Saturday, June 6

Sunday, June 7

Decheng Chen, LAc, PhD

"Motion Acupuncture for Soft Tissue Pain"

1.5 General (Total 1.5 CE)

Motion Acupuncture Therapy (MAT) is an innovative acupuncture technique pioneered by the author Dr. Decheng Chen. It involves the application of Motion Acupuncture Needles at specific Motion Acupoints using a specialized needling technique (Motion Acupuncture Methods). This approach incorporates dynamic needle retention in which the patient performs guided movements with the needle in place during treatment to enhance therapeutic effects.

The Motion Acupuncture Needle is a patented needling instrument invented by the author. This therapy integrates nearly 40 years of clinical acupuncture experience, combining traditional acupuncture sinew theories with modern fascia theory, muscle anatomy, and kinesiology to form a novel acupuncture treatment approach. The theoretical foundation of MAT including Motion Acupoints, Motion Acupuncture Needle, Motion Acupuncture Technique, Motion Acupuncture Movement and Motion Acupuncture Mechanism.

The procedural approach follows the "Three Steps, One Process" principle to precisely locate the Motion Acupoint. The primary needling technique involves Traction with Needle Retention, followed by guided patient movement with the needle retained. This method facilitates the release of fascia and muscle tension while restoring joint function. MAT is primarily utilized for treating various pain syndromes caused by soft tissue injuries.

Bio: Dr. Decheng Chen, Ph.D in Acupuncture, is a licensed acupuncturist in the state of New York, USA. Currently, He is President of New York Natural Acupuncture and Wellness, he holds the position of President at the American TCM Acupuncture Inheritance Association. Dr. Decheng Chen is also the Vice President of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies’ Committee on External Therapies and a member of the Executive Committee of the WFAS. Notably, he is the inventor of Motion Acupuncture, holding two patents related to this innovative technique and needle. In 2023, he was listed as one of the “Hundred People and Hundred Items” inheritance representatives of overseas Chinese in Beijing.

Educationally, Dr. Decheng Chen earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and his Ph.D. from Nanjing University of TCM. Prior to his current roles, he worked at the Acupuncture and Moxibustion Research Institute of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences in Beijing, China, In 2001, he immigrated to the United States, amassing over 30 years of extensive clinical experience in traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture.

Dr. Decheng Chen is a prolific author, having written 17 specialized books on Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Some notable titles include “Chinese Acupuncture Monotherapy,” “Chinese Acupuncture for Specific Points,” “Comprehensive Book of Chinese Acupuncture for Beauty and Anti-aging,” and “Motion Acupuncture Therapy.” In addition to his books, he has published over 100 noteworthy articles on Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Dr. Decheng Chen is currently dedicated to the global promotion and training of Motion Acupuncture.

Guanhu Yang, MD, PhD, LA.c, Dipl OM

“Treating Diabetes and Neuropathy with Acupuncture in the United States”

1.5 General (Total 1.5 CE)

This 90-minute presentation, “Treating Diabetes & Neuropathy with Acupuncture in the United States,” offers a comprehensive overview of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) strategies in managing diabetes and its complications, especially diabetic neuropathy. Dr. Guanhu Yang, a licensed acupuncturist and Ph.D. with extensive clinical experience in both China and the United States, presents a multifaceted approach involving acupuncture, dietary guidance, stress reduction, herbal therapies, and lifestyle modification. Participants will learn how TCM views the pathophysiology of diabetes, how acupuncture can modulate insulin sensitivity and inflammatory pathways, and how to effectively combine classical theory with modern clinical research to manage complex diabetic cases. The session concludes with case discussions and clinical pearls from real-world applications.

