CEU/TX CAE Acupuncture Seminar in Houston, TX: Clinical Master Tung's

Dear Acupuncturists,

I will be giving a seminar focusing on Clinical Master Tung's Acupuncture the weekend of November 17-18, 2007 in Houston. I just gave the seminar to a group here in Los Angeles and we had a good turnout and had both experienced and new people being introduced to the Master Tung Acupuncture system! Some people have asked me the significance of this seminar, and I wanted to reply.

To start with, this seminar focuses on the core of Master Tung's system used clinically for neuromusculoskeletal disorders, which is great for any acupuncturist dealing with pain and/or rehabilitation. It focuses on methods that have an almost instantaneous result. Upon insertion of the needles, one can tell if there is progress or not, then opt for another protocol, if necessary.

On day two of the seminar, I teach the Master Tung points for Internal medicine problems, along with clinical use of herbal prescriptions. More importantly, I teach acupuncturists how to think to develop their point prescriptions, rather than following what I call "cookbook acupuncture". Both days I teach unique protocols that I developed for the clinic, not methods culled from other books or teachers. If they did not work, I did not include them.

For those new to the Master Tung system, I also teach the basic principles and concepts of the system, and the most common points of the system, so that a starting or experienced acupuncturist could use the system immediately in the clinic. I have already travelled throughhout the United States, Canada and parts of Europe to teach these methods. The feedback regarding my protoicols has been excellent!

This seminar deals with unique and exceptional points of Master Tung will be taught. Many of these points will have an instant reaction with the patient. These may be used singly or in combination with pother systems of acupuncture you have already studied! One does not need to have studied the other components of the Tung Acupuncture system to make this system accessible to them! Immediately on Monday, Acupuncturists will be able to implement this in their practice and see the efficacy of these points.

Rather than just relying on rote "cookbook" type recipes for given conditions, this course will step up the game plan of any practicing acupuncturist by letting them select the most potent points of acupuncture based on the disease and flexibly make up acupuncture formulas that have immediate clinical effect. Finally, since I am fluent in English and Chinese, and bridge East and West, modern and ancient, I offer a unique perspective in the practice of Acupuncture. I hope to help Acupuncturists improve and succeed in this great field of medicine.

Best regards,

--
Robert Chu, PhD, L.Ac. QME
chusauli@gmail.com

See my webpages at: www.chusaulei.com

If you'd like to learn Master Tung's system to:

- Increase your clinical efficacy

- Speed your clinical diagnosis utilizing the classical acupuncture methods and get instantaneous results

- Expand your range of treatment options

- Enhance your treatments in the clinic

- Improve your practice

- Learn it all clearly by a native English speaker who bridges East and West

- Discover proven clinical procedures for pain and internal medicine problems

- Master a new protocol for using Master Tung Acupuncture for your patients

- Improve your acupuncture skills

The upcoming seminar on Clinical Master Tung's Acupuncture in Houston, TX will be November 17-18, 2007 at the:

Courtyard by Marriott Houston-Westchase

9975 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77042 (713) 784-3003 FAX (713)-784-9009

On day one, students and practitioners will be taught the principles of Master Tung's Acupuncture, then followed by Master Tung's top 18 points, then move Into Neuromusculoskeletal disorders. This is great if you want to treat pain and rehabilitate patients.

On day two, we will discuss the usage of Tung's points for Internal Medicine problems and making the transition from the conventional TCM system to Master Tung's system. Herbal remedies will also be discussed on how to optimize your practice!

Fee: $325/2 days, students $250/2 days, As a special incentive, I will extend the $25 discount for early registration until 11/2/07, No refunds. I especially like students to come as they are the next generation and have something exciting and new for them at a reduced cost!

15 Ca CEU's and 15 TX CAE's approved, Classes are open to beginner and advanced alike.

Call 626 487-1815 to register

Robert Chu, an exciting and dynamic speaker, has been practicing the Martial and Chinese healing arts since childhood and specializes in Master Tung Acupuncture and Optimal Acupuncture methods for treating pain,
neuromusculoskeletal disorders, and internal medicine problems. Dr. Chu is a graduate and Diplomate in Tung's Acupuncture under Dr. Young Wei-chieh of the World Association of Tung's Acupuncture.

