College of Integrated Chinese Medicine

09/09/2025

This Acupuncture Point Combinations for Mental & Emotional Health in-person workshop on Saturday 20th September will be almost entirely practical, as it builds upon David's online course in March 2025 (now available as a recording to purchase), looking at the role the Heart, Pericardium, and the Shen play in mental and emotional health, but this course can also be taken as a standalone day.

There will be some lecturer demonstrations, discussions and Q&A throughout the day. Learn helpful acupuncture point combinations to support mental health.

This practical day allows you to have hands-on experience of acupuncture point combinations for the different mental health conditions. It will also include some tuning forks and other modalities that David uses in clinic to treat the emotions.

But David has now also added another workshop on Sunday 21st September, Using Tuning Forks for Sensitive Patients - where he will do a deep dive into using tuning forks to support patients who are sensitive, energetically depleted, or needle-phobic, all whilst remaining rooted in the classical framework of Chinese medicine.

All 3 workshops dovetail beautifully together, or they can be taken individually to each add some important extra skills into your clinical practice around mental and emotional health of our patients.


📚 Acupuncture Point Combinations for Mental Health
🧑‍🏫 David Hartmann
📆 Sat 20th September 2025
🏫 In person at CICM
💰 £150
👍 Bundle both courses, save an extra £50
✅ For acupuncture graduates


At the end of this Saturday workshop participants will:

• Be more proficient in identifying the different types of depression and anxiety commonly seen in clinic.

• Understand the various forms of diagnoses that can apply for depression and anxiety.

• More confidently diagnose and treat patients with depression and anxiety.

• Feel more confident treating patients with mental and emotional trauma; in particular, aiding them to find their inner joy and contentment.

• Have a greater insight into the importance of acupuncture point combinations, as well as special point categories.

• Feel like they now have the tools to construct their own acupuncture point combinations for patients with mental and emotional trauma.


You can save £50 by booking both Saturday & Sunday in-person September workshops at CICM, together at the same time.

https://www.acupuncturecollege.org.uk/cpd-courses/acupuncture-point-combinations-for-mental-health/

Learn acupuncture point combinations to help patients find peace, & explore various special acupuncture point categories that are good to remember when treating patients with mental & emotional disorders.

08/09/2025

We have all of the five elements within us, and as we have seen in our recent posts, when the earth element becomes imbalanced, it can create different symptoms within our minds, bodies and emotions.

But we may also have one element which is primarily imbalanced, which creates recognisable characteristics in a person. This is what we work with in the five element style of acupuncture. It suggests that the constitutional weakness of the element and its organs have an important impact on our health and our emotional expression.

If a person’s earth element is primarily imbalanced, or weakest out of the five elements, then they could be an earth type person and they might:

🌎 Have a yellow look at the side of the eyes
🌎 Have a voice tone that goes up and down a lot
🌎 Give you all kinds of support and help
🌎 Over-smother you with care and concern
🌎 Complain a lot, as if constantly seeking sympathy
🌎 Look either under or over-nourished
🌎 Feel tired and sometimes say they can't think

🙋🏻‍♀️ So do we have any wonderful earth element types in the house?! Do you know your own dominant element type? Let us know in the comments!

☯️ Did you know that we are unlike any other acupuncture college, because we offer this integrated teaching style of both five element constitutional acupuncture & traditional Chinese medicine…

🎓 We are still enrolling for the last few places on our October 2025 class, which has weekday classes on Mondays and Tuesdays.

🌼 But if weekend classes would suit your schedule better, then our Spring 2026 intake is for you - attend one of our open days now to find out more…

📆 Saturday 20th September - 11:30 - 13:30 | at the college
📆 Monday 13th October - 19:00 - 20:30 | online

➡️ Book your place here via messenger - https://m.me/cicmcollege?ref=Open

☎️ Or get in touch with our lovely registrar Jo Brown on 01189 508 889 or email her at registrar@cicm.org.uk

🎓 See more info about our degree here - https://www.acupuncturecollege.org.uk/bsc-hons-acupuncture-degree

📣 And if you are already an acupuncturist, we would love for you to share this post with your patients too!

👍 Every like, comment, save and share helps us spread this amazing ancient wisdom, with the wider world!

📕 Excerpt from “Healing Your Emotions” - Angela Hicks and John Hicks

08/09/2025

We can't wait for this course with Rebecca Avern - Paediatric Acupuncturist! 🌸🌼

Essential oils offer a gentle, powerful way to treat children—and when combined with acupuncture points, their effect can be profound.

Join me on 16th October 2025 at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine in Reading for a full-day in-person CPD course designed for qualified acupuncturists. We’ll explore how to safely and effectively use essential oils on acupuncture points to support children with digestive issues, respiratory conditions, allergies and emotional challenges.

