Integrative Medicine Council

Chinese Medicine and the Opioid Epidemic
2022-08-28 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online Webinar
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The opioid epidemic is a crisis we haven’t seen before. The marketing of the pharmaceutical industry combined with overuse by medical doctors and patient abuse have resulted in rampant addictions, overdoses, and deaths. Chinese medicine can help play a role at many levels in helping this public health failure. This course will examine the epidemic, look at the drugs involved, addictions in general and specific to the epidemic. Most importantly, this course will discuss how to treat this epidemic in our clinics including discussing the interactions between acupuncture and opioid receptors, and helpful approaches, herbs, and acupuncture points.

Treating Neck and Back Pain with Chinese Medicine
2022-09-04 13:00 - 16:00
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By far the most common conditions most acupuncturists treat are neck and back pain. And most acupuncturists do a really good job at it. This course takes an integrative approach to treating these conditions and will expand our diagnostic and treatment acumen. It will look at how to ask questions to solicit diagnostic details, conduct a thorough acupuncture-centric exam, develop appropriate and effective treatment protocols, and properly document all of it. No matter if you are new to treating these conditions or an expert at it, you will learn something new and interesting.

Sperb's Herbs – Aloe Vera
2022-09-10 13:00 - 14:00
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This is an exciting episode of the Sperb’s Herbs podcast. This episode covers the common herb Aloe Vera. Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb. And then there is always something a little quirky about an episode. Whether that is a unique story or an interesting perspective, there will always be something different to learn about Aloe Vera.

Sperb's Herbs – Yi Yi Ren
2022-09-24 13:00 - 14:00
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This is an exciting episode of the Sperb’s Herbs podcast. This episode covers the Chinese herb Yi Yi Ren (Chinese Pearl Barley). Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of Chinese herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb. And then there is always something a little quirky about an episode. Whether that is a unique story or an interesting perspective, there will always be something different to learn about Yi Yi Ren (Chinese Pearl Barley).

Treating Knee, Elbow, and Shoulder Pain with Chinese Medicine
2022-10-16 13:00 - 16:00
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The majority of most acupuncturists’ practices are orthopedic and neurological. Knee, elbow, and shoulder pains are incredibly common. And the shoulder is probably the most complex joint in the body. This course takes an integrative approach to treating these conditions and will expand our diagnostic and treatment acumen. It will look at how to ask questions to solicit diagnostic details, conduct a thorough acupuncture-centric exam, develop appropriate and effective treatment protocols, and properly document all of it. No matter if you are new to treating these conditions or an expert at it, you will learn something new and interesting.

Treating Eczema and Psoriasis with Chinese Medicine
2022-10-23 13:00 - 16:00
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Eczema and psoriasis, though both quite common, can be very difficult to treat from both a biomedical and Chinese medical perspective. This course takes a deep dive into these two conditions from both points of view. First, we will explore the biomedical side of these conditions: what are they, how are they diagnosed and monitored, what are the current treatments (including drugs, light therapy, etc…) and how effective are they. Then we will look at potential Chinese medical diagnoses and how to treat them using acupuncture and herbs. Are we able to plot a course that combines the two perspectives to make a more effective treatment? Or is Chinese medicine alone enough? Let’s find out!

Treating High Cholesterol with Chinese Medicine
2022-10-30 13:00 - 15:00
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High cholesterol and triglycerides (hyperlipidemias) have been shown to contribute to heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. Drugs used to treat these conditions are consistently in the top ten drugs sold in the US. Chinese medicine can help these patients in natural and effective ways. This course looks at the biomedical side of these conditions including the pathophysiology, common (and not so common) lab tests, and treatments, mostly pharmaceuticals. Then we will look at how Chinese medicine can help. We will discuss acupuncture, herbs, and lifestyle changes and the evidence to support their use. Practitioners will walk away with a clear understanding of these conditions and tools on how to help their patients.