Bio: Prof. Guanhu Yang is a world-renowned expert and leader in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with over four decades of clinical, academic, and research experience spanning the top hospitals, schools and clinics in China, Japan, and the United States. He attended medical school from Zhejiang Chinese Medical University in 1985, followed by a Master's degree in Medical Science with a focus on Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture from the prestigious Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, and later a Ph.D. in Biology fosused on Lung Injury and Repair from Kanazawa Medical University in Japan. His early career included teaching and clinical appointments at Wenzhou Medical College, where he quickly emerged as a pioneer in integrating TCM with Western medical practices. In 1993, Prof. Yang was awarded the prestigious Sasakawa Medical Fellowship and was dispatched by China's Ministry of Health to conduct advanced research on diabetes at Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University. He later deepened his expertise in pulmonary medicine while completing his doctoral studies and serving as both a physician and educator. In 1999, he relocated to the United States to join Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center as a postdoctoral research scientist in pulmonary biology.

Prof. Yang is the founder and chief practitioner of the Acupuncture Wellness Center of Cincinnati and Mason, where he delivers compassionate, evidence-informed care grounded in classical Chinese medicine and enhanced by modern biomedical science. His clinical expertise includes complex internal medicine, pain management, digestive health, endocrine disorders, and integrative treatment strategies for chronic illness.

He currently serves as Clinical Professor at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and as a doctoral advisor at leading institutions including Macau University of Science and Technology and Five Branches University. He also holds visiting or adjunct professorships at universities across China, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe, including Wenzhou Medical University and the Swiss University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

A prolific researcher and educator, Prof. Yang has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications and over 20 books covering acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, integrative approaches, and various biomedical research. He sits on the editorial boards of several respected international journals and frequently serves as a guest editor on special issues in acupuncture, endocrinology, and immunology. His current research explores the intersections of electroacupuncture, neuroimmune regulation, and metabolic disease.

Prof. Yang is President of the Chinese Medicine Luobing Society of America and serves as Vice Chairman on multiple committees within the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, including those for Endocrinology, Digestion, and Classical Prescriptions. He also directs the China-U.S. Joint Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation Medicine at Wenzhou Medical University.

Renowned for his integrity, empathy, and depth of knowledge, Prof. Yang remains dedicated to bridging Eastern and Western medical systems in the pursuit of safe, effective, and holistic patient care. His contributions to global TCM education and research are recognized through numerous appointments, including vice president and executive board positions with the World Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Xiang Ji, DAOM, LAc

“Chinese Herbology and Longevity Practice, Focusing on Herbal Usage for Longevity”

1.5 General (Total 1.5 CE)

This presentation aims to equip the audience with both an appreciation of Chinese herbs that have been used over centuries to promote longevity and well-being, and with practical knowledge on how to incorporate theses herbs into clinical use and modern lives. 

Bio: 姬祥 Xiang Ji, DAOM, LAc completed both his master’s degree and doctoral degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at OCOM, where he was also a part-time faculty and herbal medicinary supervisor. Born and raised in Zhengzhou 郑州, Henan, in China, he is a licensed acupuncturist in the state of Oregon with a private practice in Milwaukie.

Kumiko Shirai, DACM, LAc

“Assessment of Blood Through Abdominal Palpation”

1.5 General (Total 1.5 CE)

This talk is about utilizing the skill and tool of abdominal palpation to detect the health of blood quality in patients. Early assessment of blood quality can prevent major diseases related to cardiovascular, metabolic, gynecological disease as well as tumors. An emphasis and practice of abdominal palpation was lost and because of that this is not something that is taught in most of Chinese medical school.

Bio: Kumiko Shirai grew up in Japan and moved to the States at the age of 14 to study English. After earning Bachelors of Science in Chinese studies, she earned Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine at National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. After a decade in her clinical practice, she went back to earn her Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, where she became an adjunct faculty. Currently she still has her practice in Portland, Oregon and an adjunct faculty at National University of Natural Medicine. (Please feel free to edit this, but also attaching my CV).

