Pre-Symposium 2 – “History, Clinical Applications, and Practice of Eight Treasures Qigong – Infusing Modern Medicine with Ancient Wisdom”

Pre-Symposium 2 – “History, Clinical Applications, and Practice of Eight Treasures Qigong – Infusing Modern Medicine with Ancient Wisdom” Presented by: Barbara de la Torre, MD, DABMA

Barbara de la Torre is a physician, writer, podcast host, and educator. She is board certified in Family Medicine and Medical Acupuncture, and began the practice of qigong in 1998. She has dedicated the last six years of qigong practice focused on master training at Ling Gui International Healing Qigong School. There, she discovered two qigong masters who teach and preserve qigong in a way that includes the language of science and philosophy of the modern world. She specializes in creative approaches to restore and maintain physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. She is dedicated to empowering both patients and practitioners to tap into their own healing potential through the practice of qigong and lifestyle adaptation of fundamental Chinese medical principles. As a second generation AAMA member, Dr. de la Torre is honored to carry on the tradition of teaching and the pursuit of knowledge for advancing Chinese medicine’s integration into the modern medical landscape. She currently works as an urgent care physician and serves as an expert consultant and as a member of the Acupuncture Advisory Committee for the Oregon Medical Board.

Description
The healthcare system is wrought with challenges for delivery and sustainability. Providers are often left with little time for self-care, they experience burnout, and face challenges with motivating patients to contribute to their own care and wellness. Learning qigong fills that much-needed gap to provide respite for the healer and assign an active role for patients. But how do we even get started with what seems to be a skill that requires years of training? Many assume that qigong is not possible to learn in one day. But, a great journey always begins with a first step. Healing is not a destination, but a process. One can learn a qigong form in a day so that they have the means to master it over time with consistent practice.

Qigong is the oldest branch in Chinese medicine, predating acupuncture. Medical qigong has tremendous applications to improve modern medicine for the health of both practitioners and patients. This workshop provides an in-depth introduction to one of the oldest qigong forms known as Ba Duan Jin, or Eight Treasures. This form is challenging enough to promote health without exhausting the practitioner. Participants will be able to review general principles and historical roots of qigong before diving into the practice of this form. Eight Treasures was adopted by several lineages, providing small variations of a form well suited for both beginners and seasoned qigong practitioners. The form taught in this course will be from the Ling Gui lineage, which roots in tradition with a modern adaptation. Participants will leave with the ability to practice the form for self-cultivation of their own health while learning functions and clinical applications for their patients. The form will be demonstrated with the ability to review the entire form separately from the lecture, and lectures will cover the nuances of the movements and breathing for deeper practice and skill building.

Note: This workshop is not intended to be a certification course to teach others. Lineages hold forms to strict standards, which require a certain amount of practice time and testing by certified instructors. The course will include resources for those interested in expanding qigong training beyond self-care.

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

• Describe qigong and list benefits, safety precautions, and contraindications for patient understanding and motivation
• Identify the historical roots and significance of the qigong form, Ba Duan Jin (also known as Eight Treasures or Eight Pieces of Brocade)
• Name the specific organ/channel effects that result from consistent practice of each of the form’s eight routines
• Differentiate the clinical applications from one or more routines for various conditions
• Practice Eight Treasures qigong based on the modernized form by the lineage, Ling Gui International Qigong School
• Plan a self-cultivation practice for physician-centered wellness

Continuing Medical Education
The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The AAMA designates this internet activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

To request CME credits, this will be done in parts – an evaluation of the activity and then a quiz for the materials just completed. A passing score of 75% is required to receive CME credit. You are able to retake the quiz if necessary. Click the button below to request your credits for this activity.