Course Overview

Using the lens of the School of Cold/Shang Han Lun, we’ll discuss a Chinese medicine understanding of viral infections including COVID19. We’ll look at the progression of viruses and how they can transform into heat/inflammation and effect several organ systems including respiration/Lungs, circulation/Heart, digestion/Stomach and Spleen and cognition through affecting the brain. Brendan will also discuss his clinical experience treating a Chinese medicine understanding of COVID19 and long-haul COVID with acupuncture, herbs and eastern nutrition. "Disclaimer: there are no proven treatments for Covid-19”

Course Objectives

• Have a Chinese medicine based understanding of the nature of most viral infections including COVID-19.
• Have an understanding of the importance of the Shang Han Lun/School of Cold in treating viral infections.
• Have an understanding of the importance of the application of the Wen Bing Xue/School of Heat in treating the inflammation common with viral infections including COVID-19.
• Have an understanding of the importance of integration of different Chinese medicine traditions--specially the Shang Han Lun and Wen Bing Xue-- in treating multi-organ, multi-system conditions including COVID-19.
• Have an understanding of the rates of COVID and long COVID in the US and the larger societal issues associated with pandemics. Also have an understanding of the importance of translating the western diagnoses of both conditions into Chinese medicine.

Course Outline

0 hrs - 30 minThis section of the class will provide an overview of the rates of COVID and long COVID infection in the US as well as a comparison of western and eastern medical perspectives on treating the conditions and viral infections in general.

30 min - 1 hrsThe section includes a review of the Shang Han Lun/School of Cold progression of disease especially the three external Yang stages. Included is a differential diagnosis based discussion of acupuncture, herbal medicine and nutrition.

1 hrs - 1.5 hrsThis section expands on the discussion in section 2, includes a review of the Shang Han Lun disease progression. Included is a discussion of the underlying theory of the Wen Bing Xue and its development in response to past epidemics.

1.5 hrs - 2 hrsThis section includes case studies from applying a Chinese medicine based understanding of COVID-19 and the use of acupuncture, herbs and nutrition to treat and prevent the condition, including the integration of the Schools of Cold and Heat.

2 hrs - 2.25 hrsThis section continues with case studies applying a Chinese medicine based understanding of COVID-19 and the use of acupuncture, herbs and nutrition to treat and prevent the condition, including the integration of the Schools of Cold and Heat.

2.25 hrs - 2.5 hrsThis section discusses the importance of the translation of western diagnosis into Chinese medicine terms and theory when treating COVID and long COVID. Also included is a continued discussion of the underlying root causes of epidemics.