Integrative Clinical Medicine
Integrative Clinical Medicine instruction provides a solid foundation for the unification of Eastern and Western medical sciences. Students develop fluency in both medical languages and systems beginning in the first trimester with an introduction to Western Medical Terminology. The third trimester outlines both Eastern and Western approaches to nutrition.
Fourth- and fifth-trimester study extends beyond the language to focus on the procedures and methods of Western physical examination and the basics of pharmacotherapeutics, which encompasses the uses and effects of Western drugs. Students also receive training in CPR and First Aid.
In the sixth trimester students begin a four-class series in Clinical Integrative Medicine and a four-class series in Oriental Clinical Medicine. Together these series provide a wide perspective on the treatment of medical conditions. Integrative Medicine focuses on diagnosis and standards of care from a biomedicinal perspective, with a special emphasis on referrals and “red-flag” cases. Oriental Clinical Medicine covers the diagnosis and treatment of various conditions including gynecology, obstetrics, urology, otolaryngology, gastroenterology, infectious disease, immunology, oncology, endocrinology, cardiology, respiratory disorders, neurology, pediatrics, dermatology, and ophthalmology, along with the associated Oriental Medicine patterns of disharmony.
100 Series
IM 105 ∙ 1 unit – 1-hour lecture
Prerequisites: none
Introduces the vocabulary of Western biological science, medicine, and medical practice, including terminology related to the various tissues and systems of the human body within the context of anatomy, physiology, and pathology. Also provides an emphasis on Greek and Latin word roots.
Nutrition: East & West
IM 111 ∙ 3 units – 3-hour lecture
Prerequisites: OM 100
Develops an understanding of both Western and Eastern perspectives on nutrition by teaching basic nutritional concepts (including biochemistry of foods, vitamins and minerals, and physiology of digestion), proper nutrition, and common Western and Chinese medicinal foods useful in treating specific symptoms and patterns of disharmony.
Western Physical Examination
IM 120 ∙ 3 units – 3-hour lecture
Prerequisites: BS 121, 122 & three (3) units from BS 141 – 143
Teaches students to conduct and complete a physical examination and write a patient record accurately and concisely. Discusses differential diagnoses of commonly encountered symptoms and introduces common lab tests and diagnostic images as they relate to the physical presentation of symptoms.
Pharmacology
IM 130 ∙ 3 units – 3-hour lecture
Prerequisites: Three (3) units from BS 141 – 143
Outlines the pharmacology of therapeutic agents, including the basic principles of drug actions. Trains students to analyze symptoms in regards to the effects and side effects of drugs, and discusses specific drug groups affecting the central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, cardiovascular, endocrine, metabolic, and digestive systems, and treatment of infectious diseases and cancer. Also discusses the concept of drug-herb interactions, including potentiating effects, diminishing efficacy, and side effects.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation & First Aid
IM 140 ∙ 0.5 units – 8-hour class
Prerequisites: none
Teaches the skills required to recognize cardiopulmonary emergencies and restore breath and pulse. Also covers the basic principles of blood-borne pathogens and first aid.
Research Methodology
IM 150 ∙ 2 units – 2-hour lecture
Prerequisites: AC 111; OM 100; BS 121 – 122
Focuses on the basics of research methodology and the role of research in the practice of evidence-based medicine. Teaches the scientific basis of Oriental Medicine efficacy and prepares students to complete a literature review on an Oriental Medicine topic of their choosing.
Integrative Medicine Series I
IM 281 – 284
The culmination of didactic education at AIMC Berkeley, this portion of the Integrative Medicine series features classes that emphasize both Eastern and Western disease recognition and management. Students learn appropriate case management, including primary care, secondary/specialty care, treatment planning, referral, collaboration, continuity of care, prognosis and future medical care, follow-up, contraindications and complications, medicolegal report writing, independent medical review, expert medical testimony, special care/seriously ill patients, emergency procedures, and psychosocial assessment.
Classes in the 200 series focus on Western Medicine, and classes in the 300 series focus on Oriental Medicine. For the most efficacious learning, classes should be taken in the following pairs: IM 282 and 301; IM 283 and 303; IM284 and 302. *Courses may be taken in any sequence.
Biomedicine I: Integrative Orthopedics
IM 271 ∙ 4 units – 4 hours lecture/practical Prerequisites: AC 101 – 103; IM 120
Focuses on orthopedic and neurological assessment techniques, charting, treatment and/or referral of musculoskeletal pain and treatment modalities, including classical acupuncture points and combinations, electro-acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, spooning (gua sha), seven-star needle and external liniments. Also discusses the use of X-rays and other relevant diagnostic images, recognition of the need for surgical intervention, and post-surgical management and recovery.
