Balance System Acupuncture Program Outline
Ways and Streams to Learn Balance System Acupuncture
Level 1
Single Systems
Foundations 1
How to balance one channel for one channel. One and a half days, 9 CEUs.
This course provides the basic foundations of five main systems (six in total) of Balance System Acupuncture, an evolution of Balance Method.
The systems are rooted in the concept of healing the body by balancing channels. Students will learn the history of the Balance Method/System, the basis of each of the Five Systems, and the logical processes for determining the channels to acupuncture, including an easy-to-use format to outline the treatment plan. Participants will be able to apply the concepts immediately in practice and develop effective treatments.
A detailed explanation of the Holography (Mirroring and Imaging) Formats will also be explained to assist participants in effective point selection. Dr. Tan will show how to use distal points in order to avoid aggravating the area of discomfort and will include demonstrations and hands-on practice. Particular attention will be paid to musculo-skeletal conditions in this introductory level.
Prerequisite: Minimum 250 hours of certified foundational Acupuncture and Chinese medicine training and legally allowed to practice in your jurisdiction.
This course expands on the basic principles taught in Balance System Acupuncture – Level 1: Single Systems. This class will discuss treatment of functional and internal disorders and how to treat them with multiple systems of the Balance System Acupuncture.
Students will expand on the knowledge from Level 1, extending their clinical reach from musculoskeletal (MSK), orthopedics and pain, to treating internal medicine disorders, including the discussion of complicated cases that include both MSK pain and functional internal disorders.
The Holography (mirror and imaging) format will be further discussed and how it is used in clinical practice to treat internal issues and body pain. Advanced treatments with be discussed for use in clinic such as Eight-Channel combo for women’s health and a Nine-Channel combo for digestive disorders. A Four-Meridian approach will also be discussed as a treatment strategy to treat bronchial disorders, cardiology symptoms, digestive disorders and urogenital diseases.
Dr. Tan will systematically discuss how practitioners can approach complicated cases involving multiple meridians in clinical practice using advanced balance methods. In addition, this course will provide the foundation, and is a prerequisite, for further advanced levels such as Level 3 – Channel Conversion.
Case studies will be discussed to assist students in understanding the material including digestive, respiratory, gynecological and emotional disorders. Practitioners will understand how to approach complicated cases involving multiple channels in clinical practice, have hands-on practice with newly introduced acupoints and techniques and have feedback from the teaching team.
Prerequisite: Single Systems – Level 1.
Levels 1+2 are the basic required Foundations of Balance System Acupuncture
Level 3
How to balance one channel for one channel. Two days, 10 CEUs; Certificate program + Grand Rounds 4 CEUs.
In this advanced course, Dr. Tan will expand on the applications of Balance System Acupuncture and discuss a variety of internal syndromes including digestive, respiratory, gynecological and emotional disorders using “Channel Conversion”.
This class will further explore the relationships of the channels to the Guas of the I Ching and Multiple System balances. By exploring these connections, practitioners will learn how to develop simple treatments that affect the body at a deep energetic level. The history of Zang-Fu diagnosis used for herbal diagnosis and treatment will be discussed and instruction will be given to teach students how to equate their Zang-Fu diagnosis with a Meridian diagnosis in order to devise effective acupuncture treatments.
Finally, there will be discussion on cases of the practical application of Channel Conversion.
Prerequisite: Single + Multiple Systems – Level 1 + 2.
Level 4
The Twelve Meridian / Magical System
How to balance all 12 meridians
One day, 7 CEUs; Certificate program + Grand Rounds 4 CEUs.
This course will provide an in-depth explanation of Dr. Richard Tehfu Tan’s Strategy of Twelve Magical Points designed to treat the entire body by regulating all 12 meridians.
This strategy was designed specifically for complicated pathological conditions by applying a unique combination of all 12 meridians, the Five Transporting Points, the Mirror/Imaging Format, Four Segment Timing, and the Yin/Yang Balancing Dynamic.
Each of these concepts will be discussed in detail in order to provide a clear understanding of the methodology behind the strategy of treating the whole body.
Prerequisite: Single + Multiple Systems – Level 1 + 2
Level 5
Five Phases / Elements Balancing
Using the Five Phases (Elements) and the I Ching to balance a meridian
One day, 7 CEUs; Certificate program + Grand Rounds 4 CEUs.
This course combines the theories behind two effective acupuncture systems: Five Phase (aka Element) Acupuncture and the Balance System. Attention is paid to which elements are associated with specific hexagrams of the I Ching, and how to balance these hexagrams using the Balance System. Advanced concepts of tonification and sedation will be discussed.
In addition, this course will explain how these concepts can be applied to stubborn cases of stagnation. Case studies will be discussed to help assist participants in a thorough understanding of this advanced system.
Prerequisite: Single Systems, Multiple Systems and Channel-Conversion – Levels 1 + 2 + 3.