He founded, in mid 2005, ITARA (International Tung's Acupuncture Research Association), a non-political organization devoted to the preservation, standardization, education, and research of Tung's Acupuncture, offering classes for the spread and advancement of Tung's Acupuncture.

In July of 2004, Dr. Chu was selected as the Acupuncturist to Olympic athletes at the Olympic Trials held in Sacramento, CA. He has lectured throughout the United States, Canada and Europe on Master Tung's
Acupuncture.

--
Robert Chu, PhD, L.Ac. QME
chusauli@gmail.com

See my webpages at: www.chusaulei.com

Stickin' It To Us

I came across this parody today that was marginally funny, although some of the other material on this site is downright hilarious. Have a laugh, check it out.

Acupuncture Proven to Relieve the Suffering of the Dead

Using the Needle After the Knife

Numerous articles came out today about the effects of decreasing the need for pain medicine following surgery. Of course, this came along with an onslaught of articles refuting the success of acupuncture for IVF, but I wanted to focus on the positive.

Studies find acupuncture cuts post-surgical pain
Tue Oct 16, 2007 5:35pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The use of acupuncture before and during surgery reduces patients' post-operative pain as well as the need for pain-killing medication, researchers said on Tuesday.

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina analyzed the results of 15 clinical trials on the effectiveness of acupuncture -- a practice that originated in China of inserting thin needles into specific body points.


They concluded that it is valuable for pain control in surgery patients.

The 15 trials showed that patients getting acupuncture before or during various types of
operations had significantly less pain afterward than patients who did not get acupuncture.
These patients also required less morphine or other opioid pain medication after surgery, which reduced the side effects like nausea and vomiting from these types of drugs, the researchers said.

In terms of pain-drug side effects, the acupuncture patients experienced 1.5 times lower rates of nausea, 1.6 times fewer reports of dizziness and 3.5 times fewer cases of urinary retention compared to the other patients, the study found.

These findings augment a growing body of evidence on the value of acupuncture in improving the surgical experience for patients, the researchers said.

Read More

A Weekend with Mei Zen

Since I can never get enough CEU's, this past weekend I attended the Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture for the Face and I wanted to share a breakdown of the 2-day seminar.

The System: As I had to sign a releases that I cannot talk about specifics of treatment, I will leave the description general. As in other systems, Mei Zen includes a total body acupuncture treatment, uses the eight extraordinary point combinations, and is affiliated with a product line. What makes this system unique is that the same facial protocol is used on every patient and that it makes use of crossing and apex groups as described in the Huang Di Nei Jing. While I cannot disclose the points, I can tell you there are nearly 85 specialty needles in the face, all of which are inserted without a guide tube.

After watching the demo, I was surprised at the lack of "facial" as I typically incorporate masks and massage in my treatments, but the instructor states that is the practitioner's preference how much of this they want to incorporate in addition to the protocol. A wealth of nutritional, herbal, and marketing materials are provided which would be useful even if you did not want to practice cosmetic acupuncture.

Aside from cosmetic acupuncture, Mei Zen is about branding. At the seminar, T-shirts, hats, logo CDs, and cards were for sale, and Martha sponsors a Google group so the Mei Zen community has an open discussion forum. In order to be "certified" and listed on the main website, you must present cases and have your needling technique observed at a special certification seminar. This ensures standards of practice and is a good device for building further branding and loyalty. Above everything else, this is a well conceived business plan!

The Instructor: Martha Lucas is all knowledge and no fluff - her matter-of-fact method really gibes with my learning style. She had a strong foundation in her particular style of acupuncture and is an enthusiastic, articulate presenter. Her supervised practice was invaluable, she was open to knowledge offered by seminar participants, and she was humble enough to only answer questions she knew the answer to. She kept good control over the seminar in terms of ensuring everyone stayed on task, was able to give detailed, individualized feedback of needling technique, and demonstrated great respect and deference to her own teachers.

