SPEAKERS
Your General Assembly Speakers![]() Marilyn Allen, MS is an expert in practice-building, office management, marketing, and professional ethics and jurisprudence. With an MS in management and administration from Pepperdine University, Marilyn carries her business acumen into the classroom and acupuncture industry at large.
Marilyn never stops seeking opportunities for the advancement of acupuncture locally, nationally, and internationally. She is the Public Relations and Marketing Director for the American Acupuncture Council and serves as the US Traditional Medicine/Acupuncture representative to the World Health Organization since 2005. Marilyn recently became a founding member of the Steering Committee for the One Voice, Big Evidence Project: an international initiative to provide guidance on the implementation of the ICD11 Traditional Medicine codes.
Dr. Nell Smircina, DAOM, L.Ac., Dipl. OM is an advocate, educator, and practitioner with a focus on the integration of acupuncture into America's standard of care.
In 2011, David earned a Master’s in Oriental Medicine / Bachelor’s of Professional Health Studies at Florida College of Integrative Medicine (FCIM). Prior to attending FCIM, he earned a Bachelor’s of Science – Alternative Medicine at Everglades University in 2008. David is a NCCAOM Dipl. Oriental Medicine Candidate. Since 2003, he has been affiliated with Huffman’s, a natural food and supplement retailer in Crystal River. His relationship there has fostered many opportunities for guest speaking at community events and promoting wellness through prevention. David’s respect for Integrative and Oriental Medicine continues to fuel his commitment to life-long learning, and help shape his personal and professional choices. He believes strongly that individual practitioners can, and should have a defining role in promoting and protecting AOM for future generations of professionals and patients. David also considers activism and volunteerism hallmarks of professionalism; and, he has never asked another to contribute more than he is willing to give.
Prior to becoming an Acupuncture Physician, David had careers in marketing, sales, operations management, and systems training. His personal story also includes nearly a decade of primary caregiving for his disabled father. Ultimately, this last experience remains his greatest source of pride. David’s approach to life, business, and AOM has been informed and tempered by overcoming challenges. He is an optimist at heart, who believes that our lives are enriched most through service to others. General Assembly Description
Friday Breakfast Symposium - One Voice, Big Evidence: A international feasibility study to change the landscape of our medicine with Marilyn Allen and Nell Smircina. American Acupuncture Council endeavors to constantly contribute meaningfully to the forward movement of the profession. Join AAC’s Executive Director, Marilyn Allen, and Director of Development, Dr. Nell Smircina, to learn about the latest effort to elevate our profession internationally: the One Voice, Big Evidence Project. A summary of this new initiative, along with details on how to participate in this collaborative research will be discussed. Your Conference Speakers and Classes![]() Courses:
Morning Qigong Class Ting Jin is translated as Listening Energy, only listening without your ears. We will explore methods to learn to sense energy. We will use common Qi Gong exercises such as Wu Ji standing, Dispersing & Collecting Breathes, Three Centers Qi Gong, Silk Reeling Qi Gong, and Meridian Qi Gong to test our individual Ting Jin. We will perform partner energy exercises (push hands) to test these concepts.
Acupuncture and Tui Na for Post COVID 19 and Post Vaccine Syndromes will focus on the lingering symptomology of both patients who contracted COVID 19 and those who received the COVID 19 Vaccine. Common Post COVID 19 symptomology includes fatigue, memory loss, lack of concentration, muscle/ nerve damage and a list of vascular, immune and neuropsychiatric disorders. Common Post COVID 19 Vaccine symptomology will also be discussed. Treatment process for both cases will be discussed.