Biomedicine II & III: Internal Medicine
IM 282 & 283 ∙ 3 units each – 3 hours lecture Prerequisites: BS 141 – 143; IM 120
Presents the Western approach to clinical diseases and disorders commonly seen in acupuncture clinic settings. Surveys various laboratory tests and imaging used in diagnosis, with an emphasis on tests of practical use for acupuncturists. Also includes a discussion of the criteria for referral to respective specialists and a comparison with TCM (when appropriate.) Emphasizes the clinical presentation, and mentions differential diagnosis and treatment on the conditions. *Courses may be taken in any sequence.
IM 282 focuses on the clinical presentations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the following conditions: Common cold, cough, asthma, epigastric pain, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, hypochondriac pain, low back pain, palpitations, insomnia, diarrhea, constipation, headache, edema, painful urination, dizziness, syncope, ALOC, paralysis, and chest pain.
IM 283 focuses on the clinical presentations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the following conditions: Joint pain, impotence, depression, bipolar disorder, seizures, mouth ulcers, diabetes, obesity, pediatric seizures, pediatric malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, urticaria, shingles, hernia, goiter and thyroid disease, nasal congestion and sinusitis, tinnitus, deafness, and toothache, as well as general cancer and end of life issues.
Biomedicine IV: Clinical Gynecology
IM 284 ∙ 3 units – 3 hours lecture
Prerequisites: BS 141 – 143; IM 120
Comprehensively examines the female reproductive system, gynecological disorders, pregnancy and complications of pregnancy, as well as fertility issues and modern Western medical management of infertility in both males and females.
Biomedicine Review
PE 230 ∙ 2 units – 2-hour lecture
Prerequisites: Six (6) units of OH 201 – 203
Features a comprehensive review of Western Clinical Medicine, including differential diagnosis, red flag signs and symptoms, emergency management of patients in the AOM setting, necessary referrals, labs and diagnostic imaging, and Biomedical standards of care. Also prepares students for the Comprehensive Exit Exam, California Acupuncture Licensing Exam (CALE), and NCCAOM certification exams.
Integrative Medicine Series II
IM 301 – 304
Oriental Clinical Medicine: Internal Medicine I & II
IM 301 & 303 ∙ 3 units each – 3 hours lecture Prerequisites: OM 151, 152 & 160; 6 units of OH 201 – 203
Teaches students to assess common clinical signs and symptoms with a focus on Oriental Medicine. Emphasizes differential diagnosis, critical assessment, recognition of red flag signs and symptoms, classic acupuncture point prescriptions and herbal formulas. Utilizes case studies to illustrate concepts. *Courses may be taken in any sequence.
IM 301 covers Common Cold, Cough, Asthma, Epigastric Pain, Vomiting, Hiccoughs, Abdominal Pain, Jaundice, Hypochondriac Pain, Low Back Pain, Palpitations, Insomnia, Dysentery, Diarrhea, Constipation, Headache, Edema, Painful Urination, Dizziness, Syncope, Wind Stroke, and Facial Paralysis.
IM 303 covers bi syndrome, wei syndrome, impotence, depression, manic-depression, epilepsy, mouth ulcer, diabetes, obesity, shoulder pain, infantile convulsion, mumps, infantile diarrhea, infantile malnutrition, urticaria, herpes (shingles), intestinal abscess, hernia (shan Qi), goiter, sinusitis and nasal congestion, tinnitus and deafness, and toothache.
Oriental Clinical Medicine: Gynecology
IM 302 • 4 units – 4 hours lecture Prerequisites: AC 201; OH 201 – 203
Comprehensively examines the female reproductive system, gynecological disorders, pregnancy and complications of pregnancy. Emphasizes Chinese Medicine differential pattern diagnosis, classic acupuncture point prescriptions, and herbal formulas. Also discusses Chinese Medicine patterns of male and female infertility, as well as
treatment and management.
Oriental Clinical Medicine: Modern Diseases
IM 304 • 3 units – 3 hours lecture Prerequisites: Six (6) units of OH 201 – 203; OM 151, 152 & 160
Focuses on Western medical diseases that have been discovered in the past 50 years and/or have developed to epidemic proportions, including cancer, diabetes, hypertension, infertility, and HIV. Teaches the use of Oriental Medicine for treatment, with an emphasis on current research.
Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College, Berkeley is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization committed to the development of caring, proficient, and successful practitioners who serve communities and the Oriental medicine profession worldwide by treating illness and promoting health and wellness.
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