Workshop Overview
Dates: June 5-7, 2026.
This workshop focuses on two essential components of Master Tung’s Acupuncture: Palm Diagnosis and Pricking the Vessels Therapy.
In Master Tung’s lineage, Palm Diagnosis is a primary diagnostic method, essential for determining the root cause and selecting the most effective point groups. This intensive program teaches you to interpret these diagnostic signs, validated by the modern precision of VAS (Vascular Autonomic Signal).
Simultaneously, we will deepen our understanding of Pricking the Vessels Therapy. It is a fundamental pillar of Chinese Medicine, traditionally ranked alongside needling and moxibustion. However, within Master Tung’s system, it occupies a uniquely central and vital role. It is often considered the decisive factor in treating chronic, stubborn, and complex pathologies where needles alone may not suffice.
The Program at a glance
- June 5 (Day 1): Pricking the Vessels: A comprehensive examination of pricking techniques, discussing their mechanisms, tools, and particular applications within Master Tung’s acupuncture system. Participants will gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in this powerful therapeutic intervention.
- June 6 (Day 2): Palm Diagnosis & VAS Integration Exploration of Master Tung’s traditional palm diagnosis combined with the modern Vascular Autonomic Signal (VAS) methodology. This innovative integration enhances diagnostic accuracy and treatment effectiveness by bridging classical wisdom with contemporary methods.
- June 7 (Day 3): Clinical Application & Supervised Practice A hands-on clinical day featuring live patient demonstrations in the morning, followed by supervised practice in the afternoon. Participants will observe the instructors applying the techniques from Days 1 and 2 and then have the opportunity to practice these methods on either their patients or fellow participants.
Post-Workshop Support: A two-hour online Q&A session will take place two weeks after the workshop. This follow-up session is included in the workshop registration at no extra cost.
Registration & Fees
To accommodate different learning needs, participants may register for specific segments of the workshop:
- Full Three-Day Program (June 5-7 10am-5pm): Complete immersion in Pricking the vessels, Palm Diagnosis, VAS, and Clinical Practice.
- Day 1 Only (June 5 10am-5pm): Focus exclusively on Pricking the Vessels Techniques.
- Days 2 & 3 Only (June 6-7 10am-5pm): Focus on Palm Diagnosis & VAS methodology and Integration (includes the clinical practice day).
Fees:
Day 1 only: Pricking the vessels techniques
Standard price: €250
Early bird discount: €225
Day 2&3 only: Palm diagnosis & VAS integration
Standard price €500
Early bird price €450
Full 3-day program
Standard price: €750
Early bird discount: €675
Early bird 10% discount until May 5th, 2026
Who Should Attend
This advanced workshop is designed for practitioners who have completed an introductory course in Master Tung’s acupuncture and wish to enhance their clinical skills. While this Pricking is the hallmark of Master Tung’s clinical efficiency, the Pricking the Vessels (Day 1) is designed to be accessible and highly beneficial for practitioners of all backgrounds. The methods taught are universally applicable and will significantly upgrade the clinical results of any acupuncturist.
Required Equipment:
- Note-taking materials.
- Comfortable clothing for practical sessions.
- Equipment: EASYO 6 – BAHR DETECTOR 3V BLACK-WHITE (Available here).
Detailed Curriculum
Day 1: Pricking the Vessels in Master Tung’s Acupuncture System
Introduction
Acupuncture encompasses three fundamental therapeutic tools: needling, moxibustion, and bloodletting. To achieve superior clinical outcomes, skilled practitioners must master and integrate all three techniques. Within Master Tung’s acupuncture system, bloodletting holds particular significance as a powerful therapeutic intervention. The first day of our workshop will explore the theoretical foundations and practical applications of this essential technique, providing participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively incorporate bloodletting into their clinical practice.
Workshop Subjects
Bloodletting in the Ancient Texts
- Historical Context and Development.
- Key References in Classical Texts.
- Evolution of Bloodletting Techniques.
Effects and Mechanisms of Bloodletting
- Physiological effects.
- Energetic perspective.
- Clinical indications and contraindications.
Bloodletting Instruments and Techniques
- Traditional and modern tools.
- Sterilization and safety protocols.
- Demonstrate techniques.
Approaches Using Bloodletting
- Classic Approach – Collateral Channels.
- Bloodletting of Specific Acupuncture Points in Master Tung’s System.
- Local Bloodletting Techniques.
- Holographic Correlation Utilizing Bloodletting in Master Tung’s Acupuncture.
Emotional Disorders and Bloodletting
- Theoretical framework.
- Point selection strategies.
Applied Learning
- Case Discussions.
- Technical Demonstration and Practice.
Day 2: Master Tung’s Palm Diagnosis & VAS Integration
This innovative portion combines two powerful diagnostic approaches: Master Tung’s traditional palm diagnosis and the modern integration of Vascular Autonomic Signal (VAS). This unique combination offers practitioners enhanced diagnostic precision and treatment effectiveness, bridging classical wisdom with contemporary methods.
