This course aims to serve as an education platform on Chinese medicine (CM) for the general public. Our primary goal is to empower healthcare choices by promoting awareness and practical application on CM diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, as well as regulation on CM services and herbal products using international examples.
In the first part of this course, learners will develop skills in applying basic theory of Chinese medicine (CM) for understanding health and illnesses, and be able to compare and contrast views from Chinese and western medicine perspectives. In the second part, learners will be able to diagnose their own CM body constitution, and to apply appropriate CM self-care practice including food therapy, acupressure, Baduanjin and meditation. Learners will also be able to identify commonly used Chinese herbs, and to describe the core principle of acupuncture.
Specific competencies include:
1. State the basic theory of Chinese medicine and compare it with the principle of western medicine.
2. Apply the diagnostic approach of Chinese medicine and describe one’s body constitution.
3. Describe the core principle of Chinese herbs and acupuncture, and to understand their role in promoting health and wellness.
4. Develop self-care plan according to body constitution, using the practice of food therapy, acupressure, and Baduanjin.
In this session, the learners will develop detailed understanding of the role of Zang-fu in manifesting health and disease in human body. The inter-relationship between various Zang-fu organs will also be introduced.
What's included
9 videos1 reading1 assignment
Show info about module content
9 videos•Total 26 minutes
Course Introduction Video•2 minutes
The Initiation of Chinese Medicine•2 minutes
The Essential Characteristics of Chinese Medicine•2 minutes
Treatment by Differentiation of Syndromes•4 minutes
The Doctrine of Yin and Yang•1 minute
The Theory of Yin-Yang - The Formation of the Theory of Yin and Yang•6 minutes
Application of the Theory of Yin-yang in Chinese Medicine•4 minutes
The Theory of Zang-fu Organs (Part 1)•3 minutes
The Primary Characteristics of the Zang-Fu Theory•3 minutes
1 reading•Total 60 minutes
Reading list for Session 1•60 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Session 1•30 minutes
Session 2: Zang-Fu Organs Concepts in Chinese Medicine
Module 2•2 hours to complete
Module details
This part is about the application of Zang-fu Organs concepts in understanding health and disease.
What's included
5 videos1 reading1 assignment
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 18 minutes
The Heart•4 minutes
The Lung•3 minutes
The Spleen•5 minutes
The Liver•3 minutes
The Kidney•4 minutes
1 reading•Total 60 minutes
Reading list for Session 2•60 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Session 2•30 minutes
Session 3: Relationship between Zang-Fu Organs; An introduction of Qi in Chinese medicine
Module 3•2 hours to complete
Module details
In this session, the learners will develop further knowledge on how the inter-relationship between various Zang-fu organs contribute to health and diseases in human body. The session ends with an introduction to the concept of Qi in Chinese medicine.
What's included
4 videos1 reading1 assignment
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 17 minutes
The Relationship between the Zang Organs•6 minutes
The Functions of the Six Fu Organs•3 minutes
The Relationship between Zang-Fu Organs•4 minutes
The Theory of Qi•4 minutes
1 reading•Total 60 minutes
Reading list for Session 3•60 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Session 3•30 minutes
Session 4: Blood, Body Fluids and Pathogenesis of disease in Chinese Medicine
Module 4•2 hours to complete
Module details
The session starts with an introduction to the concept of Blood and Body Fluid in Chinese medicine, followed with an overview of the principles of pathogenesis in Chinese medicine.
What's included
12 videos1 reading1 assignment
Show info about module content
12 videos•Total 26 minutes
Theory of Blood, Body Fluids and Qi•6 minutes
Pathogenic Factors and Pathogenesis in Chinese Medicine•1 minute
3.1 Six External Pathogens•3 minutes
3.2 Wind•1 minute
3.3 Cold•1 minute
3.4 Summer-heat•1 minute
3.5 Dampness•1 minute
3.6 Dryness•1 minute
3.7 Fire•1 minute
Internal Injury by the Seven Emotions•3 minutes
Diet, Work and Rest•2 minutes
Pathogenesis•4 minutes
1 reading•Total 60 minutes
Reading list for Session 4•60 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Session 4•30 minutes
SESSION 5: Basics of Chinese Medicine Diagnostics (I)
Module 5•2 hours to complete
Module details
Diagnostics techniques are the bridge between basic theories and clinical practice in Chinese medicine. Long history of clinical practice allowed the accumulation of rich diagnostic experiences among generations of Chinese medicine practitioners, facilitating the formation of a comprehensive diagnostic system. This system includes the Four Examinations of inquiry, inspection, listening, and palpation, diagnosis of disease, and differentiation of syndrome. Diagnosis of disease and differentiation of syndrome are achieved by analyzing information obtained from the Four Examinations. It is essential to perform both diseases diagnosis and syndrome differentiation. In this session, the learners will know how to distinguish these two processes, which is important to understand the definitions of disease, symptoms, syndrome and syndrome differentiation.
What's included
14 videos1 reading1 assignment
Show info about module content
14 videos•Total 29 minutes
Introduction of Chinese Medicine Diagnostics•4 minutes
1.1.1 Definition of Inquiry, Common Symptoms - Chills and Fever•3 minutes
1.1.2 Common Symptoms - Pain: according to its nature•3 minutes
1.1.3 Common Symptoms - Pain: according to its location•3 minutes
1.2 Sweating and Thirst•1 minute
1.3 Appetite and Taste•1 minute
1.4 Bowel Habits•1 minute
1.5 Urination•1 minute
1.6 Sleep•1 minute
Definition of Inspection, Inspecting Facial Complexion and Sense Organs•3 minutes
Inspection of Body Shape and Movement•1 minute
Inspection of Tongue•2 minutes
Definition of Listening, Listening to Voice, Respiration and Cough•3 minutes
Palpation•3 minutes
1 reading•Total 60 minutes
Reading list for Session 5•60 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Session 5•30 minutes
Instructors
Instructor ratings
Instructor ratings
We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.
Founded in 1963, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a forward looking comprehensive research university with a global vision and a mission to combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West. CUHK teachers and students hail from all corners of the world. CUHK graduates are connected worldwide through an expansive alumni network.
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Learner reviews
4.7
1,259 reviews
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YC
5·
Reviewed on Nov 15, 2020
Muy útil para personas como yo, sin conocimiento previo, Abarca muy bien todo lo básico de la medicina China y se explica de una forma fácil e interactiva.
A
AA
5·
Reviewed on Feb 19, 2019
My interest in herbalism and alternate medicine brought me to this course. It was very informative indeed and I made notes often. The tests are also to the point. Thank you, professors and Coursera!
S
SB
5·
Reviewed on Mar 19, 2018
Absolutely loved this class. It is packed with information and has ignited a larger interest for me to learn more about TCM. Thank you for offering this class!
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Is financial aid available?
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