Why (Not How) Do Herbs Work?
2022-11-06 13:00 - 15:00
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We generally know how herbs work either from Chinese or scientific theory or a combination of both. But why do they work? What in the history of plants, animals, and evolution created the benefits of these healthy little bundles? This lecture will examine these questions, in a mind-opening and scientific (but not overwhelming) approach, by exploring Gaia theory, hormesis and xenohormesis, planetary autopoiesis, DNA and epigenetics, and Plant–Human Coalitions. This will be a logical and philosophical exploration of herbs, why and how co-evolution has played a role in their effectiveness.

Five Elements of Acupuncture Medical Ethics
2022-11-13 13:00 - 16:00
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This course will look at basic medical ethics and how they apply to Acupuncture and Oriental Medical practices. It will cover the five basic principles/areas every practitioner should know. It then goes on to explore fundamental medical ethics including looking at the works of Hippocrates and Sun Si Miao and discussing the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment as well as NCCAOM’s Code of Ethics. And finally, there will be a discussion of real world ethical issues that practitioners need to deal with in their everyday interactions with patients. The goal of this course is to give a basic theoretical background to medical ethics and then make them relevant to one’s practices.

Sperb's Herbs - Cang Er Zi San (Xanthium Powder)
2022-11-19 13:00 - 14:00
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This is an exciting episode of the Sperb’s Herbs podcast. This episode covers the Chinese formula Cang Er Zi San (Xanthium Powder). Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of Chinese herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb. And then there is always something a little quirky about an episode. Whether that is a unique story or an interesting perspective, there will always be something different to learn about Cang Er Zi San (Xanthium Powder).

Protecting Yourself Through Proper Charting
2022-11-20 13:00 - 15:00
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This course looks at how to do a proper chart and examines some of the common mistakes made when charting. Based on the instructors experience with medical charting and over 12 years of clinical supervising, seeing all the mistakes and studying what makes a great chart. In addition, this course will discuss medicolegal aspects of SOAP notes as well as the SOAPE note. This course is a must take for anyone who wishes to protect themselves legally as well give the best care to their patients.

Sperb's Herbs - Zao Xin Tu (Furnace Soil)
2022-12-03 13:00 - 14:00
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This is an exciting episode of the Sperb’s Herbs podcast. This episode covers the Chinese herb Zao Xin Tu (Furnace Soil). Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of Chinese herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb. And then there is always something a little quirky about an episode. Whether that is a unique story or an interesting perspective, there will always be something different to learn about Zao Xin Tu (Furnace Soil).

Seven Steps to Avoiding Drug-Herb Interactions
2022-12-04 13:00 - 14:00
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We may not be able to predict all drug-herb interactions, but we can determine potentials for interactions. This seminar examines an easy way to approach these potential drug-herb interactions using 7 straight-forward steps. A discussion of protein binding, cytochrome P450, and the therapeutic index, form the foundation of this understanding. This is a must take seminar to protect your patients and yourself.
This seminar is based on my book published by Blue Poppy: Integrative Pharmacology, Combining modern pharmacology and integrative medicine written with Bob Flaws.

Protecting Your Patients: Mandatory Reporting
2022-12-04 14:30 - 15:30
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There is an ethical and legal responsibility for healthcare practitioners to report certain things. While each state may mandate different things, especially for acupuncturists, there are several areas covered by mandatory reporting laws including diseases, child and elder abuse, and suicide and harm to others. This course looks at the roles and responsibilities of acupuncturists and how to proceed with a report. It will also answer questions such as: Are there any risks to reporting? Can my patients sue me? What if I am wrong? If you are in practice and see any children, elderly, or potentially mentally ill, this course is incredibly important, not only to protect yourself, but to protect your patients.