Dongcheng Li, AP, Ed.D., Dipl. O.M. (NCCAOM)

“Expanding TCM Research Beyond the Biomedical Model - Embracing Interdisciplinary Studies for a Thriving Future”

1.0 General, 0.25 Pain Management, 0.25 Ethics (Total 1.5 CE)

As Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) gains global recognition, it is essential to evolve research methodologies that reflect TCM’s holistic, patient-centered nature. This presentation introduces a forward-thinking framework—Social & Health Studies of TCM (SHSTCM)—which integrates biomedical research with social sciences, public health, psychology, and healthcare policy. Through real-world case studies, mixed-methods research, and global collaboration strategies, this session provides tools for creating a scientifically rigorous yet culturally grounded research approach that honors the essence of TCM. Designed for practitioners, researchers, and educators, this session will help redefine how we study and advocate for TCM in the 21st century.

Bio: Dongcheng Li is a licensed acupuncturist in Oregon and Florida, board-certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), and the founder of the Global TCM Education Center. He currently serves as the Dean of Chinese Medicine at the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM). He holds a doctoral degree in Education from Johns Hopkins University and has an extensive teaching background at several acupuncture colleges across the United States.

Dr. Li recently introduced an innovative interdisciplinary framework that integrates social and health sciences into Chinese medicine research. This approach empowers practitioners to conduct independent research and offers creative, practice-informed research solutions for doctoral students in acupuncture institutions. He is the author of Research Design in Chinese Medicine: Linking Social and Health Sciences.

A fifth-generation TCM practitioner, Dr. Li began his training in Chinese Medicine at an early age in China. He holds a Medical Degree in Chinese Medicine and a Master’s degree in Chinese Materia Medica from Chinese universities, as well as a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology from the United States. He has operated a private acupuncture clinic in Florida for over 15 years.

An accomplished author, Dr. Li has published several bestselling books on Amazon. Since 2009, he has actively taught acupuncture board exam preparation courses throughout the U.S., directly and indirectly benefiting thousands of students through his training programs and publications.

Lisa Tongel, MAcOM, LAc

"The Role of Gu Syndrome in the Treatment of GYN Conditions"

1.5 General (Total 1.5 CE)

In Chinese Medicine, it is often taught that treatment of many gynecological conditions necessarily involves tonifying the Kidneys, commonly with Yin tonics. This over-focus on tonification overlooks the critical role of digestion in GYN disorders and ignores the prevalence of pathogenic influences, or Gu, in modern GYN patients - leading to decreased treatment efficacy. Understanding the effects of Gu pathogens on GYN disorders is often the key to improving clinical outcomes in difficult and recalcitrant GYN cases. In this presentation, we will discuss Gu syndrome as a driver of many GYN conditions including infertility, dysmenorrhea/pelvic pain, perimenopausal symptoms, and pelvic masses. In reviewing patient cases where treatment of Gu syndrome was essential to clinical success, we will learn straightforward Gu treatments to significantly improve GYN patient outcomes.

 Bio: Lisa Tongel, MAcOM, LAc, has specialized in reproductive health, fertility, and pregnancy care since 1999. Lisa has spent her career providing integrative medicine to fertility and gynecology patients, working in a variety of settings directly with MDs and other conventional providers. In 2020, Lisa secured a grant to develop and implement an integrative medicine program for peri-operative gynecology patients. This program became the standard of care for surgery patients at a Portland, Oregon-based gynecology clinic. She has also been a co-investigator in research studying the effects of acupuncture on IVF outcomes, and is on the Board of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine’s Complementary and Integrative Medicine Special Interest Group.

Lisa is passionate about using integrative medicine to support all families who want to grow. She has special interests in endometriosis, recurrent pregnancy loss, and transgender fertility.

Lisa brings to NUNM significant experience as a longtime small business owner, making her an excellent resource to teach the Business of Chinese Medicine and Ethics and Jurisprudence courses. Lisa feels an earnest desire to help other acupuncturists succeed not only clinically, but in business as well. The professional excellence she sees possible for the field of acupuncture makes her passionate about supporting students to start their careers with the best foundation for success. She is honored to part of the NUNM community and to support its mission to create the next leaders in health care.

