STUDYING CHINESE MEDICINE
Studying Chinese medicine offers a range of benefits both personally and professionally. Students of Chinese medicine gain knowledge in the TCM field while also sharpening diagnostic skills and the appreciation of the subtleties of Chinese medicine. Studying diagnostics is one of the main components of the education in TCM. Diagnostics is a topic of study that focuses on diagnosis of diseases and syndromes, practiced through examination, and based on theory and methodology of traditional Chinese medicine. Diagnostics connects theory with clinical practice. Students first study theory and methods, in academic training, that examines pathological conditions while developing the ability to analyze differentiating syndromes. Students study diagnostics in the context of the clinical specialties of TCM, (acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and Tui Na). By studying both theory and diagnostics, students then become capable of uniting theory and practice that results in clinical practice. Students study the therapeutic methods based on syndrome differentiation. Students also receive an extensive knowledge in Western bio-medical sciences. Students of Chinese medicine also study, in depth, traditional Chinese pharmacy and prescriptions, herbs, and commonly used drugs. Academic training includes studying methods for treating frequently encountered diseases.
Dr. Gordon Xu shows two student interns how to check freshness of chinese herbs	Studying Chinese medicine requires commitment to a rigorous academic and clinical training program. Based upon this foundation of theory and diagnostics, students then study disease formation as related to the specialties of internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, ophthalmology, traumatology, and orthopedics. Students also receive in-depth training in the specialties of Chinese medicine, including methods and theory of acupuncture and moxibustion, herbal medicine, and massage, (Tui Na).
Study includes identifying the kinds of diseases suitable for treatment through acupuncture and moxibustion, and kinds of diseases treatable through Tui Na application. Students also receive training in the diseases that respond best to rehabilitation therapy within the context of traditional Chinese medicine. Upon graduation from the program, students have developed a foundation base in traditional Chinese medicine, with core training in clinical skills applicable to acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine prescription, and Tui Na therapy treatments. The study of Chinese medicine is challenging and rewarding. Depending on the program curriculum and content, the graduating student may enter into the profession of acupuncture, herbal medicine, or both. Graduates will have received professional training, which prepares them to use acupuncture, herbal medicine, and Tui Na to effectively treat a wide range of health conditions. Additionally, study trips to China are also offered to graduates from accredited institutions, who can then benefit from practice in Chinese hospitals, where TCM is practiced as the primary care medical system.