Acupuncture and Tui Na for EENT, TMJ, Headaches and Neck Issues
This class will focus on practical Tui Na manipulations for cervical and cranial areas and acupuncture, both local and distal. Emphasis on Tui Na reviewed from previous FSOMA sessions, showing details and precision pertaining to these cases. Category: General
![]() Dr. Collins gained his Masters of Acupuncture from Northwestern Health Sciences University and served on the faculty there and later at East West College of Natural Medicine in Sarasota. Dr. Collins received his Doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at the ATOM in Ft. Lauderdale. He has lectured and been published both locally and nationally, addressing diverse aspects of Chinese medicine including tui na, advanced needling, herb-drug interaction, effective acupuncture techniques, and patient communication. Course:
Enhanced Communication Techniques for Practitioners
“Verbal Acupuncture” This workshop draws from Transactional Analysis, Neurolinguistic Programming and other theories to give you tools that will help you gain immediate rapport with patients and colleagues, and avoid conversational pitfalls. Improve your bedside manner and communication skills immensely. This interactive workshop relies on both lecture and role play to introduce these concepts. This is a fascinating and unique course, addressing an issue that is otherwise absent in our professional education. Category: General ![]() Course:
Resolve TMJ and many other stubborn symptoms with Neuro-Emotional Technique
We will go over the science of emotions, and research that demonstrates a TCM-based protocol can eliminate hippocampus electrical impulse, Demonstrating TCM-based protocol can change the brain stem impulse. Demonstration of protocol and practical workshops learning NET technique so you can treat patients on Monday. Learn how TCM can change brain chemistry and emotional response to trauma and daily stressors. Learn tools for patients to help relieve stress at home. Category: General
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Treating Viral Infections: The Importance of the Shang Han Lun
Using the lens of the School of Cold, we’ll discuss a Chinese medicine understanding of viral infections including COVID19. We’ll look at the progression of viruses and how they can transform into heat/inflammation and effect several organ systems including respiration/Lungs, circulation/Heart and digestion/Stomach and Spleen. Brendan will also discuss his clinical experience treating a Chinese medicine understanding of COVID19 and long-haul COVID with acupuncture, herbs and eastern nutrition.
The Importance of Understanding and Treating Phlegm
Using the Wu Xing / Five Phase model, we'll talk about the importance of understanding the many different sources of tan/phlegm. As the nature of phlegm can make it hidden, its diagnosis can be an important part of treating a wide range of sometimes difficult-to-treat conditions. Based on Brendan's clinic experience, we'll discuss the role of phlegm in treating Lyme disease, cancer, and a wide range of neurological conditions. with the use of acupuncture, herbs, diet, and lifestyle. Category: General
![]() Course: 5E Approach to Treating Headaches
5E diagnoses and treats the root cause of any symptom. Chronic headaches are a common and difficult complaint. Learn how the 5E approach is individualized based on the unique root cause for each patient, and how to integrate this 5E approach for more success in treating chronic headaches. Michael Kowalski has practiced and taught 5E for 38 years. Having studied and worked for many years with Professor JR Worsley, Michael brings a wealth of experience in 5E diagnosis and treatment. Category: General
![]() Dr. Toni Krehel, AP has been in practice for 25 years and a Florida Director for the National Vaccination Information Center (NVIC) since 2001. She has spoken at many venues over the years advocating for medical freedom and has presented/published numerous articles/courses and educational seminars on TCM medicine and healthcare freedom issues.
