Clinical results through studying the classics:

Improve your skills in diagnostics, acupuncture treatment, and disease identification by studying the medicine of the Huangdi Neijing Lingshu 黃帝內經靈樞

For over two millennia the Lingshu Jing 靈樞經 has been the foundational reference text for acupuncture theory and practice. However, despite this impact, as a medical system much of the contents of the Lingshu pertaining to clinical practice fell by the wayside. This course aims to take participants through the principles of Lingshu acupuncture while building their repertoire of palpatory and observable diagnostics, pathology identification within the complete channel system, and precise, level based needling methodologies. 

The INR Clinical Neijing Program will not only connect students with the origin of acupuncture, but will build their study and practice rooted in the needling classic. Every approach taught in this course comes not only from the text but from a lasting lineage of Neijing acupuncture, specifically the last 80 years of clinical practice on hundreds of thousands of patients in the practice of David White and his teachers.

In summary students will learn:

  • Foundational knowledge of the Lingshu, its theory and practice, philological analysis and clinical reasoning, classical textual scaffolding, Lingshu Zhenyan or mantra, and more.

  • Detailed diagnostics: pulse palpation not only at the wrist, but the entire circulatory system. This includes a focus on Renying / Cunkou (unilateral channel circulatory assessment), Sanbu Jiuhou (positional circulatory assessment), and Qikou (ventral cavity circulatory assessment).

  • Needling methods of the Lingshu Jing, a specialty of David White's, where level based and precise needling are discussed in correlation with the diseases they treat.

  • A COMPLETE study of the pathological processes of the channel system, where we work through the classical lines, through specific disease manifestations, their clinical presentations, and the approach of the Neijing. This section will form the majority of this course as we work through the various channel components and their treatment.

What's Involved?

The INR Clinical Neijing Program is a dedicated practice-orientated online and face-to-face study program for those interested in developing clinical skills of the Huangdi Neijing. Participants will be guided through the material through monthly online sessions, additional Q&A sessions, and then face-to-face clinical / workshops hosted by ICOM in the UK.

How is the program structured?

Initially the program will be offered in 3 instalments, with part 1 and 2 being 6 months each, and part 3 being 8 months. A dedicated discussion group will be formed for the enrolling class. Students will have constant support and connection with their instructor, David White. For a month by month breakdown please see below.

Who is the program designed for?

The INR Clinical Neijing Program is designed for all interested parties in clinical classical Chinese medicine. Students, new graduates, seasoned practitioners, and scholars alike are welcome to join. If you have previous studies in the Neijing (with the INR or other institutions) this program will only strengthen your understanding and approach. With hosting provided by ICOM in the UK the timezone will be UK focused, however, recordings and support for those outside of the UK will be offered. Please contact us: [email protected] for more details.

How much will it cost and when will it start?

We are very fortunate to be hosting this program along with the International College of Oriental Medicine in the UK. Due to this partnership we are able to offer the program at an affordable rate. The cost of the program is £480 per instalment 1 and 2 and £640 for the 3rd longer term. Discounts are offered for those that enrol for the full program (£1440). The state date will be 23rd February 2025 and then monthly dates following - please see the breakdown of the full program below for further details or the registration link.

Options for further study

Access to the Lingshu Labs

Students enrolled in the Clinical Neijing Program who have completed the first 6 months (part one) will have the opportunity to join the Lingshu Labs for advanced study and community based mentorship in classical acupuncture of the Lingshu Jing. Note that Lingshu Labs DOES NOT replace core study of the Clinical Neijing Program, rather, it compliments it.

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Numbers are strictly limited.

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The INR Clinical Neijing Program

An overview of the full contents of the 20 month program, dates, and more...

Please note the following is subject to change, however, most of the dates, pricing, and more have been finalised. Additional information will be updated here, on the ICOM registration page and on the INR facebook and instagram pages.

PART ONE: 6 Months

Part one initiates students in the tradition of the Neijing, sets the core framework of studying and approaching the structure and language of the text and then, at a fast pace, delves into the depths of cornerstone diagnostics, with a heavy emphasis on pulse methodologies.

Dates & Time:

Part One: 

  • Session 1: February 23rd 2025 8am-12noon UK time.
  • Session 2: March 30th 2025 8am-12noon UK time.
  • Session 3: 27th April 2025 8am-12noon UK time.
  • Session 4: 18th May 2025 8am-12noon UK time.
  • Session 5: TBC as it may coincide with the first in-person workshop. Will be finalised shortly.
  • Session 6: 27th July 2025 8am-12noon UK time.

