Course Overview

The Ancient Art of Bleeding is a cross-cultural modality used from time immemorial, in ancient Egypt, India, the Middle East and throughout all of Asia. In Chinese medicine, bleeding is commonly referred to as: pricking bleeding, micro-puncture, triangular needling or simply, blood-letting. This series of webinars are designed to explore: the origins of blood-letting; different styles and forms of bleeding; sterile methodology and safety concerns; and to provide instruction on a wide variety of points that are bled for common ailments.

Course Objectives

• Describe a brief history of blood-letting
• List seven primary functions attributed to blood-letting
• List four different methods of bleeding
• Describe five different implements of bleeding
• Demonstrate proper sterile technique
• Recite eight reasons not to bleed

Course Outline

0 hrs - 1.5 hrsBleeding Lecture, Part 1: This webinar begins with an introduction to bleeding techniques, followed by a narrated slideshow from Susan’s 1987 trip to HeFei Research Hospital, in China, with Dr. Miriam Lee, where they studied bleeding techniques with a third generation bleeding expert, Dr. Wang Xiu-Zhen. Susan discusses: sterile technique; different sizes and types of bleeding needles, including disposable hypodermic needle tips and lancets; points that are commonly bled; bamboo cupping; and some interesting case studies.

1.5 hrs - 3 hrsBleeding Lecture, Part 2: In Part 2, Susan discusses: the theory behind the use of bleeding, including seven distinct functions of bleeding; further safety concerns, including sterilization and the proper disposal of blood products; knowing the laws regarding bleeding; superficial bleeding, like: seven-star hammering; common conditions that are bled; a slideshow of bleeding being done in New Delhi; a slideshow of bamboo cupping being performed in Viet Nam; and a series of six movie clips from Susan’s previous bleeding classes, used to demonstrate different bleeding techniques.

3 hrs - 4 hrsBleeding Demonstration, Part 1: In this section, students begin by examining each other’s veins and determining which volunteers will receive which technique. Susan demonstrates: bleeding in the temple region of the head on two different volunteers; bleeding in the popliteal crease on a volunteer lying face down on a massage table; and DT07 Three Gold is bled bilaterally for chronic degenerative internal knee pain. Volunteers talk about their experience after each demonstration. Careful attention is devoted to proper preparation of the patient and field for bleeding; a thorough explanation is given of the point choice and the bleeding style implemented; and efficiency in proper cleanup is shown and described.

4 hrs - 5.5 hrsBleeding Demonstration, Part 2: This webinar includes a full length demonstration of bamboo cupping (and bleeding) on the spine, highly effective in the treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis and scoliosis. Bamboo cupping is a bleeding technique that vitalizes blood in a very specific area, especially good on: joints; areas of calcification, stagnation or numbness. Detailed instruction is provided throughout the video and at the end the patient gives his impressions of the experience. Susan then continues her demonstration of unusual bleeding techniques with: 77.15/.16 Two Lips for herpes; and seven-star hammering of DT.01/.02 The Toxin Area, used in cases of extreme itching or toxic exposure.