Louis Lei Jin, DAOM, Dipl. OM(NCCAOM), LAc

“Anti-Inflammatory Acupuncture: Taming Chronic Conditions with the Power of Needles - Science, Strategies and Success Stories”

1.5 General (Total 1.5 CE)

This 1.5-hour webinar introduces Anti-Inflammatory Acupuncture (AIA), a targeted approach that enhances acupuncture’s anti-inflammatory effects through a contemporary medical acupuncture protocol called Acu-Reflex Point Acupuncture. Participants will explore the mechanisms of AIA, including micro-trauma responses and inflammatory reflex arcs, and learn how these neuroanatomical principles apply to various intractable chronic inflammatory diseases such as RA, IBD, and chronic pain. The course combines RCT-backed evidence with novel strategies for point selection, stimulation techniques, and optimal parameters to achieve clinical efficacy. Case studies will highlight measurable improvements in biomarkers and symptoms, equipping practitioners with actionable anti-inflammatory protocols.

Bio: Dr. Louis Lei Jin (金雷博士), DAOM, is a nationally board-certified Diplomate in Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and a duly state-licensed Acupuncturist in both Texas and Wisconsin. A distinguished rising leader

in Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine in the U.S., Dr. Jin is a leading advocate for mainstreaming Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture into federal healthcare policy (e.g., HR 1667). His leadership extends to roles such as Past President and Board Chair of the Wisconsin Society of Acupuncturists (WISCA) and to date, still holds multiple influential organizational roles, including:

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  • Executive Board Member and Treasurer of the Texas Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (TAAOM).
  • Chair of the Social Media Committee for the American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA)
  • Executive Council Member of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS)
  • Senior Expert at Wenzhou Medical University’s Sino-US Institute for Acupuncture and Rehabilitation
  • Deputy Director and Secretary of the International Institute of Systems Medicine (IISM) and European

Society for System Medicine Research (ESSMR) Relocated to The Woodlands, Texas in 2023, Dr. Jin is the Chief Herbalist, Staff Acupuncturist, and Instructor of Medical Meditative Arts of The Woodlands Acupuncture & Herbal Clinic Since 2016, he has volunteers much of his free time as:

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  • Chair of Membership Committees for the American Traditional Chinese Medicine Association (ATCMA) and TCMAAA
  • Special Advisor to the Young Acupuncturists Association of America (YAAA)
  • Secretary General of ATCMA’s Medical Tai Chi and Qigong Academic Subcommittee
  • Director of General Affairs for the Chinese Medicine Luobing Society of America (CMLSA)
  • Overseas Standing Committee/ Executive Council Member for five WFCMS specialty subcommittees: State-Target Strategy; TCM Internal Medicine; TCM Endocrinology; TCM External Cancer Therapy; TCM Anti-Aging & Luobing

Researchwise, Dr. Jin has published / co-published numerous research articles/papers and books, for some of the more recent publications, please refer to https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ALMfCQIAAAAJ&hl=en

Clinically, Dr. Jin specializes in Neuro-Functional-Micro-Needling (including auricular and scalp acupuncture), Anti-Inflammatory Acupuncture protocols, and herbal medicine, complemented by therapeutic modalities like cupping, tuina, and guasha, accureling nearly 100 five-star Google Reviews in only 1 year and half of practice. At the clinic, he uniquely integrates Medical Tai Chi/Qigong/Daoyin into treatment plans for complex cases in neurology, oncology, geriatrics, pediatrics, and gynecology. Leveraging his academic background in computer science and medical imaging, Dr. Jin actively contributes to AI-driven healthcare innovation and dry needling research as a member of the NCCAOM’s Artificial Intelligence Task Force and ASA’s Advanced Trigger Point Acupuncture Task Force, bridging ancient healing traditions with modern technological advancements, reinforcing TCM’s relevance in contemporary medicine.

Biao Lu, LAc, OMD

"Pain Management with Acupuncture"

1.5 General (Total 1.5 CE)

Acupuncture is a therapy that regulates Qi; by harmonizing the flow of Qi, the body can heal itself. However, to achieve the desired clinical efficacy of acupuncture, it is not enough to select the correct points — it is crucial to obtain Deqi (the arrival of Qi) quickly during needling. Mastering Deqi marks one’s true entry into the art of acupuncture, and the moment when Qi arrives and produces a sensation or movement is the key.