Level 6
Balance in the Seasons
Using the I Ching to balance a meridian with a Seasonal issue
One day, 7 CEUs; Certificate program + Grand Rounds 4 CEUs.
In this course, students will expand their knowledge and application of the Balance System and discuss Seasonal and Four-Section timing. This is an advanced method of point selection based on the rhythms of nature and the five shu-transporting points. Our sleep cycles, hormonal levels and mental states are all affected by cyclical rhythms. Dr. Tan discusses the connection between channels, acupoints and the rhythms of our body and nature.
With this knowledge, different points will be more effective at various times of the day and during various seasons. In addition, she will expand the discussion of the I Ching and discuss how we can create a balance in the seasons by using the hexagram of the current season to balance the hexagram associated with an affected meridian. This system is effective for a variety of internal and external disorders.
Particular attention will be paid to disorders that are caused or exacerbated by seasonal changes such as allergies, joint pain, muscle aches and certain types of depression. Case studies will be discussed to help assist participants in a thorough understanding of this advanced system.
Prerequisite: Single Systems, Multiple Systems and Channel-Conversion – Levels 1 + 2 + 3.
Level 7
Combinations and Cases
Dive deep with cases and combining strategies
This class will touch on all of the Levels and methods of Balance System Acupuncture and what types of disorders are more suitable to certain methods. Many modern-day diseases often have overlapping patterns which include both physical and mental/Shen disorders. Therefore Dr. Sonia F. Tan feels many patients require a hybrid approach in which numerous strategies are combined in one treatment.
This class helps senior students who are skilled at the advanced methods of the Balance System Acupuncture and want to learn how/when to combine various treatment strategies. Discussion will include how it is important to still keep focus in each treatment so the treatment goal can be reached, and specific tonification and sedation techniques to help guide your treatments. There will be a focus on practical knowledge and many case studies will be discussed. Understand how to bring the advanced knowledge to a new level which will extend into clinical practice.
The course encourages students to bring cases and ask questions about their clinical cases and will include group work to devise treatments which will be discussed together.
Prerequisite: All previous modules, Levels 1 to 6.
Level 8
Comprehensive Review of Advanced Combinations, Practicum and Cases
Further application of layers, combinations and cases
This class will touch on all levels and methods of the Balance System of Acupuncture and review each strategy. The course will include review and refinement of the understanding of each level, case studies to enhance their understanding, and practical refinement.
The course will include case analysis using the various strategies combined in one treatment to provide further understanding and devise effective acupuncture treatments. Students will be able to show their comfort level of assessing and choosing the acupuncture strategies and treatments, through case studies, practical work and evaluations. Students will be demonstrating with hands-on practice their integrated learning of point location and needling, and the application of Single and Multiple and Advanced Balance Strategies. Lastly, students will dive into some new Chinese Metaphysics concepts to evolve their view of patient health.
There will be a focus on practical knowledge and many case studies will be discussed. Understand how to bring the advanced knowledge to a new level which will extend into clinical practice. The course encourages students to bring cases and ask questions about their clinical cases and will include group work to devise treatments which will be discussed together.
Prerequisite: All previous modules, Levels 1 to 7.
Level 9
Certificate level
Certified Balance System Acupuncture Practitioner. (Jade Level)
Prerequisite: All previous modules, Levels 1 to 8.
Top-flight level
Diamond Level
Certificate level
Passed all 9 levels + 1,000 patients + minimum 10 years of clinical practice, continual renewal and refinement of the Tan lineage of teaching. Has taken adjunct courses taught by Dr. Sonia F. Tan. Interviewed by Dr. Sonia F. Tan. Tutor level.
Adjunct Courses
Balance System Refinement and Learning Labs
Headaches+Migraines, Head+Face, OBGYN and other various topics – Review and refinement of the knowledge and application of the Balance Method/System.
Balance System Acupuncture (BSA) Refresher and Practical
Review, practical demonstrations and hands-on practice of the basic foundations of the six main systems of Balance System Acupuncture. Designed for those that have taken webinar or those who wish for more practical review, and are looking hands-on refinement of the “3 R’s”: Review, Refine, Refresh.
Sport Medicine Conditions and Terminology for the Acupuncturist
Deepen knowledge of common Sport Medicine and Athletic injury conditions.
Other Chinese Metaphysics
Five Phases/Elements refinement and more.
Further support – Completed BSA Foundations Levels 1 + 2 Single + Multiple/Global Balance
The Tan Academy of Balance Hub, is about YOU, the Balance Acupuncture and San Cai community. Find support, connect with like-minded people that speak the same language and desire continued growth, learning and expansion. Receive help and cheers from Dr. Sonia F. Tan and the TAB teaching team! Submit your completed TAB Foundations Levels 1+2 (including completed Dr. Sonia F Tan webinars) to hello(at)tanbalance.com to expedite your entry into the TAB HUB. Click here for more info on the TAB HUB!
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