You’ll leave confident to begin integrating essential oil acutherapy into your practice—whether you’re new to working with children or an old hand looking to expand your toolkit.

To book your spot head to CICM's website: https://www.acupuncturecollege.org.uk/cpd-courses/essential-oil-acutherapy-for-children/

07/09/2025

STARTING SOON!!

A post graduate online 1 year course for acupuncturists combining diagnosis and treatment of all women, at whatever stage of life they are at. From menstruation, pre-conception and pregnancy related conditions, through to post-birth replenishment and menopause. Conventional medical physiology is integrated with Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment throughout.

📚 Gynaecology, fertility & obstetrics
🧑‍🏫 Jill Glover, Kim Chan, Clare Venters & Sharon Yelland
📆 Starts Thursday 18th September 2025
💻️ Fully online post-graduate course for 1 year
💰 £1950
💳 Payment plans by monthly direct debit also available
🤲 Open to those with a recognised 3 year qualification in acupuncture

Acupuncture is a popular treatment choice for male and female infertility and for women looking to avoid medication during pregnancy. This course builds on undergraduate training in these areas including the often overlooked issues around male infertility to fully equip attendees and increase effectiveness and confidence.

Over the year, you will learn:

🌼 Practical application of acupuncture in the treatment of gynaecological issues, infertility and obstetrics, including but not limited to - disorders of the menstrual cycle, unexplained infertility, pcos, endometriosis, immunology and recurrent miscarriage, menopause.

🌼 Supportive treatment for assisted reproductive techniques (ART & IVF), morning sickness, breech presentation, induction of labour, and treatment during labour.

🌼 How to take a comprehensive gynaecology history, create an accurate, effective diagnosis and treatment plan in Chinese medicine.

🌼 Diagnosis and treatment of male infertility and the importance of both male and female health.

🌼 Deepening understanding of medical physiology of the female reproductive systems, pregnancy and labour in health and disease, including discussion around medical tests and treatment.

🌼 Comprehensive overview of the red flags of reproductive system diseases and understanding disease from TCM perspective.

To see all the online class dates and to book go here - https://www.acupuncturecollege.org.uk/info/courses/post-graduate-courses/gynaecology-fertility-obstetrics-2025/

06/09/2025

🤔 The Earth Element has a propensity towards deficiency, particularly if we do not eat to fully nourish our bodies, or if we engage in too much mental work / study… but this can also then lead to creating symptoms of Earth excess if the deficiency is ongoing…

😬 Because Earth excess often develops after prolonged Earth deficiency, when chronic poor digestion creates phlegm that builds up over time to slow and congest body processes.

🤧 Signs of Earth excess tend to be those that clog up our bodies, and can include a dull headache, yeast infections, sinus congestion, respiratory phlegm, lumps or nodules under skin, constant worrying or rumination of thoughts, tendency towards obesity or being overweight, nausea, vomiting, belching or burping, constipation and brain fog.

💛 When we identify these symptoms in ourselves or in our patients, we can choose specific acupuncture points, and / or offer lifestyle guidance to help us return to balance once more.

👍 In this case, reducing and resolving phlegm or dampness in the body can help us to feel lighter, clearer and less weighed down or clogged up, both physically and mentally…

Want to learn more? Our next open days are on:

📆 Saturday 20th September - 11:30 - 13:30 | at the college
📆 Monday 13th October - 19:00 - 20:30 | online

➡️ If you would like to book on to an open day, do so via messenger here - https://m.me/cicmcollege?ref=Open

📧 Or if you don't have messenger, just get in touch with our lovely registrar at registrar@cicm.org.uk or on 01189 508 889

🏫 We can also arrange for you to have a tour around the college any time!

💻 See more info about our BSc degree here - https://www.acupuncturecollege.org.uk/bsc-hons-acupuncture-degree

📣 And if you are already an acupuncturist, we would love for you to share this post with your patients too!

👍 Every like, comment, save and share helps us spread this amazing ancient wisdom with the wider world!

📕 Symptoms from “Wood Becomes Water; Chinese Medicine in Everyday Life” - Gail Reichstein.

05/09/2025

The CF day is back! This infinitely popular, classic one-day ‘oral tradition’ seminar with John and Angie Hicks is a stalwart of the CICM CPD calendar, and this year we have a new member of the CF dream team, Greg Lampert!

So many people return and repeat this incredible day, because each time is different, with different people and different perspectives, allowing your insight to deepen each time you join us.

To find the constitutional factor (CF), practitioners examine colour, sound, emotion and odour. We also notice patients’ core beliefs, values, and fundamental attitudes to life. When we talk about these things, we give strong pointers to our CF.