Sperb's Herbs - Shilajit
2022-12-17 13:00 - 14:00
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This is an exciting episode of the Sperb’s Herbs podcast. This episode covers the herb Shilajit. Each episode covers another traditional herb from somewhere in the world and will go into great depth about it. Besides covering the basics of the herb including its traditional use and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb. And then there is always something a little quirky about an episode. Whether that is a unique story or an interesting perspective, there will always be something different to learn about episode’s herb.

Treating Arthritis with Chinese Medicine
2022-12-18 13:00 - 16:00
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One in four American adults are diagnosed with arthritis (https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/national-statistics.html). And, as Chinese medical practitioners, we often see it in the clinic. This course will look at various arthitides, especially osteo- and rheumatoid, from both a biomedical and Chinese medical point of view. We will discuss real world approaches to diagnosing and treating these painful conditions as well as educating our patients about them. If you haven’t treated a lot of arthritis patients, this course will give you the foundations for doing so effectively. If you are experienced at treating these conditions, this course will give you the current biomedical approaches as well new perspectives on Chinese medical approaches. No matter what your experience, this is a vital course for treating your patients.

Sperb's Herbs – Vasaka (Adhatoda vasica) and Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizome)
2025-01-19 13:00 - 15:00
Click here to sign up for this webinar We are going to be recording two episodes of the Sperb’s Herbs podcast. The first covers another herb of the world, Vasaka (Adhatoda vasica), another herb from the Ayurvedic traditions. The second episode covers the Chinese herb Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizome) from the herbs that drain fire category. Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb. And then there is always something a little quirky about an episode. Whether that is a unique story or an interesting perspective, there will always be something different to learn about these herbs and formula!
Conditions covered include, but are not limited to, colds, bleeding, burns, digestive complaints, headaches, and sinusitis.

Treating COVID and Other Viral Infections with Chinese Medicine
2025-01-26 13:00 - 16:00
Click here to sign up for this webinar COVID has changed our lives. This course looks at how to treat this disease, through its various phases including preventing, treating the initial stages, and any long-haul signs and symptoms using both acupuncture and herbs, as well as other Chinese modalities. We will explore the currently known science behind this virus as well as more general approaches to viral infections and how we approach them from a Chinese medical point of view. This exploration will look at ancient approaches, such as in the Shang Han Lun and Wen Bing Xue, as well as current approaches from China. This is a firmly grounded integrative approach from both Western and Chinese understandings with practical approaches for treating your patients.

Pre-and Pro-Biotic and Digestant Supplements and Chinese Medicine
2025-02-02 13:00 - 15:00
Click here to sign up for this webinar These are the 16th and 17th courses (however, don’t worry, you can take them in any order) in a series called Integrative Nutrition and will cover biomedical and integrative science of nutrition and explore the complementary and alternative concepts that are part of the modern supplement industry. This series will be one live class per month covering a category of nutrition and will include some basic biochemistry, nutrition, and supplements available on the market. In other words, it is going to be the perfect combination of biochemical nutrition, supplements, Chinese medicine, and real-world use cases, If you are a practitioner of any stripe or just interested in nutrition, this is the series for you,
This class will examine both pre-and pro-biotics and digestants and the physiological biochemistry supporting their use. We will examine them from a modern nutritional and chemical perspective while always having an eye on how they may explain some of the actions of Chinese medical herbs and vice versa. And we will be looking at the science of those supplements, trying to answer the question: do they work? There will be a lot of information and it will be immediately useful for treating our patients. This is a great course for helping patients with all sorts of digestive complaints.

Treating Allergies with Chinese Medicine
2025-02-09 13:00 - 16:00
Click here to sign up for this webinar Did you know that over 50 million people in the United States suffer from allergies and that it is the 6th leading cause of chronic illness? (https://tinyurl.com/539prtz8) As Chinese medical practitioners, allergies are a common complaint with many patients wondering if we can help. Of course we can! This course will look at various signs and symptoms of allergies from both a biomedical and Chinese medical point of view. We will discuss real world approaches to diagnosing and treating these conditions and will include a discussion of the major modalities of our medicine including both acupuncture and herbal interventions. Whether you are an expert or a beginner at treating allergies, there will be lots to learn (or relearn) from this course.

