Introduction to the Saam Acupuncture Tradition
Date(s): 20 - 21 June 2026
Time: 10am - 5pm
Eligibility: Acupuncture graduates
Venue: College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, Reading
Saam acupuncture is a 400 year old Korean monastic tradition, often performed by "wandering monks" who would walk from village to village, helping heal the community.
It is a quick and effective, 4 needle technique, that uses the classical texts within the framework of Yin/Yang, Five Elements, and Six Conformation (divisions) based principles.
The Saam tradition offers practitioners the invaluable opportunity to diagnose and treat using the most fundamental concepts of classical Chinese medicine.
Clinicians in this tradition assess and remedy relative states of heat and cold, excess and deficiency, aggression and peacefulness, dryness and moisture - whether their patients are suffering from the common cold or cancer.
This weekend course provides a foundation for the Saam Korean monastic acupuncture tradition. This introduction allows the participant to begin using this system in their clinic immediately after the completion of the course.
The course begins with an examination of the classical roots of the tradition, drawing from the Yi Jing, Huang Di Nei Jing, and Nan Jing texts.
Theory and concepts from these classical texts will be assembled into a framework of Yin/Yang, Five Elements, and Six Conformation (divisions) based principles.
These principles provide the diagnosis and treatment strategies for the tradition.
For example, in the Saam tradition each channel is counterbalanced by a channel that manifests the opposite characteristics. The Heart channel characteristic of strong fire and love, is counterbalanced by the Bladder channel characteristic of cold water and strong fear.
To supplement the Heart channel, the clinician may directly supplement the Heart channel, or choose to drain the Bladder channel. The decision to supplement the main channel or drain the counterbalancing channel is made by assessing the overall strength of the patient.
Participants will develop competency in evaluating these physical, mental, and emotional signs and symptoms, and will learn to correlate these findings with appropriate point selection and treatment methods.
There will be a particular emphasis on the critical importance of accurate diagnosis and the correction of faulty treatment protocols - for those times when the points have not done what you expected them or wanted them to do!
To move from theory to clinical application, participants will work in groups to apply their newly acquired understanding of theory to case studies.
Feedback provided by the instructor and discussion with colleagues will strengthen your grasp of theory.
The course will also analyse the distinctive characteristics of the Saam tradition in comparison to other acupuncture methodologies, so you can see where this style sits alongside your current understandings of TCM.
Saam acupuncture is a powerful and fundamental intervention that offers the quickest and longest lasting clinical results of the acupuncture traditions.
Finally, a special emphasis will be placed on seamlessly applying the system into your own clinic, so you can start treating straight away, after the weekend!
.
Toby Daly, PhD, LAc, is the developer of the apps "Chinese Nutritional Strategies" and "Chinese Medical Characters", and the author of "An Introduction to Chinese Medicine" and "The Saam Acupuncture Tradition". His current focus is on sharing his almost 30 years of clinical experience with the Saam tradition.
