Veterinary Balance Method Acupuncture Certification Track

Learn an acupuncture method that uses distal points to invoke rapid clinical responses in veterinary patients

Costa Rica
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Program Overview

Acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years. It continues to evolve and improve to this day. MRI studies have shown how quickly the stimulus from an acupuncture needle can travel to the brain. When it comes to pain relief, the effects can arrive almost instantaneously. Pursuing this fast response is what characterizes the Balance Method from traditional acupuncture. When correctly and strategically placed, the body’s response is immediate, within minutes or even seconds of treatment.

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Major Topics

In this course, veterinarians will learn how to use energetic distal points to obtain immediate results. Balance Method Acupuncture requires knowledge of advanced TCVM concepts and systems, including:

  • Shu Points or Command Points, also known as Antique Points
  • Correspondence of the 12 Joints
  • Global Balance and Imaging & Mirror concepts
  • Trigrams & Hexagrams
  • 5 Elements Theory and Seasonal Balance

Program Goals

Immediately and effectively treat all localized symptoms such as pain, numbness, stiffness, tingling or burning sensations, etc. using Three-Step Strategy

Understand the 6 systems of balancing for external and internal disorders

Learn how to Balance for Internal Disorders such as genitourinary, gastrointestinal, endocrine, 5 sense organs, and more using Ba Gua, hexagram Meridian Conversion

Learn to balance the whole meridian or several meridians simultaneously with only 4, 8, 9, or 12 needles

Veterinary Balance Method Acupuncture Certification Track

Taught in English

For veterinarians & veterinary students only

109 RACE approved CE hours

Prerequisites

Students wishing to enroll in the Balance Method course must have basic knowledge of TCVM, and must fulfill ONE of the following two requirements:

  • Completion of at least ONE session of veterinary acupuncture at Chi or another accredited institution
  • Completion of the TCVM Fundamental Theories lecture series online module
TCVM Fundamental Theories

Curriculum

Introduction to Balance Method I - IV

4h

Breaking Down Yin Yang

1h

From WuJi to TaiJi in Balance Method

1h

The Six Levels

1h

Drawing Ba Gua

1h

Drawing Fu Xi and Wen Wang

1h

Developing the 6 Systems

1h

The Holographic Concept Mirror and Image

1h

System 1

1h

Developing System 1

1h

Creating System 2

1h

Finishing System 2

1h

Developing System 3

1h

Conclusion of System 3

1h

Developing of System 4

1h

System 5 and 6

1h

Drawing the Matrix of 6 Systems

1h

Cases Using the Matrix I & II

2h

Case Discussions with Matrix

1h

Canine Acupoints Demo for Balance Method

3h

Equine Acupoints Demo for Balance Method

3h

The 5 Command Points

2h

Diagnosis by Acupuncture Ways

1h

Diagnosis Final

1h

Scalp Acupuncture

1h

Review of the Balance Method Systems

2h

Review of the Meridians and The Shu-Transportation Distal Acupuncture Points

2h

Lab: Balance Method Distal Acupoint Locations

4h

Lab: Case Exam, Diagnosis, Discussion, and Treatment

12h

Introduction & Review

2h

Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture

1h

Tail Acupuncture

1h

Clinical Cases Using Balance Method

1h

Introduction to Global Balance I & II

2h

Skin Conditions

1h

Taiyin/Yangming Pattern

1h

Approaching the Five Sense Organs

1h

Ear Issues and Five Senses

1h

Nose and Mouth Issues

1h

Abdominal Issues

1h

Digestive Disorders

1h

8 + 1 Exceptional points for Digestive Disorders

1h

Jueyin/Yangming Pattern

1h

Side Issues

1h

Hormonal and Reproductive Disorders

1h

Balancing Back or Posterior Issues

2h

Summary for Frontal, Sides and Back Issues

1h

The 12 Exceptional Points & Development

2h

Small Animal 12 Exceptional Points and Combinations

1h

Small Animal Case Discussions

1h

The Use of the 8 Extraordinary Meridians

1h

Seasonal Balance Method

1h

Hexagrams and Seasonal Balance

1h

Choosing the Correct Hexagram for a Given Time

1h

How to Choose Points According to Seasonal Balance

1h

Seasonal Balance Examples

1h

Conclusion of Seasonal Balance

1h

Introduction to Balance Method Use of the 5 Elements

1h

The Use of the 5 Elements Balance Method in Excess or Deficiency

1h

Balance Method Use of the 5 Elements Final

1h

Final Review of Fundamental Principles of Balance Method

8h

Lab: Canine Cases using Balance Method

6h

Labs: Equine Cases using Balance Method

6h

Certification

Students have the option to receive a certification as the Certified Veterinary Balance Method Acupuncturist. The certification is approved by Chi University and the World Association of TCVM (WATCVM). The requirements to obtain certification are as follows:

  • Be a veterinarian

  • Complete Sessions 1-4 of the certification track

  • Complete the 2 review quizzes with a score above 75%

  • Complete the final practical exam and written exam each with a score above 75%

Instructors

Dr. Alfaro received his DVM from Federal University of Parana in Brazil in 1975 and, in 1979, his Master of Science from the University of Minnesota with a focus on large animal surgery, radiology, and anesthesiology. In 2006, Dr. Alfaro became certified in veterinary acupuncture through Chi University, going on to obtain certifications in Veterinary Food Therapy (2005), Tui-na (2011), and Chinese Herbal Medicine (2017), followed by a Master of Science in TCVM (2018). During this time, he studied under Dr. Richard Teh-Fu Tan, achieving Silver Level Certification in Balance Method Acupuncture followed by Executive Level Balance Method Practitioner Certification from The Academy of Acupuncture Balance Method in 2018. Dr. Alfaro retired as Professor of Equine Surgery at National University, Costa Rica in 2005. He continues to lecture in Costa Rica and abroad.

Dr. Alicia López Bermúdez graduated from Veterinary School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica in 2005. She completed Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist from Escuela de Cirugía Veterinaria San Francisco de Asís, Universidad Veritas, San José, Costa Rica in 2006. She earned her Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) and Certified Veterinary Balance Method Acupuncturist (CVBMA) from Latin Chi Institute of Chinese Veterinary Medicine in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Since 2005, she is the Co-founder of the Centro Médico Veterinario para el Diagnóstico por Imágenes y la Terapia Complementaria, San José, Costa Rica, which is the first center for the TCVM practice in Costa Rica.

Enrollment Options

Semester

2025

Schedule & Tuition

TCVM Fundamental Theories
Session 1
Session 2

Location

Location of class

Club Hípico La Caraña Venue

San José,

Piedades, Costa Rica

Session 3
Session 4

Location

Location of class

Club Hípico La Caraña Venue

San José,

Piedades, Costa Rica

Payment Information

A $150.00 non-refundable course deposit is charged upon enrollment to reserve your seat.

Payment is due 60 days before the start date of each session or course.