Ren Shen Bai Du San (Ginseng Powder to Overcome Pathogenic Influences) and Gao Ben (Chinese Lovage Root)
2025-02-16 13:00 - 15:00
Click here to sign up for this webinar We are going to be recording two episodes of the Sperb’s Herbs podcast. The first covers another Chinese formula, Ren Shen Bai Du San (Ginseng Powder to Overcome Pathogenic Influences), a formula that releases exterior disorders with interior deficiency. The second episode covers the Chinese herb Gao Ben (Chinese Lovage Root) from the warm, acrid herbs that release the exterior category. Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb. And then there is always something a little quirky about an episode. Whether that is a unique story or an interesting perspective, there will always be something different to learn about these herbs and formula!

Protein and Amino Acids and Chinese Medicine
2025-02-23 13:00 - 16:00
Click here to sign up for this webinar This is the first course in a series called Integrated Nutrition & Chinese Medicine and will cover biomedical and Chinese concepts of nutrition and explore the complementary and alternative concepts that are part of the modern supplement industry This series will be one live class per month covering a category of nutrition and will include some basic biochemistry, nutrition, and supplements available on the market. In other words, it is going to be the perfect combination of biochemical nutrition, supplements, Chinese medicine, and real-world use cases, If you are a practitioner of any stripe or just interested in nutrition, this is the series for you,
The first class will cover amino acids and proteins and we will examine their biochemistry, physiology, and their role in health and disease. After exploring this, we will look at supplements on the market, what they theoretically do and what the science says about their effectiveness. There will be a lot of information and it will be immediately useful for treating our patients.

Other Antimicrobial Drugs and Chinese Medicine
2025-03-02 13:00 - 15:00
Click here to sign up for this webinar This seminar will spend quite a bit of time discussing antivirals used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), coronavirus, herpes, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and some hepatitises. Additionally, antifungal, antiprotozoal, and anthelminthic (anti-worm) agents will be discussed. These discussions will, by necessity, also include life cycles of many of these of these pathogens. Within each type of agent, we will examine functions, red flag issues, mechanisms of action, adverse effects, and any potential interactions. This will be a fascinating exploration of some frequently treated conditions by Chinese medical practitioners as well as some that are quite uncommon. They may be uncommon, but they are still very interesting…

Treating Asthma with Chinese Medicine
2025-03-09 13:00 - 16:00
Click here to sign up for this webinar Did you know 5.8% of children and 8.4% of adults have asthma in the United States? That is over 25 million people! (https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/most_recent_national_asthma_data.htm) Have you ever heard of “the rule of thirds” or what are the five most common triggers for asthma? How do these triggers help us help our patients? As Chinese medical practitioners, we see a lot of asthma patients, whether it is a reason for coming to us or not. And we can help them! This course will look at the pathology and various signs and symptoms of asthma from both a biomedical and Chinese medical point of view. We will discuss real world approaches to diagnosing and treating this condition and will include a discussion of the major modalities of our medicine including both acupuncture and herbal interventions. Whether you are an expert or a beginner at treating asthma, there will be lots to learn (or relearn) from this course.

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) and Sang Ye (White Mulberry Leaf)
2025-03-16 13:00 - 15:00
Click here to sign up for this webinar We are going to be recording two episodes of the Sperb’s Herbs podcast. The first covers another herb of the world, Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), a very interesting herb with pain relieving properties and is banned or almost banned in many developed countries. The second episode covers the Chinese herb Sang Ye (White Mulberry Leaf) from cool, acrid herbs that release the exterior category. Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb. And then there is always something a little quirky about an episode. Whether that is a unique story or an interesting perspective, there will always be something different to learn about these herbs and formula!