Course: Post Vaccine Syndromes: Blood Stasis & Nodulation
This course reviews TCM Principles of Immunology related to the concept of guest pathogens as a pathway to chronic inflammation, persistent illness, and the pathogenesis of deep-lying infection: from the initial allergic reaction through post-infection evolvement to pathogenic states of modern illnesses. The emphasis will be on blood stasis and deep-lying phlegm and the immunologic challenges & pathology associated with deep-lying infection. Category: General
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Diagnostic and Herbal Approaches to Headaches - This class will explore the various patterns that can create headaches based on TCM and explore clinical approaches using herbal formulas and channel palpation. Category: General
TCM in the Tropics: Patterns in Hot Climates - Many of our patients come from the Caribbean, Central, and South America. Herbal medicine is deeply rooted in these cultures. Learn about many of these common herbs and they may impact our practices. Category: General
Unique approaches in Herbal Care - This class will look at unique approaches to western and Chinese herbs. Most of us only know what is in our books. Bob Linde will expand on your knowledge with his lifetime of combining local, western, and Chinese herbal medicine. Category: General
Chinese Herbal Approaches to Addiction - This class will look at addiction from both the western medical and possible TCM patterns. We will explore the use of western and chinese herbal approaches through the various stages of withdrawal. Participants will identify the definition criteria for substance addiction, identify stages of withdrawal and associated symptoms, identify TCM and 5 Element patterns associated with addiction and will identify common herbs and formulas to address stages of withdrawal. Category: BIO
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Saam Acupuncture for Headaches and the Interpretation of Dreams Part I of the lecture will present the construction of Saam Acupuncture's Harmonized Combinations (with Male and Female prescriptions) and the use and application of Saam Techniques per Dr. Tan's Balance System Method. Also included is Saam's Organ Centered Consciousness. Part II of the lecture will pertain to the interpretation of dreams utilizing Saam Acupuncture's Three Levels of Human Needs. The Interpretation of Dreams is the completion of Saam's 'Organ Centered Consciousness'. Category: General
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The Importance of Neck Treatment in TMJ, EENT, and Headache
Through the study of human movement, Bob has acquired a recognition of the crucial importance of the neck and how it sets the relationship between the torso (Earth) and the head (Heaven), becoming effectively the connection between Heaven and Earth. As the condition of the neck improves, many of the problems of the head experience rapid relief. We will start with a brief lecture to establish the importance of the neck, then Bob will demonstrate Enshin, Teishin, Sotai, and qigong tuina techniques. Category: General
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Learn How to Choose Imaging Tests For Head and Neck
Case Studies: TCM Medical Decision Making & SOAP Notes Requirements Part 1 required for Part II Based on real case studies you will learn how to write Traditional Medicine SOAP notes according to new requirements from the practitioner side. This class will discuss in detail the necessary amount of subjective and objective data that must be collected for acupuncture versus herbal SOAP notes. Learn how to arrive at the traditional medical decision and record it in the notes, including formulation and proper recording of the billable western diagnosis and non-billable pattern using new standard Traditional Medicine terminology as outlined in the ICD-11 chapter 26 for different styles of acupuncture. You will understand the specifics of additional data collection and legal language pertaining to acupuncture versus herbal SOAP notes. Category: BioMedical & Gen ![]() Course:
Practical Ethics
This course was designed to be super practical and straightforward. It provides the key tenets of ethics in medical practice, those forming the foundation of all the others, then moves on to the actual Codes of Ethics in our practice. The most common ethical quandaries and violations in the Oriental Medical community across the country will be provided, with practical tips to reduce problematic situations in the first place. Ethics is an NCCAOM requirement. Category: GEN
Dr. Kristine Tohtz, a Chicago native and recent Florida transplant, is a dual licensed Chiropractic Physician and Acupuncturist. She graduated magna cum laude from the National University of Health Sciences in April 2001. While attending chiropractic school, she also began working toward a diplomate in Acupuncture and in August 2009 received her Diplomate in Acupuncture from the American Chiropractic Association’s Council on Chiropractic Acupuncture (CCA) of which she sat on the board over 8 years in various positions and now helps coordinate educational efforts for the group as President Emeritus. After attending two supervised medical internships in Beijing and Hangzhou, China, she found advanced studies to be warranted and obtained her Master’s of Science in Acupuncture (MsAc) through the National University of Health Sciences graduating summa cum laude in August 2014. She has also served on the Illinois DPR Acupuncture Board for 6 years.
Saturday Breakfast Symposium Integrating Western TMJ Diagnosis with Manual Care for the OM Practitioner ![]() She empowers her patients with a personalized map for understanding and transforming their health. Besides being an expert in hormone balance and fertility optimization, she specializes in helping people heal digestive problems such as IBS, Ulcerative Colitis, parasitic infections, Candida overgrowth, and SIBO to rebuild a bulletproof microbiome. Course: Sunday Breakfast Symposium Learning objectives:
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