Autoimmunity: a Chinese Medicine Perspective
In Person + Live Stream with 2-Week Playback · Live Italian Translation · 12 PDAs
A Clinical Course on Autoimmune Disease Through the Lens of Classical Chinese Medicine
Autoimmune diseases are among the most challenging chronic conditions encountered in modern clinical practice. Diagnoses such as rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Sjögren's syndrome, scleroderma, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and Type 1 diabetes present with overlapping symptoms, complex progression, and limited treatment options within conventional medicine. Chinese medicine offers a distinct and clinically practical framework for understanding why these conditions arise, how they evolve over time, and how to address them at their root.
This two-day intensive explores autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disease through the lens of classical channel theory, Chinese physiology, and diagnostic method — with a consistent focus on clinical application.
A Classical Reframing
From a Chinese medicine perspective, autoimmune activity may reflect the lingering effects of unresolved pathogens, metabolic toxins, foreign substances, or deeply held emotional stressors — processes that, when sustained over time, deplete Jing 精 and ultimately compromise constitutional integrity.
Classical Chinese medicine describes these processes through a number of disease categories: Xiao Ke 消渴 (wasting and thirsting), Gu Zheng 骨蒸 (steaming bone disorder), Lao 勞 (exhaustion), and Fu Qi 伏氣 (latent or dormant pathogens). These categories illuminate the role of constitutional weakness, unresolved illness, and pathological transformation occurring within deeper anatomical layers — the collaterals, sinews, bone, marrow, blood, and body fluids. The course draws on multiple frameworks for mapping this progression, each offering a distinct lens on how autoimmune processes move through the body's structures and substances over time.
At its root, this reflects a fundamental disharmony between Wei Qi 衛氣 and Yuan Qi 原氣 — between the body's capacity to defend and adapt at the surface 表 (biao), and the constitutional resources that sustain that capacity from within, at the depths 裡 (li).
Key Areas of Study
Zheng Qi 正氣
The role of Upright Qi in maintaining immune regulation, homeostasis, and resilience.
Xie Qi 邪氣 — Perverse Qi
Models for understanding how the body encounters and responds to pathogens — the Four Levels, Six Stages, and their relevance to autoimmune disease progression.
Fu Qi 伏氣 — Latent Pathogens
How unresolved illness persists within the body and drives chronic inflammatory processes.
Luo Mai 絡脈
The Luo vessels as regulators of organ inflammation and blood-level pathology.
Divergent Channels 經別 (Jing Bie)
Key pathways in the development and persistence of autoimmune processes, moving disease between body layers.
Eight Extraordinary Vessels 奇經八脈 (Qi Jing Ba Mai)
Regulators of constitutional resources, long-term disease processes, and the hereditary dimensions of autoimmune disease.
San Jiao 三焦
The Triple Burner's role in regulating Yuan Qi and systemic immunity throughout the body.
Emotional Factors
The contribution of unresolved emotional experience to immune dysregulation and chronicity.
Pulse & Tongue Diagnosis
Evaluating disease level, degree of chronicity, and blockages to healing through classical diagnostic methods.
Hear Evan Teach
These clips offer a taste of the theoretical depth and clinical precision you can expect in Matera.
Qi is the power of transformation of life. This video explores its metabolism and creation — tracing the path from ancestral transmission and ambience to the formation of Zhen Qi itself.
Wei Qi maintains our relationship to the external world. Yuan Qi maintains our pattern of self — the blueprint we must constantly reference as we recreate ourselves. The Divergent Channels do both. This video explores how that dual function lies at the heart of autoimmune disease.
One of the primary functions of the Divergent Channels is to establish the Heart-Kidney connection. It is this relationship that answers the fundamental question at the heart of all immunity: what is self?
About Evan Rabinowitz, D.Ac.
Evan Rabinowitz is a clinician and educator whose work sits at the intersection of classical Chinese medicine theory and complex clinical reality. For over 25 years he has maintained an active practice at the Yao Shan Center for Chinese Medicine in Washington, DC, where autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders have been a central focus of his clinical work.
He is a lecturer in the Integrative Medicine Program at Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC, and a professor in the doctoral program at Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts in Asheville, North Carolina.
From the beginning of his practice, Evan undertook intensive study directly with Jeffrey Yuen, receiving comprehensive instruction in the classical channel systems — sinew, luo, divergent, and eight extraordinary vessels — and their application to internal medicine, constitutional health, and long-term disease processes. This lineage is the foundation of his clinical thinking and his approach to autoimmunity.
Previously, Evan served as Director of Chinese Herbal Medicine at the Maryland University of Integrative Health, where he played a pivotal role in developing its master's and doctoral programs in Chinese medicine.
His teaching is known for integrating deep classical knowledge with precise clinical application — drawing from both oral tradition and decades of real-world experience. He teaches across the United States, Europe, and Australia, and is a trusted mentor to hundreds of practitioners worldwide.