Metabolism and Chinese Medicine
2025-03-23 13:00 - 16:00
Click here to sign up for this webinar This is the second course in a series called Integrative Nutrition & Chinese Medicine and will cover biomedical and Chinese concepts of nutrition and explore the complementary and alternative concepts that are part of the modern supplement industry This series will be one live class per month covering a category of nutrition and will include some basic biochemistry, nutrition, and supplements available on the market. In other words, it is going to be the perfect combination of biochemical nutrition, supplements, Chinese medicine, and real-world use cases, If you are a practitioner of any stripe or just interested in nutrition, this is the series for you,
This class will cover metabolism including bioenergetics and sugar metabolism including glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and the citric acid cycle. We will examine their biochemistry, physiology, and their role in health and disease. After exploring this, we will look at supplements on the market, what they theoretically do and what the science says about their effectiveness. There will be a lot of information and it will be immediately useful for treating our patients.

Enzyme Supplements and Chinese Medicine
2025-03-30 13:00 - 15:00
Click here to sign up for this webinar This is the 18th course (however, don’t worry, you can take them in any order) in a series called Integrative Nutrition and will cover biomedical and integrative science of nutrition and explore the complementary and alternative concepts that are part of the modern supplement industry. This series will be one live class per month covering a category of nutrition and will include some basic biochemistry, nutrition, and supplements available on the market. In other words, it is going to be the perfect combination of biochemical nutrition, supplements, Chinese medicine, and real-world use cases, If you are a practitioner of any stripe or just interested in nutrition, this is the series for you,
This class will examine enzyme supplements and the physiological biochemistry supporting their use. We will examine them from a modern nutritional and chemical perspective while always having an eye on how they may explain some of the actions of Chinese medical herbs and vice versa. And we will be looking at the science of those supplements, trying to answer the question: do they work? There will be a lot of information and it will be immediately useful for treating our patients.

Treating Arthritis with Chinese Medicine
2025-04-06 13:00 - 16:00
Click here to sign up for this webinar Approximately, one in four American adults are diagnosed with arthritis (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/arthritis.htm).. And, as Chinese medical practitioners, we often see it in the clinic. This course will look at various arthitides, especially osteo- and rheumatoid, from both a biomedical and Chinese medical point of view. We will discuss real world approaches to diagnosing and treating these painful conditions as well as educating our patients about them. If you haven’t treated a lot of arthritis patients, this course will give you the foundations for doing so effectively. If you are experienced at treating these conditions, this course will give you the current biomedical approaches as well as new perspectives on Chinese medical approaches. No matter what your experience, this is a vital course for treating your patients.

Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang (Nine-Herb Decoction with Notopterygium) and Zhi Zi (Gardenia Fruit)
2025-04-13 13:00 - 15:00
Click here to sign up for this webinar We are going to be recording two episodes of the Sperb’s Herbs podcast. The first covers another Chinese formula, Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang (Nine-Herb Decoction with Notopterygium), a formula that releases exterior wind-cold. The second episode covers the Chinese herb Zhi Zi (Gardenia Fruit) from the herbs that drain fire category. Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb. And then there is always something a little quirky about an episode. Whether that is a unique story or an interesting perspective, there will always be something different to learn about these herbs and formula!

Anticancer Drugs and Chinese Medicine
2025-04-27 13:00 - 16:00
Click here to sign up for this webinar Anticancer Drugs as a group of drugs are more commonly used than we would like. But cancer is not a singular disease and is actually thousands of very different diseases with only one thing in common: unregulated and malignant cell growth. Just as there are so many cancers, there are a lot of different agents to combat them. This seminar will look at classes of anticancer drugs: alkylating agents, antimetabolites, antibiotics, microtubule inhibitors, steroid hormones and their antagonists, monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and other anticancer agents. We will look at what they do and how they do it, as well as the dangers Chinese medical practitioners need to be aware of when combining with herbs and acupuncture. This is a must review seminar for anyone who has cancer patients in their practice.
