DISTANCE LEARNING

SAR has developed two series of online learning, described below. One is a series of Styles of Acupuncture, designed as free engagement webinars. The other is a fee-based series of On-demand Online Learning Courses to gain PDA points through The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Courses will be added to the website as produced and then approved by NCCAOM for PDA points.

On-Demand Virtual Learning Courses

This series includes courses designed to complete at your own pace and around your schedule. Courses will be added here as they become available, so check in regularly and follow us on social media to stay up-to-date.

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→ Complexity Science

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Styles of Acupuncture - Webinar Series

One of the main challenges we face in acupuncture research field nowadays is related the heterogenicity of acupuncture practices worldwide. In this context, we observed that five different “Acupuncture Styles” have been widely adopted by acupuncturists, including: Traditional Chinese Medicine, Western Medical Acupuncture, Neurofunctional Acupuncture, Five Elements Acupuncture and Microsystems Acupuncture. It is important to notice that each one of these acupuncture styles have their own epistemological background that leads to specific diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.

In the research context, we have seen that these above-mentioned styles were also adopted in Basic and Clinical Acupuncture Studies. In addition to this perspective, there are some methodological challenges related to the study design of each acupuncture style that are overlooked by most studies (commented in one of the SAR Turning Point publications). The consequence of not properly involving the rationale of each acupuncture style in the research design is the creation of an ‘‘epistemological syncretism’’ (mixing concepts of two different medical rationale systems) that may compromise admissibility of the study as scientific research (or create confounding factors that are difficult to address).

The “SAR Styles of Acupuncture Webinar Series” will explore the different acupuncture styles, their current clinical practice status and the implications of using each style in the research field. We will promote five free webinars with representatives of each acupuncture style that are also involved with research.

The speakers will address in their presentation content that will cover the following topics:

• The historical and epistemological background of their acupuncture style;
• What is the status of their style in the current acupuncture global scenario;
• How do their Styles of Acupuncture practice overlap with other styles;
• Examples of how their style has been used in acupuncture research and what are the main suggestions to conduct acupuncture research using this style.

Preliminary Agenda:

• Western Medical Acupuncture - Dr. Mike Cummings
  
• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Neurofunctional Acupuncture (TBD)
• Five elements (TBD)
• November: Microsystems (Ear acupuncture) (TBD)

All webinars in this series will be offered at NO COST for the LIVE WEBINAR. The live webinar recording will be available for public access for 2 weeks following the webinar, though we encourage live participation to engage in Q&A with the presenter. 

The recording will then be available only for SAR members in the password-protected area of SAR's website. 

At a later date, we will offer a fee-based CEU version of each webinar that will include reading materials, a worksheet, and questionnaire through NCCAOM - subject to course approval.

The SAR Styles of Acupuncture Webinar Series will be moderated by the SAR Board member Dr. Ari Ojeda Ocampo Moré from the Integrative Medicine Service at Federal University of Santa Catarina - Brazil, Institution that will co-host the Webinar Series.