Health News
Auricular Acupuncture Level One Training

This 80-hour program provides level one certification as well as
CEUs for RMTs.  (Please check with
your jurisdiction for specific information on CEUs)

Auricular
acupuncture is the stimulation of acupuncture points on the external ear
surface for the treatment of patient health conditions. The ear holds a microsystem of the whole human system that is
consistent with the brain map discoveries of Canadian neuroscientist Wilder
Penfield in the 1940’s. Dr. Penfield found that the brain holds a discernable
map of the human body. Stimulation of a brain area could be felt by the patient
in the corresponding region of the body. This brain map is projected onto
different areas of the body, as “microsystems”, such as the sole of the foot
and the iris of the eye. The ear holds the most dense and specific reflection of
that brain map, providing the practitioner with an accessible, safe and
detailed gateway for both assessment and treatment of most disorders.
Points not accessible with body acupuncture (such as hypothalamus) are
available here!

The
earliest use of ear acupuncture, like body acupuncture, is thousands of years
old. Auricular acupuncture, as we know it today, however, is largely the result
of the discoveries and work of Dr. Paul Nogier of Lyon, France. In the
early-1950’s, Nogier, a medical doctor who taught neurology at the local
medical school and had trained in Oriental acupuncture, was intrigued by
patient reports of healing of back pain through cauterizing points on the ear,
and ancient references to ear acupuncture. He spent the next decades pursuing
empirical research. Nogier quickly discovered that stimulation of the ear
acupuncture points were highly effective in alleviating pain and other symptoms
in other parts of the body. Now, sixty years later, many exciting and
fascinating developments in understanding this medicine and how to use it for
complex assessment and treatments are being tested and offered by trained
practitioners around the world. It is particularly effective for relief and
management of conditions such as: neurological and muscular pain; migraines;
allergies; stress; insomnia; anxiety; depression; hormonal imbalances; and
irritable bowel syndrome.

The
Vital Principle Institute training program in auricular acupuncture steps
students through a learning process that will result in bringing this technique
for both assessments and treatments into clinical health practice. The program
will be offered in the following format on the dates mentioned here:

Seminar
I:  Foundations of German Auricular Medicine.  September 20-November
22, 2012. This is an online, nine-week course with podcasts, charts,
research resources and a weekly live class that is recorded for those who
cannot make the set time.  Graduates of this course will have:
comprehensive knowledge of the history and theory of auricular acupuncture;
ability to precisely locate active acupuncture points on the ear to effectively
treat acute and chronic pain; capacity to use the ear for assessment of
pathology.  This course includes a final test and comprises 32 study hours
in total.  

Seminar II: Enhanced Assessment
and Treatment.  November 29-December 2, 2012. Calgary. This course is an onsite, 3.5 days practical seminar. 
Through demonstration, hands-on practice and presentations, participants will
enhance their skills and knowledge in: precision and effectiveness of
treatments; clearing scar tissue blockages; enhanced case management using
symptoms, functional support and focus disturbances; additional acupuncture
points for Energy and Stress.  The course includes a practical exam for a
total duration of 26 hours. 

Clinical Practicum I. 
December 15 – April 15, 2012. This
is an online course where students can work through case studies with a
learning group and an instructor. The course is 22 hours in length.