My only criticism is that she did make some disparaging and somewhat uninformed comments about "rival" facial acupuncture instructors and their techniques. I have never taken Virgina Doran's seminar, but I did participate in Mary Elizabeth Wakefield's and there are many similarities between the two systems. That being said, I am would love to attend her Pulse Seminar and Mei Zen system for weight loss, infertility and health issues should they ever be located nearby.

The Product: Lili Flora is the affiliated skin care line that uses all natural western herbal ingredients. I was able to pick the founder's brain about the products, but I would have liked for her to have had some presentation time during the seminar. There was no sales pressure to buy these products and in fact, if you are at all crafty and like to experiment, it would be easy to make most of them in your kitchen. I have been using some of the products at home and feel they are of good quality and smell wonderful.

I am glad I attended this seminar if only for the great nutritional/herbal information and marketing ideas presented. I think Mei Zen is a solid system, and while the apex and crossing points are a good theory, but honestly, threading works and is no more uncomfortable that the Mei Zen way if performed properly. Ultimately, it is my patients who decide what method they prefer. I hope to continue to study with Martha in the future as she is a dynamic, innovative, and practical instructor who provides good value and knowledge for your CEU dollar.

Quick Affordable San Diego Acupuncture

This is how I think acupuncture should be practiced... it will suit some patients and not others. I think a lot of people will be helped by this:

Acupuncture should be Affordable: Think about people who need acupuncture but whose jobs and finances have been affected by their ailment. What about senior citizens with fixed incomes? What about those laid off work because of injuries and without disability funds?

How can they get acupuncture if acupuncture is $60 or more per treatment? If they need 6-8 treatments just to start, and if it's best to get acupuncture once or twice a week, they need $400-500 spare at least... that's too much for some. Acupuncture shouldn't be just a luxury for the rich.

What if it cost half as much? $30 a treatment. How many more people could get the relief they need?

Acupuncture works without talk therapy: Some acupuncturists talk to each patient for 15 to 30 minutes every visit. Add re-diagnosis, needle insertion, and removal time, and they spend 45-60 minutes with each patient. To make a living, they have to charge $60 per treatment. [We don't keep all the money- there are business costs like needes, malpractice insurance, continuing education, office rental, receptionist, postage, etc.]

Acupuncture, like ex-lax, works regardless of what we say or think, with or without talk, with or without relaxing music, etc.

It's the acupuncture you really need- if you need talk therapy, see a therapist. If you need a friend, get a friends. I'm a friendly guy and I like to make fun of myself for your amusement, and I like my patients, but I don't think people they're paying me to be their best friend... people are paying for the healing effects of the acupuncture.

The way we were taught to practice in school is very time-intensive... It's nice, but it's expensive- what if you just want the benefits of the acupuncture?

Low Cost, Effective Acupuncture

The practice model I'm creating is to get affordable acupuncture to more people. Why is this so important to me?

• I think it's the right thing to do. It's where my heart is. I felt conflicted in the past, charging so much money. My belief is that as a healer and helper, I'm supposed to help people. I don't feel good excluding those with more limited means. Heck, I know what that's like- I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth!
  
• Another part of it is that I don't want to be a talk therapist- it's not what I was trained to do. I was trained to diagnose people's health conditions from an Asian medicine perspective and treat them with herbs and acupuncture.
• I got extra training in acupuncture and so I do quick, effective acupuncture. That saves patients money so I can help more people. To do that, I have to see more patients per hour. I can't do talk therapy if I want to be efficient and keep the price down.

What does this quick acupuncture treat? Can I treat anything and everything this way? No, some people have very complicated, chronic internal problems. They need more time from a diagnostician. They may need a customized herbal formula. I know how to do that, but it takes time and that costs money- there are herbalists and internal medicine practitioners who love to practice that way- like my practice partner Christian Dionese.

What can I treat that way?

• Just about any type of pain- for example: muscle pain, nerve pain, chronic pain, and headaches.
  
• I've also helped with insomnia, migraines, and various nervous system disorders...
  
• I can do the smoking/drug/alcohol cessation treatment called NADA
• And if you're not sure, ask me!

How can you get an appointment?

I'm not currently practicing, but I may in the very near future- if you're interested, call Kristin at 322-9200 with your email and phone number and we'll contact you when I'm available.

All the best!
Brian