The in-person workshop will be confirmed but we are aiming for June and it will be hosted by ICOM in East Grinstead, UK. If there are larger numbers of enrolments from North America, Australia and more further workshops will be added. Cost will be £200 or equivalency for the workshops.

Content:

Session 1 Neijing Medicine Essentials: Textual scaffolding, structure, theory, key areas of learning. Here students are introduced to the text, core reading material, Lingshu Zhenyan or Mantra and essential lines for development of their "Han Lens". (4 Hours)
Session 2 Physiological meditations & Lingshu core theory + case presentation and discussion. Clinical identifying features of the Lingshujing, disease structures and foundational diagnostics. (4 Hours)
Session 3 Neijing Diagnostic Matrix 1: Ventral Cavity Circulatory Assessment (Qikou / Maikou / Wrist pulse diagnosis in the Lingshu Jing with adjunct Suwen material discussed. Structure, mapping, seasonal, healthy, and core diseased pulses and their positions discussed. (4 Hours)
Q&A 1 Specific questions answered, case discussion and more. (2 Hours)
Session 4 Neijing Diagnostic Matrix 2: Positional Circulatory Assessment (Sanbu Jiuhou) and continuation of Qikou diagnosis. Clinical application, chapter thematic analysis, core Lingshu needling approach, and more. (4 Hours)
Session 5 Neijing Diagnostic Matrix 3: Continuation of the above + Unilateral Channel Circulatory Assessment or Renying / Cunkou pulse diagnosis. A cornerstone of classical acupuncture and must for all students. (4 Hours)
Session 6 Neijing Diagnostic Matrix 4: Continuation of the above + palpation and countenance assessment. This will conclude the theory for part one, however, it will continue immediately into part two. (4 Hours)
Q&A 2 Specific questions answered, case discussion and more. (2 Hours)
Workshop These will run for 2 full days where all of the theoretical discussions above will be worked into practical clinical discussion, group activity, palpation practice, and more. This will be the first section of pulse calibration required for certification in this program. 


PART TWO: 6 Months

Part two & three forms the nucleus of clinical Neijing studies: the channel system or what David terms the ‘Compass of the Jingluo”. This is not a tedious re-telling of what students learned during first and second year acupuncture studies, here we will go into the nuances of unique channel pathways, representations, structure and disease states, such as moving and unique illnesses, abundance and lacking, processional pathological metamorphosis (PPM) and much more. The focus, however, is not so much on pathway study as it is on the clinical understanding of the patho-physiology of each channel complex – where we look at understanding the diseases, their place in the text, and place in practice. Note the compass sessions are fast paced study, student questions will be required via email and the Q&A sessions will be extended. If more time is needed then it will be allocated accordingly.

Dates & Time:

To be confirmed shortly.

Content:

Session 1 Lingshu Needling Techniques 1: A clinical exploration of the common needling techniques and tools (nine needles) used in Neijing acupuncture. This will include technical study, disease study, and application in practice. Pre-recorded practical videos will accompany these lectures.
Session 2 Lingshu Needling Techniques 2: Continuation of the above.
Session 3 Compass of the Jingluo: Western Metal part 1, Taiyin Lung: channel and line study and focus on the diseases, diagnostics and treatment. 
Q&A As above
Session 4 Compass of the Jingluo: Western Metal part 2, Yangming Large Instestine.
Session 5 Compass of the Jingluo: Central Earth Part 1, Yangming Stomach.
Session 6 Compass of the Jingluo: Central Earth Part 2, Taiyin Pi (Spleen / Pancreas).
Q&A As Above
Workshop A two day exploration of the classical needling techniques of the Lingshu Jing with exploration of palpation, diagnosis, tools used, and case analysis. Further pulse calibration will be assessed.


PART THREE: 8 Months

A continuation of part two.

Dates & Time:

To be confirmed shortly.

Contents:

Session 1 Compass of the Jingluo: Southern Fire, Shaoyin Heart
Session 2 Compass of the Jingluo: Southern Fire, Taiyang Small Intestine
Session3 Compass of the Jingluo: Northern Water, Taiyang Bladder
Session 4 Compass of the Jingluo: Northern Water, Shaoyin Kidney
Q&A
Session 5 Compass of the Jingluo: Southern Fire (b) Jueyin Xinzhu
Session 6 Compass of the Jingluo: Southern Fire (b) Shaoyang Sanjiao
Session 7 Compass of the Jingluo: Eastern Wood, Shaoyang Gall Bladder
Session 8 Compass of the Jingluo: Eastern Wood, Jueyin Liver
Q&A

The final workshop will also be a two clinical deep dive into practical applications associated with the entire program. It will also serve as a graduation for those who have completed the program. Certificates will be issued. 

Clinical Neijing Program Start Time

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