“Applied Clinical Mastery in Medical Acupuncture: Advanced Pattern Differentiation & Specialized Techniques”

Presented by Francisco Lozano, MD, PhD This Applied Clinical Mastery in Medical Acupuncture: Advanced Pattern Differentiation & Specialized Techniques pre-symposium workshop is designed for physicians seeking to strengthen diagnostic precision and expand their repertoire of clinically effective procedural skills. The session begins with a targeted review of Traditional Chinese Medicine pattern differentiation, emphasizing its integration with biomedical assessment and its relevance to complex presentations. Building on this foundation, participants will explore a wide range of specialized acupuncture techniques—including fire needle, point injection therapy, catgut embedding, long-needle methods, acupotomology (knife-needle techniques), fascia- and collateral-channel–based needling, and others. Selected methods such as floating needle will be introduced briefly as part of the broader technical landscape. Each technique’s key indications, mechanisms, safety considerations, and clinical applications will be discussed. Demonstrations will offer practical insight and support confidence in translating these advanced methods into clinical practice. At the end of this workshop, attendees will be able to: Apply advanced principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine pattern differentiation to accurately assess complex clinical presentations in medical acupuncture. Integrate pattern differentiation with biomedical findings to formulate comprehensive, clinically relevant treatment strategies. Identify the key indications, mechanisms, and clinical rationale for selected specialized acupuncture techniques, including the fire needle and floating needle techniques. Demonstrate proper technique, safety considerations, and procedural steps for at least two specialized acupuncture methods taught in the session. Differentiate the therapeutic advantages and limitations of specialized acupuncture techniques compared with standard needling approaches.

“Heart and Soul of Medical Acupuncture”

Mitchell Elkiss, DO, FAAMA

Tate Kauffman, MD, FAAMA

Presented by Mitchell Elkiss, DO, FAAMA and Tate Kauffman, MD, FAAMA

Description:

A Pre-Symposium review of the principles and practices derived from the use of the Circulation of Energy (Heart) and the Five Phases (Soul) models, with hands on applications of the techniques, exercises in point location, and class generated case discussions.

Highlights Include:

• Circulation of Energy, +/- Curious Meridians
• Hands on, N-N+1, Distinct Meridians, Curious Meridians with Ion Pumping Cords
• Five Phases
• Hands on, Great American Malady, 4 needle technique
• Point location exercises
• Case discussions

At the end of this workshop, attendees will be able to:

• Identify the evidence-based used of the circulation of energy model in creating acupuncture treatments.
• Identify the evidence-based use of the five-phases model in creating acupuncture treatments.
• Administer techniques of both circulation of energy and five-phases models.
• Identify and needle the relevant acupuncture points to achieve the above

“Pragmatic Acupuncture in Any Setting”

Presented by Michael Freedman, MD, FAAMA

Description:

This 4-hour workshop will provide an analysis of several pragmatic acupuncture treatments that may be quickly employed by physicians to treat pain syndromes in any setting. The anatomy of each condition being addressed will be discussed as well as the rationale for the choice of the specific treatment points. The presentation will include videos of patients before and after treatment. The economic impact of the painful conditions will be addressed as well as the repercussions of a physician leaving a patient untreated during a patient encounter.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this workshop, attendees will be able to:

• Treat shoulder, elbow, hip and knee pain with one or two needles in a few minutes
• Distinguish between cervicogenic, migraine and TMJ causes headaches as well as the overlap and effectively treat each in a brief office encounter
• Apply the Yang Tong Dian treatment for cervical and Low Back Pain
• Treat plantar fasciitis with one needle and be comfortable explaining to the patient why the treatment is effective
• Discuss several possible mechanisms of action of Interosseous Membrane Stimulation and comfortably use the treatment to address distal extremity pain