Acupressure and Acupuncture Courses

ACUPRESSURE AND MERIDIAN MASSAGE
FOUNDATION IN ACUPUNCTURE
CERTIFICATE IN ACUPUNCTURE
DIPLOMA IN ACUPUNCTURE

ACUPRESSURE AND MERIDIAN MASSAGE

Aim
The aim of the course is to introduce practitioners to an essential facet of Eastern medicine that will allow practitioners to enhance the quality of treatment they provide to their patients.

Course overview
The Acupressure and Meridian Massage course provides a practical, ‘hands on’ training. For anyone who practices massage and joint mobilisation this dynamic treatment offers an exciting opportunity to enhance one’s efficiency as a therapist.
Acupressure is an ancient healing art that uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body's inner energy to aid healing. Acupressure is believed to be the 'mother of Acupuncture' in that it predates the use of needles to stimulate the body's energy flow. It has the same principles as Acupuncture, but the pressure is applied directly to the acupoints of the body mainly by using the hands, fingers, thumb or knuckles and sometimes by using a smooth, blunt object. Acupressure and meridian massage can be incorporated into an everyday treatment plan to enhance many aspects of a patient’s life. In addition to managing stress, anxiety, and emotional related conditions, acupressure and meridian massage is effective at relieving and preventing sports injuries as well as enhancing sports performance. Sports massage has been widely used by elite athletes before and after national and international events. Meridian massage and acupressure compliments sports medicine by treating specific points and meridians to improve muscle strength, quicken recovery from delayed onset muscle soreness, enhance performance and quicken recovery from injuries. In addition to complementing sports therapy meridian massage and acupressure can be an effective adjunct to physiotherapy, osteopathic and chiropractic treatment. As a precursor to spinal manipulation acupressure and meridian massage can be used to relax the spinal muscles and enhance strengthening of the affected muscles and spine. In fact, manipulation and acupressure were originally practiced together in ancient China.

The course is designed specifically to meet the needs of busy healthcare professionals who are involved in treating musculoskeletal conditions. It will address a wide range of conditions, which are seen on a daily basis. Appropriate research to support its teaching will be presented.  There is a strong emphasis on health and safety, contraindications and the importance of Acupressure point and meridian selection for the management of common musculoskeletal conditions.

The course will be completed over four days (a three day and a one day workshop).

Study Hours
The course is a minimum of 54 hours broken down as follows:
Supervised teaching               24 hours (minimum)
Home study                            30 hours (minimum)

Terms/Fees

The total course fees are £395.
All classes must be paid in advance and a non-refundable holding deposit of £50 is payable on application to secure your place on the course. The final balance will need to be paid at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the course.
Courses in your area
We would be happy to discuss running this course in your area, if you have 8-10 students and a suitable venue.Top

FOUNDATION IN ACUPUNCTURE

Target Group and Entry Requirements

The Foundation Certificate in Acupuncture course is designed for practitioners who have some existing skills and experience as a therapist. For example massage therapists, podiatrists, physiotherapists sports therapists, chiropractors, nurses etc.

Aim
The aim of the Foundation Certificate in Acupuncture is to introduce Practitioners to acupuncture and to provide a basic understanding of how it may be used as a sole treatment or in conjunction with other therapeutic modalities (manual therapy, massage, exercise etc). 

Course overview
Students are welcomed from all therapeutic backgrounds. On our foundation courses we allow students to work in groups relating to their profession. Within these groups they will learn how acupuncture can be effectively used to treat conditions they manage on a daily basis.

We have created an Acupuncture course for Therapists which has been approved by the Acupuncture Practitioners Organisation (APO), LCSP, SCP and various insuring bodies to ensure that students will be covered during training and following the course.

This Foundation course in Acupuncture is designed specifically to meet the needs of busy healthcare professionals with an interest in Acupuncture who are involved in treating musculoskeletal conditions. It will address a wide range of conditions, which are seen on a daily basis.

On this course, traditional Chinese concepts, Western science and Western medicine are combined to equip students with a general understanding of Acupuncture and how it has evolved over the centuries. Students will be introduced to techniques showing how the best features of both traditional Chinese and Western approaches can be combined for the benefit of the patient. 

This course will present appropriate research in Acupuncture to support its teaching.  There is a strong emphasis on health and safety, needling techniques, contraindications and the importance of Acupuncture point selection for the management of common musculoskeletal conditions. This allows students to develop confidence and experience in the use of Acupuncture.

The course will be completed over six days (two three day period).

Study Hours
The course is a minimum of 80 hours broken down as follows:
Supervised teaching           36 hours (minimum)
Home study                          44 hours (minimum)

Terms/Fees
The total course fees are £595.
All classes must be paid in advance and a non-refundable holding deposit of £50 is payable on application to secure your place on the course. The final balance will need to be paid at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the course.