The Channel Systems and Autoimmunity
Sinew Channels 經筋 (Jing Jin)
The Sinew channels govern the body's outermost defensive layer — the musculoskeletal terrain where Wei Qi circulates and where pathogenic influences first take hold. In autoimmune conditions, this same layer becomes a primary site of attack, manifesting as the inflammation, pain, and tissue damage seen in conditions such as fibromyalgia, dermatomyositis, and early inflammatory arthritis. Understanding the Sinew channels unlocks targeted treatment strategies for surface-level autoimmune presentations — addressing both the misdirected defensive response and the suffering it causes in muscle, tendon, and fascia.
Luo Vessels 絡脈
The Luo vessels govern the blood level and the body's capacity to manage what cannot be fully expelled. In autoimmune conditions, they are key sites of lingering inflammation, accumulated toxins, and chronic organ pathology — and offer important treatment strategies for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Divergent Channels 經別 (Jing Bie)
The Divergent channels represent the body's deepest strategy for managing unresolved pathogens — drawing them inward to protect the surface while preserving function. Understanding their trajectory explains how autoimmune processes evolve, flare, and move between body levels over time — and offers key treatment strategies for conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Sjögren's syndrome, and lupus.
Eight Extraordinary Vessels 奇經八脈 (Qi Jing Ba Mai)
As regulators of constitutional Jing 精 and inherited resources, the Extraordinary Vessels are central to understanding the hereditary and deeply chronic dimensions of autoimmune disease. They govern the body's capacity to respond to long-term illness, regulate deep-level inflammation, and support constitutional recovery — and offer key treatment strategies for conditions such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease, and Type 1 diabetes.
Clinical Applications
Throughout the seminar, Chinese medicine theory will be brought directly into clinical practice. Case studies drawn from Evan's own practice will be used to illustrate the diagnostic and treatment principles discussed. Treatment strategies will be explored for a range of autoimmune presentations:
- Connective tissue and surface disorders: scleroderma, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome
- Endocrine and metabolic disorders: Hashimoto's thyroiditis, diabetes, metabolic syndrome
- Inflammatory bowel conditions: Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis
Participants will learn to evaluate autoimmune progression through pulse and tongue diagnosis — assessing disease level, degree of chronicity, and potential blockages to healing — and to construct treatment strategies that address both root and manifestation.
Who This Course Is For
This seminar is designed for licensed acupuncturists, herbalists, and East Asian Medicine practitioners at any level of experience who wish to deepen their clinical understanding of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Advanced students with a foundational background in Chinese medicine theory are also welcome.
Participants will leave with a coherent clinical framework for understanding autoimmune disease in Chinese medicine terms, practical treatment strategies grounded in channel theory, and the diagnostic tools needed to evaluate and track complex chronic cases.
Join Us in Matera
Matera, Italy is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities — a UNESCO World Heritage Site carved into the rock of southern Italy. Its ancient Sassi cave dwellings and timeless landscape offer a uniquely resonant setting for a course on the deep and enduring patterns of the body.
Matera, Italy
Venue details to follow
9:00 – 17:00 daily · Limited Enrollment
From Practitioners Who Have Studied with Evan
"Thank you Evan, I've learned more in 4 days than a 4 year degree. The course was very well structured and a great balance between theory and practice. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to go to the next level in their practice. Very Grateful."— Natia, Albuquerque
"Evan's classes are clear and inspiring. He creates a great learning atmosphere that keeps everyone engaged and easy to understand. As the Huandi Neijiang says: 'To teach is to illuminate the way.'"— Niuniu Hongyu Wang
"Evans' explanation of pathophysiology through a discussion about the inter-relationship of 'nature' and 'location' is 24k gold. Brilliant and profound content, humbly delivered, with clarity. Most grateful."— Joseph Novosel
"Learning Chinese medicine with Evan has been nothing less than profound and ripe with the depth and richness inherent in both the philosophy and practice of Chinese medicine. If you are looking to deepen your knowledge and love of Chinese medicine, I highly recommend this program."— Bart Beckerman
Enroll in Autoimmunity: a Chinese Medicine Perspective
In Person + Live Stream with 2-Week Playback · Taught in English with live Italian translation
Questions & Answers
Who is this course for?
Acupuncturists, herbalists, and East Asian Medicine practitioners seeking a deeper clinical framework for autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. Students are welcome.
Is prior knowledge of channel theory required?
A foundational understanding of Chinese medicine channel systems is helpful but not required. All participants will find the material immediately applicable.
How does the live stream work?
The full seminar will be broadcast live online. Registered live stream participants will receive a link to join in real time. A 2-week recording will be available following the seminar.
Will there be Italian translation?
Yes. The in-person seminar will be taught in English with live Italian translation. The live stream will be in English.
How do I pay?
Payment in Euros is available via Wise bank transfer. Payment in USD is available via credit card. Both options will be available at checkout.
Will there be time for questions?
Yes. Participants will have opportunities for questions throughout each day.