Everyday Chinese Medicine (Coursera)

In the first part of this course, learners will develop skills in applying basic theory of Chinese medicine (CM) for understanding health and illnesses, and be able to compare and contrast views from Chinese and western medicine perspectives. In the second part, learners will be able to diagnose their own CM body constitution, and to apply appropriate CM self-care practice including food therapy, acupressure, Baduanjin and meditation. Learners will also be able to identify commonly used Chinese herbs, and to describe the core principle of acupuncture.

Specific competencies include:

1. State the basic theory of Chinese medicine and compare it with the principle of western medicine.

2. Apply the diagnostic approach of Chinese medicine and describe one’s body constitution.

3. Describe the core principle of Chinese herbs and acupuncture, and to understand their role in promoting health and wellness.

4. Develop self-care plan according to body constitution, using the practice of food therapy, acupressure, and Baduanjin.

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Chinese Medicine: Introduction to Basic Theory

In this session, the learners will develop detailed understanding of the role of Zang-fu in manifesting health and disease in human body. The inter-relationship between various Zang-fu organs will also be introduced.

WEEK 2

Zang-Fu Organs Concepts in Chinese Medicine

This part is about the application of Zang-fu Organs concepts in understanding health and disease.

WEEK 3

Relationship between Zang-Fu Organs; An introduction of Qi in Chinese medicine

In this session, the learners will develop further knowledge on how the inter-relationship between various Zang-fu organs contribute to health and diseases in human body. The session ends with an introduction to the concept of Qi in Chinese medicine.

WEEK 4

Blood, Body Fluids and Pathogenesis of disease in Chinese Medicine

The session starts with an introduction to the concept of Blood and Body Fluid in Chinese medicine, followed with an overview of the principles of pathogenesis in Chinese medicine.

WEEK 5

Basics of Chinese Medicine Diagnostics (I)

Diagnostics techniques are the bridge between basic theories and clinical practice in Chinese medicine. Long history of clinical practice allowed the accumulation of rich diagnostic experiences among generations of Chinese medicine practitioners, facilitating the formation of a comprehensive diagnostic system. This system includes the Four Examinations of inquiry, inspection, listening, and palpation, diagnosis of disease, and differentiation of syndrome. Diagnosis of disease and differentiation of syndrome are achieved by analyzing information obtained from the Four Examinations. It is essential to perform both diseases diagnosis and syndrome differentiation. In this session, the learners will know how to distinguish these two processes, which is important to understand the definitions of disease, symptoms, syndrome and syndrome differentiation.