Courses in your area
We would be happy to discuss running this course in your area, if you have 8-10 students and a suitable venue.  Top

CERTIFICATE IN ACUPUNCTURE

Target Group and Entry Requirements

To register onto the Certificate in acupuncture prospective students must already have qualified in anatomy and physiology level 3 or above before they can apply to join the course. Students who have already completed a recognised foundation in acupuncture (80 hours) course will not need to attend the first two modules of the certificate in acupuncture course.

Aim

The aim of the Certificate is to provide Practitioners with the opportunity to develop their scope of practice in acupuncture and to understand how it may be used as a sole treatment or in conjunction with other therapeutic modalities.  The course will provide evidence based (scientific) Western style acupuncture as well as Traditional Chinese theories and concepts. The course will equip students with the required clinical skills and theoretical knowledge to diagnose and confidently treat a wide range of complaints.

The course will be completed over a one year period on Fridays and Saturdays or mid-week.

Study Hours
The course is a minimum of 470 hours (if already hold a recognized 80 hour foundation course in acupuncture) or 560 hours over 12 months which can be broken down as follows:
Supervised teaching           154 hours (minimum)
Clinical log book                  200 hours (minimum)
Home study                          178 hours (minimum)

Course overview

The Zang-Fu Theory
The zang-fu theory explains the physiological function, pathological changes, and mutual relationships of every zang and fu organ. In traditional Chinese medicine the zang and fu organs are not simply anatomical substances, but more importantly represent the generalization of the physiology and pathology of certain systems of the human body. An introduction to the essential theoretical and philosophical frameworks and practical diagnostic (tongue, pulse and palpatory) skills of Traditional Chinese Medicine will be discussed and implemented. Internal, external and miscellaneous causes of disease will be covered in relation to the Function and Pathology of the following TCM organs:

• Lungs & Large Intestine
  
• Spleen & Stomach
  
• Heart & Small Intestine
  
• Pericardium & San Jiao
  
• Kidney & Bladder
  
• Liver & Gall Bladder

The Meridian Theory

Meridian theory is an important component and guiding principle for the clinical practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).  It has achieved excellent results over the last two thousand years, but it has taken some time to be truly recognised in the west.  However, recently it has begun to gain wider acceptance due to the growth of scientific evidence within this field.  An understanding of the scientific and TCM theory of the meridians and acupuncture points will help to significantly improve a practitioner’s ability to assess diagnose and treat a greater range of conditions using acupuncture.

The meridians will be discussed from a TCM and scientific perspective, looking at current research demonstrating the existence of meridians and acupuncture points and how they are used to assess, diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions.  Top

The ancient physicians used the Five Elements theory to study extensively the connections between the physiology and pathology of the (zang-fu organs and tissues) human body and the natural environment. The visceral organs, as well as other organs and tissues, have similar properties to the five elements (water, wood, earth, fire, metal); they interact physiologically and pathologically as the five elements do. This unit aims to give students an understanding of the theoretical concepts that govern Classical Five-Element Acupuncture, and the tools to apply this theory clinically.
Terms/Fees

Terms for booking courses
The total course fees are £1710 if you have already completed an 80 hour foundation course or £1995 for those who have not had previous training.
All classes must be paid in advance and a non-refundable holding deposit of £300 is payable on application to secure your place on the course. You then have two options to pay the balance:

• Payment of £410/£495 1 month before the start of the course followed by 10 monthly instalments of £100/£120. This will incur a £50 administration fee.
• Pay balance of course fees in full two months before commencement date for a 5% discount giving a total of £1624.50/£1895.25.

Payments can be made by cheque/cash or debit/credit card. If you have a sponsor or source of funding to help you finance the course we will do what we can to help with the necessary documentation etc.
Sessions missed by students still have to be paid for. Missing a couple of days is possible but any more than that is not recommended.
It is very helpful in planning the course and booking the venue etc, if students can tell us of their intention to join well in advance. Obviously in the unlikely event of cancellation by us you would receive a full refund.   Top

Learning Outcomes:

What the candidate must know on successfully completing the Certificate in Acupuncture:

1. Indications and contra-indications of manual, electro and laser acupuncture.
2. A thorough TCM and Scientific understanding of the Zang Fu organs and the Meridian system.

• A thorough theoretical understanding of classical five-element theory and its place in Oriental philosophy and in history, as well as a personal awareness of the five-elements and how they interconnect people with nature.

4. The ability to use the five elements in clinical practice in order to recognize disharmony in their clients, formulate a traditional diagnosis, develop an appropriate treatment plan, and provide appropriate care.
5. The role of auricular acupuncture in the management of musculoskeletal disorders.
6. A thorough understanding of the meridians, their course, diagnosis and pathology relating to each meridian.
7. A thorough understanding of point combination and selection in the management of specific musculoskeletal and systemic conditions.

