Presenter: Kumiko Shirai, DACM, LAc

Original Date: June 6, 2026

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.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about history of abdominal diagnosis in Chinese and Japanese medicine
• Learn how to interpret abdominal findings into herbal methods and treatments
• Learn an additional tool besides pulse and tongue diagnosis to determine the health of the blood
• Learn signs, symptoms and pattern of blood illnesses before it becomes a disease

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.

NUNM is accredited by the North American Naturopathic Continuing Education Council (NANCEAC). This activity qualifies for 1.5 General CEUs.