Program Goals & Outcomes
Statement of Purpose
The Certificate in Japanese Acupuncture Studies prepares students and graduates for competent practice in Japanese acupuncture traditions through sequential coursework in palpation-based diagnosis, root treatment, local and symptomatic treatment, and Japanese moxibustion and non-insertive needling techniques. Supervised clinical rotations complete the certificate, so that graduates apply Japanese acupuncture methods safely, ethically, and effectively in patient care.
Program Goals
Professionalism and Ethical Practice in Japanese Acupuncture
Graduates demonstrate integrity, compassion, and ethical reasoning in all conduct related to Japanese acupuncture practice. They obtain and document informed consent for insertive and non-insertive needle techniques, moxibustion, bloodletting, and take-home therapies, maintain appropriate physical and interpersonal boundaries during abdominal and pulse palpation, safeguard patient privacy and autonomy, and observe Clean Needle Technique and Universal Precautions at all times. They provide equitable, culturally responsive care that respects the full diversity of human experience and intersectional identity.
Patient-Centered Japanese Acupuncture Clinical Practice
Graduates perform Japanese abdominal and pulse diagnosis, locate live points by palpation, and integrate these findings with presenting signs, symptoms, and history to identify the root pattern. They perform complete root treatments within the Five Phase, Extraordinary Vessel, and Extraordinary Channel frameworks, select and perform appropriate local and symptomatic treatments, adjust technique and dosage to the individual patient, evaluate the response to treatment, and facilitate timely, appropriate referral to other healthcare providers.
Foundational and Applied Knowledge of Japanese Acupuncture
Graduates demonstrate knowledge of the historical development and theoretical foundations of Japanese acupuncture styles, including meridian therapy, the eight Extraordinary Vessels, Extraordinary Channel combinations, and the Manaka and Shima treatment frameworks. They relate Japanese diagnostic categories to broader acupuncture and Chinese herbal medical theory and to the biomedical presentation of the patient, and they critically appraise classical and contemporary sources on Japanese acupuncture technique and application.
Interprofessional and Patient Communication in Japanese Acupuncture
Graduates communicate clearly, compassionately, and professionally with patients throughout palpation-based assessment and treatment, including the rationale for the chosen approach, expected response, aftercare, and instructions for take-home therapies. They maintain complete and professional Japanese initial and follow-up documentation, prepare organized case write-ups that justify diagnosis and treatment strategy, and translate Japanese acupuncture clinical reasoning into terminology that supports referral and coordinated care.
Practice-Based Learning and Professional Development
Graduates engage in ongoing self-reflection and critical appraisal of their clinical performance, actively seek and incorporate feedback, and sustain appropriate practice outside scheduled instruction. They investigate and evaluate treatment options relevant to the individual patient, and they demonstrate progression from procedural performance toward independent clinical reasoning that connects diagnosis, palpation, treatment, and clinical response.
Systems-Based Practice and Integration of Japanese Acupuncture
Graduates apply Japanese acupuncture within their scope of practice and in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and institutional safety standards, including safe handling of sharps and biohazardous material in bloodletting. They articulate the place of Japanese style practice within a broader acupuncture practice and within integrative healthcare, and they apply appropriate treatment methods to extend gentle, safe care to needle-sensitive, pediatric, geriatric, and other patient populations.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Certificate in Japanese Acupuncture Studies, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate integrity, compassion, and ethical reasoning in all aspects of Japanese acupuncture practice; obtain and document informed consent for insertive and non-insertive needle techniques, moxibustion, bloodletting, and take-home therapies; maintain appropriate boundaries, draping, and patient positioning throughout the treatment; observe Clean Needle Technique and Universal Precautions at all times; and provide equitable, culturally responsive care to individuals of all backgrounds.
- Perform a systematic Japanese diagnostic assessment, including abdominal palpation, pulse diagnosis, and palpation for live points; integrate these findings with presenting signs, symptoms, and history to identify a root pattern within the Five Phase, Extraordinary Vessel, or Extraordinary Channel frameworks; and identify presentations that require modification of treatment or referral to another provider.
- Perform a complete Japanese root treatment appropriate to the identified pattern, including point selection and location, needle selection, needle insertion, insertion depth and direction, retention and removal, polarity and ion pumping cord applications where indicated, and correct sequence and timing of all treatment steps.
- Select, justify, and perform local and symptomatic treatments appropriate to the presenting complaint, including Japanese moxibustion, insertive and non-insertive needle techniques, bloodletting, cupping, and take-home therapies; and modify technique and dosage for the individual patient with attention to health history, indications, contraindications, and patient response.
- Evaluate the effect of treatment by reassessing the abdomen, pulse, and presenting signs; interpret change over the course of care; modify diagnosis, technique, and dosage accordingly; and determine and justify a reasonable prognosis supported by concrete findings from the patient presentation.
- Explain the historical development and theoretical foundations of Japanese acupuncture styles, including meridian therapy, the eight Extraordinary Vessels, Extraordinary Channel combinations, and the Manaka and Shima treatment frameworks; relate Japanese diagnostic categories to acupuncture and Chinese herbal medical theory and to the biomedical presentation of the patient; and critically appraise classical and contemporary sources for clinical applicability.
- Actively seek, incorporate, and act on feedback and evaluations of practical performance; sustain appropriate practice outside scheduled instruction; research and evaluate treatment options relevant to an individual patient; and demonstrate measurable progression from procedural performance toward independent clinical reasoning.
- Communicate clearly, compassionately, and professionally with patients throughout palpation-based assessment and treatment, including the clinical rationale for the chosen approach, expected sensation and response, aftercare, and instructions for take-home therapies; and adapt communication to patient comfort, cultural context, and prior experience with acupuncture.
- Maintain complete, legible, and timely initial and follow-up documentation, including treatment records, consent forms, and prognosis tools; prepare organized, professional case write-ups that justify diagnosis and treatment strategy; and translate Japanese acupuncture clinical reasoning into terminology appropriate for other healthcare providers to support referral and coordinated care.
- Apply Japanese acupuncture within scope of practice and in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and institutional safety standards, including safe handling of sharps and biohazardous material; integrate treatment into a broader acupuncture practice; and apply appropriate insertive and non-insertive needle techniques to extend gentle, safe care to needle-sensitive, pediatric, geriatric, and other patient populations.