During the demonstration, the teacher performed needling on students to showcase these unique techniques. The “Deltoid Jumping Needling” is a special method invented by the teacher, known as the Lu’s Jumping Needling Technique. The specific procedure is as follows: choose any two points in the full, fleshy part of the deltoid muscle. Using 1.5-inch needles, insert them slowly while searching for a “jump.” Once visible muscle twitching occurs, stop manipulating the needle. Then insert a second needle into the same muscle bundle, again seeking the jump. Once the muscle responds, “retain the Qi,” connect electroacupuncture, apply mild stimulation, and retain the needles for 30 minutes.

This method is very effective for treating pain on the opposite side of the body below the waist, including the hip, knee, leg, ankle, and foot.

During the “jumping” process, use the left hand to palpate the point, and slowly insert the needle into the superficial layer of the muscle. When the needle tip touches an acupoint or meridian, it triggers the muscle spindle to contract, causing visible muscle twitching. If no twitch occurs after insertion, withdraw the needle to the subcutaneous layer, change the angle, and search again until finding the “responsive point” that induces the muscle to jump. The practitioner can visually observe the twitch or feel it through the pressing hand — this indicates that the needle has activated the flow of meridian Qi, signifying Deqi.

Once Deqi is achieved through the jumping response, immediately stop advancing the needle and keep the needle tip at the exact point where the twitch occurred to “retain the Qi.” The needle may be gently twirled but not lifted or thrust; the tip must remain still — this is called “guarding the Qi.” Each time the handle is rotated, the muscle twitches again, showing that the Qi is being held. Applying electroacupuncture while guarding Qi can further enhance the therapeutic effect.

Achieving Deqi through jumping needling is like inserting a key into a lock — only when the correct key is inserted and turned in the right direction will the lock open. Likewise, Deqi through jumping needling is the key to therapeutic success.

Deqi occurs when the needle reaches the superficial muscle tissue, causing the muscle bundle to contract and activating both sensory and motor neurons. This results in a visible muscle twitch, along with sensations such as soreness, numbness, distention, or dull pain. The intensity of electroacupuncture stimulation should be adjusted to a mildly perceptible level.

Bio: Dr. Biao Lu, a licensed acupuncturist based in Los Angeles, USA, began his formal study of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in 1979 at Gansu College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, majoring in Chinese Medicine. After graduating in 1984, he remained at the university as a faculty member in the Department of Acupuncture, studying under Professor Zheng Kuishan. In 1986, Dr. Lu was admitted to the Master’s program at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, where he studied under the renowned Professor Yang Jiasan. Upon completing his master’s degree in 1989, he was appointed Associate Chief Physician and Director of the Acupuncture Department at the Beijing Institute of Modern TCM Clinical Immunology, where he also studied clinical acupuncture with the legendary Professor He Puren for over two years.

In 1991, Dr. Lu was invited by Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Los Angeles to teach and supervise clinical training. He also served as Assistant to the Dean of Academic Affairs. In 1993, he became a clinical partner at Harmony and Nature Acupuncture Clinic.

In 1997, Dr. Lu and his wife, Dr. Jing Xiaoting, founded their private practice — the U.S. Traditional Chinese Rehabilitation Center, where he continues to practice daily. Over the years, he has been invited to lecture across the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom (London), Canada, Argentina, Hong Kong, and China, including at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).

Dr. Lu currently serves as:

· Distinguished Acupuncture Specialist, Los Angeles Chinese Medicine Association

· Director of the Acupuncture Committee, American Traditional Chinese Medicine Association

· Visiting Professor and Doctoral Supervisor, at multiple TCM universities across the U.S.

· Honorary President, Los Angeles Martial Medical College

· Senior Distinguished Expert, Wenzhou Medical University Sino–U.S. Acupuncture Rehabilitation Research Institute

· Chairman, Expert Committee of the World Federation of Integrative Medicine