Master Tung’s Traditional Palm Diagnosis
Foundations of Palm Diagnosis
- Understanding Biao Ben (root and tip) in Master Tung’s approach.
- Five Zang organ correspondence in palm diagnosis.
- Interpretation of palm markings and features.
Clinical Applications of Palm Diagnosis
- The relationship between palm diagnosis and point selection.
- Connection between diagnostic findings and Dao Ma groups.
- Practical exercises in palm reading and interpretation.
- Case studies demonstrating Master Tung’s diagnostic principles.
The VAS Method & Its Integration with Palm Diagnosis
The Vascular Autonomic Signal (VAS) is a subtle yet measurable physiological response discovered by Dr. Paul Nogier in 1966. It is a reflexive phenomenon in which the pulse changes immediately in response to the stimulation of specific points on the body. This change is felt as an alteration in the arterial pulse wave, particularly in the radial artery, and reflects the autonomic nervous system’s response to stimulation. VAS provides practitioners with immediate feedback about the activity of treatment points and is especially useful for verifying diagnoses and selecting effective treatment points without relying solely on subjective assessments.
Understanding the Vascular Autonomic Signal (VAS)
- Historical background: Dr. Paul Nogier’s discovery in 1966.
- Introduction to the VAS detection.
- Fundamentals of VAS detection and interpretation.
Clinical Applications of VAS
- How to provide a pre-assessment protocol for a better reading of the VAS.
- Practical techniques for sensing VAS using the radial artery.
- Understanding signal intensity variations.
- Identifying active treatment points.
- Combining VAS with traditional palm diagnosis and validating diagnostic findings.
- Applications of the VAS in Zones 77 and 88.
- Monitoring treatment effectiveness.
Day 3: Clinical Integration Day
This final day focuses on practical clinical application, allowing participants to witness and apply the techniques learned throughout the workshop in real clinical settings.
Morning: Clinical Demonstrations
Live Patient Treatments
- The instructor will demonstrate complete treatments on actual patients.
- Practical application of bloodletting techniques from Day 1.
- Implementation of palm diagnosis and VAS methods from Day 2.
- Real-time diagnostic reasoning and point selection.
- Treatment strategies for various conditions.
- Q&A discussions following each case.
Afternoon: Supervised Clinical Practice (Two Options)
Option A: Participant-Provided Patients
- Participants may bring patients for treatment.
- One-on-one supervision from the instructor.
- Guided application of workshop techniques.
- Real-time feedback and correction.
- Collaborative problem-solving for complex cases.
Option B: Treatment Exchange
- Participants work in pairs/small groups.
- Practice applying diagnostic and treatment techniques on fellow participants.
- Supervised by instructor with immediate feedback.
- Experiential learning from both practitioner and patient perspectives.
- Comparative analysis of findings between practitioners.
- Refinement of palpation skills, point location, and technique.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
- Master bloodletting techniques within Master Tung’s acupuncture system.
- Develop proficiency in palm diagnosis methods.
- Gain sensitivity in detecting and interpreting VAS.
- Learn to integrate multiple diagnostic and treatment methods effectively
- Understand the relationship between diagnostic findings and appropriate interventions.
- Acquire practical skills in both traditional and modern techniques.
- Enhance clinical effectiveness through integrated approaches.
About The Speakers
Shaun Goodman is an accomplished acupuncturist and educator with 30 years of clinical expertise and 20 years of teaching experience, specializing in Master Tung’s Acupuncture. As an international instructor, he conducts courses throughout Israel and Europe. Having studied directly under Li Guo Zheng in Taiwan, Shaun has gained authentic insights into Master Tung’s traditional methods. He is the author of “Clinical Guide: MASTER TUNG’S ACUPUNCTURE” (2024) and developer of the “Master Tung’s Points” mobile application. Shaun has pioneered integrating VAS with Master Tung’s acupuncture to create a robust diagnostic methodology.
Gil Ton has been a practitioner of Chinese Medicine since 2011. During seven years of living in Asia, he gained extensive and unique academic and clinical experience in the field of acupuncture. He earned his Doctorate in Acupuncture Science from China Medical University in Taichung, Taiwan. In recent years, he has been a featured speaker at numerous international conferences and taught Master Tung Acupuncture at various academies.
Gil’s passion for the theory of Channels and Collaterals began in Israel under the mentorship of Shaun Goodman. His dedication to this specialty led him to Beijing, China (2011–2012), where he completed an internship with the late Prof. Wang Ju-Yi at the Institute of Applied Channel Theory.
Between 2015 and 2021, Gil completed his popostgraduate degrees under the supervision of Professor Yu-Chen Lee (李育臣), the Director of the Acupuncture Department at China Medical University. During this period, he also served as a lecturer and research fellow at the Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science.
While in Taiwan, Gil further specialized in Master Tung Acupuncture, studying under the renowned Prof. Lee Kuo-Cheng (李國政).