How to Memorize Acupuncture Points or TCM Herbs – Touch Memory

Here at JJTCMC we make the authentic accessible to all audiences. In this blog series on study tips for TCM and Acupuncture, we will offer some study methods to consider on your journey throughout your Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) education. Note that these study tools and techniques can be applied to any subject be it TCM, Acupuncture, or other. Remember, equip yourself with the tools you need to succeed now and throughout your professional career; this means that the aim is not to simply remember something to pass a test; rather, it is to commit information to your long term memory. Now, here is the problem: what is the quickest or most effective ways to commit things to long term memory? At JJTCMC, we empower and encourage our students to work smart not hard; read on to learn how!

Today’s discussion is focused on using touch memory.

TOUCH MEMORY

Ever witness an anatomy exam where all of the students appear to be touching different areas of their own bodies throughout the exam? Examinable material like the anatomical locations of Acupoints as well as much of the subject matter covered under Biomedicine and Anatomy courses is a great candidate for this learning technique.

How to memorize by touch?

• Touch memory involves kinesthetic/tactile learning. The most obvious applications of touch memorization in and acupuncture and TCM diploma program include: memorizing Tui Na, Gua Sha, needling techniques, and Qi Gong and Tai Chi movements; memorizing anatomical locations and landmarks, and acupuncture point locations. As an example, the practice of touch memory for acupuncture point locations would look something like this:

• Say the acupoint

• As you describe the anatomical location of the acupoint, practice locating the acupoint on yourself just as you would and will have to do on a patient.

• Finally, touch the acupoint once found.

• Another example of the practice of touch memory for acupuncture point locations would look something like this:

• Locate each acupoint on yourself per channel in order until you can say an acupoint out of order and remember its location based on touch or the touch memory of the meridian’s path.

Do we recommend it?

This is not only a recommendation but a requirement. The sooner you begin to practice touch memory, the faster you will benefit from this in clinical application. Effective practice makes perfect – there is nothing more effective than simulating your actions in a clinical setting.

CONTINUE READING THIS SERIES

• Introduction

• Rote Learning

• Songs

• Touch - You are here

• Memory Palaces

• Visual Aides

• Learning Styles

ABOUT JJTCMC

We provide authentic clinic-oriented and affordable top quality Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture diploma programs, certificates, courses, and CEUs for all skill levels including but not limited to R.ACs, R.TCMPs, RMTs, PTs, D.Cs and the public.

MISSION

To provide the highest level of authentic Traditional Chinese Medicine instruction in order to produce quality Traditional Chinese Medicine professionals and thereby, by virtue of producing efficacious Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners, promoting Traditional Chinese Medicine use to the general public. In short, our objective is to make quality Traditional Chinese Medicine professionals accessible to all and we start by ensuring access to quality Traditional Chinese Medicine education is affordable and flexible.