive point” on the ear to treat which allows practitioners to accurately locate active points, identify dysfunctional points that are not painful on palpation, test for and locate areas of blockage to healing that are reflected in the auricle, and to question and identify hemispheric laterality.

Evening Lecture: Nudging the Ying: The Use of Indirect Moxa in the Treatment of Children

Christopher Huson LAc., lectures about pediatrics. It has been said that ‘all children’s illnesses arise in the Spleen” and the Ying qi is produced by the Spleen – Stomach. The Ying qi manifests as nourishment and development; and that children’s primary energetic trajectory is of growth and development. Thus, strengthening the Yinq qi through indirect moxibustion can be the simplest treatment for most children’s illnesses.

Evening Lecture: New Perspectives on the Chong Mai

In this lecture, Dan Tennenbaum DAOM, LAc., will discuss the Chinese character “chong” and its meaning, as well as elucidating the main channel and the four branches of the Chong Mai, their physiological effect and chief clinical signs. Understanding the differences between the TCM and biomedical concepts of blood based on the Chong Mai clarifies aspects of erythropoiesis, the marrow, the term “Essence”, and the differences between normal Qi, ancestral Qi and the concept of Tian Gui.

Evening Lecture: Panel Discussion on Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

This panel discussion features James Blair L.Ac., Stephen Brown L.Ac., Leah Concannon MD, and Mark Looper PT, MS. Patient outcomes are often best served by a collaborative approach to treatment. In this lecture, a panel of experts will discuss and demonstrate perspectives on thoracic outlet syndrome. From the lens of acupuncture, physical therapy, and an MD physiatrist, the presenters will discuss a live patient case and show their approach to treatment as an integrated care team.

Evening Lecture: Integration of Eastern and Western Approaches to Leaky Gut Syndrome

Stephen Hall MD and Christina Jackson M.Ac., LAc, discuss their perspectives on increased intestinal permeability or “leaky gut”, which is a common modern problem with wide ranging consequences. In this lecture we will examine what it is, how to recognize it, and how to treat it from an integrative medical perspective that includes western medicine, functional medicine, psychosocial factors, and Chinese Medicine.