Berkeley, CA — The Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College, Berkeley (AIMC Berkeley) announces it will offer a Medical Qigong program, leading to certification as a Medical Qigong Practitioner. Students will gain clinical experience throughout the program in the new medical qigong clinic, an extension of the AIMC Berkeley Community Clinic. Beginning in May & July 2005, this four-module program is open to students and practitioners of acupuncture, bodywork, and physical therapy, healthcare providers, and others with a strong interest in healing arts. Continuing education credit is pending for licensed acupuncturists and registered nurses.

Skye Sturgeon, AIMC Berkeley President, expressed his enthusiasm: “This development re-introduces the ancient Taoist energetic and spiritual foundations of Chinese Medicine that are rarely being taught today.” Mr. Sturgeon continued, “We are pleased to welcome Dr. Suzanne Friedman as the director of this exciting new program.” AIMC Berkeley will become the first acupuncture college in the San Francisco Bay Area to initiate such a program.

Dr. Friedman, a licensed acupuncturist, received her doctorate degree in Medical Qigong Oncology from the Beijing Medical Qigong & TCM Research Institute in Beijing, China. She trained under Dr. Jerry Alan Johnson, an internationally recognized qigong grandmaster and director of the International Institute of Medical Qigong. “Medical Qigong Therapy is a form of energy healing based on Chinese Medicine principles, but does not require prior Chinese Medicine training to master,” stated Dr. Friedman.

Medical Qigong therapy, like Taijiquan (Tai Chi), has been proven effective in the treatment of high blood pressure, depression, chronic illness, and a variety of other ailments. It includes physical therapy exercises, stress management and relaxation techniques, and external qi healing (therapeutic touch).

The Medical Qigong Certification (CMQ) Program at AIMC Berkeley consists of four 4-day modules, offered over the course of one year. A certificate will be issued to participants who have completed the 140 hours of lecture as well as 70 hours of clinic. Modules can be taken individually or towards certification, and continuing education credit will be available for each module.