Clinical study trip to Guangzhou, China October 2010

The College organises clinical study visits to well established hospitals in China for practitioners of acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine. These trips provide graduates with a valuable opportunity to find out more about the way Chinese medicine is currently practised in its country of origin. More…

Contemporary pulse diagnosis

Date: Wed 8 - Sun 12 Sept & Wed 3 - Sat 6 Nov 2010

Where: College of Integrated Chinese Medicine - Reading

Time: 10:00 - 17:00

Price: £

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Event description

A nine-day hands-on course on the fundamentals of the Shen-Hammer system with Scott Tower at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, Reading

This course offers a rare opportunity to develop advanced skills in pulse diagnosis. The Shen-Hammer system provides clear information about both constitution and current pathology, including the specific effects of past injuries, traumas, illnesses, life events and emotions. It can also be used to predict future pathology before it becomes manifest, offering the possibility for truly preventative medicine. Applying this system will transform your practice and profoundly impact your relationship with your patients.

This system was developed by Dr John HF Shen, a renowned diagnostician, and further systemised by Dr Leon Hammer. The teaching of this system has been refined over many years, as such the material can be absorbed in a clear manner through the introduction of individual building blocks of information and sensation. You will see that it is possible to learn pulse diagnosis in a systematic and reproducible way.

One of the problems with teaching the pulse is that there is usually not enough direct supervision and feedback; the pulse cannot be learned from a book or a correspondence course, it has to be a hands-on experience.

The structure of this two-part training:

Part 1 (five days) We will begin with an intensive hands-on focus, with the goal of awakening your fingers to the wide variety of sensations that can be felt on the pulse. For the experienced practitioner, this will be an opportunity to make sense of qualities you may have felt for years but did not know how to explain or interpret. Newer practitioners will find a clear structure that will help frame pulse taking for the future.
This system divides the pulse into three depths, qi, Blood and Organ. Learning to locate these is essential as they form the architecture that defines so many pulse qualities. In addition to the standard six principle positions, this system incorporates 22 complementary positions, all of which will be explained with hands-on feedback. You will also learn how to recognise and interpret a broad range of individual qualities.

Part 2 (four days) The first day will be a review of Part 1, with plenty of time for practice, reinforcement and questions. The following two days will involve working directly with patients. Initially Scott will feel and record each patient’s pulse in depth. Working in pairs, students will then have 40 minutes to try to feel what Scott felt whilst he is available for questions and clarification. This is the only way the pulse can be taught effectively; through direct explanation and feedback in relation to what you are feeling with your fingers. In the afternoons, and on the last day, using only the information provided by the pulse, a detailed diagnosis for each patient will be presented. We will then hear the history and current symptoms and integrate this with what the pulse revealed.

At the end of this course you will have a solid foundation for a practical and clinically useful approach to pulse diagnosis.

A comprehensive written manual will be provided for reference. Follow up support is also provided in the form of regular practice days for review as well as annual advanced classes for those who wish to continue their study of the pulse.

To enable direct supervision from this experienced instructor, class size will be limited. Early registration is strongly recommended.

For further details or questions about this course please email info@ahealingpartnership.org
For more information about this pulse system, visit www.dragonrises.org

What past participants have said about this course:
‘I can honestly say that going on (this) course was like opening a box of jewels…Using the Shen-Hammer approach to taking and interpreting the pulses gives a unique and accurate picture of the patient’s inner state… I recommend the course wholeheartedly to everyone who truly wants to develop their practice and take it to a new level of understanding.’

‘I have found this pulse course (to be) one of the most clinically useful things I have ever done.’

Scott Tower studied this pulse system extensively with Dr John Shen and Dr Leon Hammer (see dragonrises.org) and as a senior instructor he's taught it in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the UK. Recently returned to the States after nine years in the UK, he now lives, practises and teaches in Asheville, North Carolina.

Course fee

£ Refunds cannot be made unless replacement is found.

Parking and rail travel

Parking is available at the Oracle shopping centre nearby. There is no car parking available at the College. We are a short walk from Reading railway station, at 19 Castle Street. Click here for directions and a map.