• The capacity to practise in a safe and prudent manner, and to recognize emergency conditions and other circumstances that may necessitate referral to, or consultation with, their health care providers.

What the candidate must do:

• Demonstrate their competency in applying manual, laser and electro-acupuncture in the treatment of common musculoskeletal and systemic conditions.
• Demonstrate their ability in selecting appropriate auricular acupuncture points in the management of musculoskeletal disorders and systemic conditions.
• Demonstrate their understanding and the physiological effect of acupuncture in the management of acute and chronic pain.

Assessments methods:

• Four detailed case studies (2500 words max)
• Four assignments.
• A clinical log book of a minimum of 200 hours over the year will need to be completed and submitted prior to completing the course for assessment.
• The clinical experience will be assessed by inspection of the logbook which should have at least 60 case histories.
• The logbook should consist of a good variety of musculoskeletal conditions and diseases that you have treated, using both TCM and western acupuncture diagnosis and treatment techniques.
• The acupuncture points and techniques used should be outlined and justified.

Graduates of the Certificate in Acupuncture are recognised by the designatory letters Cert.Ac. This indicates that they have completed the course to the required standard and obtained a certificate of competence to practice acupuncture.    Top

Diploma in Acupuncture
On completion of the Certificate in Acupuncture students will have the opportunity to progress on to the Diploma in acupuncture and practice as a qualified acupuncturist.  

DIPLOMA IN ACUPUNCTURE

Target Group and Entry Requirements

To register onto the Diploma in acupuncture prospective students must have already completed the Certificate in Acupuncture.

Aim
The aim of the Diploma is to build on the existing knowledge of acupuncture, with a focus on clinical evidence and how acupuncture can be effectively used to treat disorders affecting the various systems of the body (i.e. digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinogenital).

The course will be completed over a one year period on Fridays and Saturdays or mid-week.

Study Hours
The course is a minimum of 364 hours over 12 months which can be broken down as follows:
Supervised teaching           84 hours (minimum)
Home study                          280 hours (minimum)

Course overview
The Certificate in acupuncture is primarily aimed at addressing musculoskeletal and related conditions. It provides a sound understanding of point selection and how these can be used effectively. The Diploma in acupuncture mainly focuses on the use of acupuncture in the management of conditions that affect the internal organs, and the various systems of the body. The main conditions that will be addressed in the diploma are as follows:

• Diet and nutrition
• Digestive disorders (IBS, constipation, etc)
• Neurological disorders (Bell ’s palsy, neuralgia, peripheral neuropathy etc)
• Cardiovascular disorders (high blood pressure, etc)
• Respiratory disorders (Asthma, rhinitis, chest complaints etc)
• Urogenital disorders (incontinence, etc)
• Gynaecological disorders (PMT, scanty periods etc)
• Skin disorders (eczema, verruca, etc)

Terms/Fees

The total course fees are £1390
All classes must be paid in advance and a non-refundable holding deposit of £300 is payable on application to secure your place on the course. You then have two options to pay the balance:

• Payment of £290 1 month before the start of the course followed by 8 monthly instalments of £100. This will incur a £50 administration fee.
• Pay balance of course fees in full two months before commencement date for a 5% discount giving a total of £1320.50.

Payments can be made by cheque/cash or debit/credit card. If you have a sponsor or source of funding to help you finance the course we will do what we can to help with the necessary documentation etc.
Sessions missed by students still have to be paid for. Missing a couple of days is possible but any more than that is not recommended.
It is very helpful in planning the course and booking the venue etc, if students can tell us of their intention to join well in advance. Obviously in the unlikely event of cancellation by us you would receive a full refund.    Top

Learning Outcomes:

What the candidate must know on successfully completing the Certificate in Acupuncture:

9. The ability to critically appraise research articles.
10. The role of auricular acupuncture in the management of disorders affecting various systems of the body.
11. A thorough understanding of point combination and selection in the management of respiratory, urinary, digestive, skin, neurological and cardiovascular disorders.

What the candidate must do:

• Demonstrate their competency in applying manual, laser and electro-acupuncture in the treatment of disorders affecting various systems of the body.
• Demonstrate their understanding and the effect of acupuncture in the management of disorders affecting various systems of the body.

Assessments methods:

• One detailed case studies (2500 words max)
• Three presentations.
• On a condition of interest
• Case study presentation
• Research proposal

Graduates of the Diploma in Acupuncture are recognised by the designatory letters Dip.Ac. This indicates that they have completed the course to the required standard and obtained a certificate of competence to practice acupuncture.   Top