The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences – Traditional Chinese Medicine recently organized an online workshop  on the anatomy of acupuncture points. The workshop was  conducted at the Academy for Silent Mentor where the procedure was performed by our INTI Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) lecturers Mr. Chong Jing Yuan and Ms Yong Yii Pin together with Associate Professor Dr. Yan Naing Soe , a clinical Associate Professor from University Tunku Abdul Rahman who performed the dissection on the fresh cadavers.

Students had the opportunity to learn about the human body beyond the traditional classroom in a cadaver lab where the musculature of real cadavers in the lab creates an active learning environment that allows students to have hands-on experience. This enhances their skills in learning about the anatomical structure of different acupuncture points on the limbs, neck, chest and abdomen area. By dissecting the cadaver  they were able to learn how deep the acupuncture needle should be  inserted into human tissue and what organs lie beneath. This was an eye opening experience for them especially as Dr. Yan used laparoscopy to show the students the organs within  the abdominal area and students were able to perform acupuncture at the same time to observe the depth of  needles inserted and the corresponding effect on the organs beneath.

One of the most beneficial things observed is that students in the cadaver lab are able to observe the  differences in the human body and discover  that whilst all humans do have the same basic anatomy, there are wide variations in how that anatomy appears. Students were better able to understand that factors such as gender and health status are just the tip of the iceberg which makes each and every one of us a unique individual.

One of the most compelling experiences for students is how much they come to respect the gift that has been given to them by the donor. Over time, they realize what a valuable learning experience this is and learn to appreciate that it was made possible because someone chose to donate their body for the good of society.  Without these remarkable people, it would be nearly impossible for tomorrow’s healthcare leaders to get the education they need.