During the day you will share your own experiences of your CF - hearing people with the same CF discussing what really matters to them, can give deep and unique insights that you can take back into clinic. The atmosphere of support and trust that is generated in the group enables us to gain a profound sense of the qualities for every CF group.

These days are an opportunity for all of us to find out about CFs from the place that counts – ourselves! The only requirement is that you know your own CF and are willing to share with the group.

Come along to hear people with the same CF discussing what really matters to them. There really is no better way to experience and immerse yourself into the energies of each group!


📚 Getting better at getting the CF
🎓️ 1 day CPD event
👨‍🏫 Angie & John Hicks, with Greg Lampert
📆 Thursday 4th December 2025
🏫 In-person at CICM
💰 £60
🔁 Previously attended - £30
👩‍🎓 Current students - £50
🤲 Open to anyone who knows their own CF


Places on this course always book up quickly, so sign up today - Angie, John and Greg look forward to seeing all of you who join them!

For more information and to secure your place, head to our website - https://www.acupuncturecollege.org.uk/cpd-courses/getting-better-at-getting-the-cf/

03/09/2025

🏫❤️

In founding the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, John and Angie Hicks combined traditional Five Element acupuncture with TCM, integrating John’s ‘Skills’ course initially taught to Leamington graduates. Both had trained extensively in China, with Angie already teaching TCM.

With John's most recent book 'Senses and sensitivity', he hopes to reach CICM students, alumni, BAcC members, and anyone curious about the detailed work of being a Five Element acupuncturist.

Get your copy today! Head to John's website to find out more and purchase in print or ebook formats: https://johnhicks.info/

03/09/2025

📣 We're enrolling now for our next BSc Acupuncture degree cohort!

✨ Did you know that we are unlike any other acupuncture college in the UK?

We offer:

☯️ Integrated teaching of Five Element acupuncture & TCM
🎓 Degree awarded by the Health Sciences University
✅ Fully accredited by British Acupuncture Accreditation Board
🧑‍🎓 Student loans for eligible students
💰 Monthly payment options
🗓 Weekend & weekday cohorts, every spring & autumn
🔄 50% theory & 50% practical
🖥 A blend of online & in-person teaching
📍 Central location in Reading, 25 minutes from London


🏫 We hold regular online and in-person open days, which are the perfect opportunity to ask all your questions and get a feel for the course and college.


Our next open day events are on:

📆 Saturday 20th September - 11:30 - 13:30 | at the college
📆 Monday 13th October - 19:00 - 20:30 | online


➡️ Book your place by commenting OPEN DAY below, and we will send you the details via messenger!

☎️ Or get in touch with our lovely registrar Jo on 01189 508 889 or email her at registrar@cicm.org.uk

🎓 See more info about our degree here - https://www.acupuncturecollege.org.uk/bsc-hons-acupuncture-degree

🏫 She can also arrange for you to have a tour around the college any time, at your convenience, so please don’t hesitate to ask!

📣 And if you are already an acupuncturist, we would love for you to share this post with your patients too - we know that so many of us have trained at CICM because of our own acupuncturists!

02/09/2025

⚖️ The aim in Chinese medicine is always to return to balance for optimal health and wellbeing. Until we return to balance, we may experience various symptoms.

💛 When the Earth Element is deficient within us, any or all of its functions may be weak. Therefore an Earth deficiency may manifest in the areas of digestion, blood, thought or energy.

😴 Symptoms could include, fatigue, loose stools, pale lips and tongue, dry skin, short or scanty menstruation, haemorrhoids, poor appetite, being overweight, mental spaciness or brain fog, frequent bruising, worrying a lot, or feeling sleepy after meals.

🧁 There may also be issues with blood sugar such as diabetes or hypoglycaemia, cravings for sweet things or having a “sweet tooth” generally… abdominal noises, bloating and gas may also be present when the Earth energy is lacking internally within us.

🌼 When we identify these symptoms in ourselves or in our patients, we can choose specific acupuncture points, and / or offer lifestyle guidance to help us return to balance once more.

🙌 In this case, treatment should help us feel more energised in body and mind!

Want to learn more? Our next open days are on:

📆 Saturday 20th September - 11:30 - 13:30 | at the college
📆 Monday 13th October - 19:00 - 20:30 | online

➡️ If you would like to book on to an open day, do so via messenger here - https://m.me/cicmcollege?ref=Open

📧 Or if you don't have messenger, just get in touch our lovely registrar Jo directly - jobrown@cicm.org.uk or on 01189 508 889

🏫 She can also arrange for you to have a tour around the college any time, at your convenience, so please don’t hesitate to ask!

💻 See more info about our BSc degree here - https://www.acupuncturecollege.org.uk/bsc-hons-acupuncture-degree

📣 And if you are already an acupuncturist, we would love for you to share this post with your patients too!

👍 Every like, comment, save and share helps us spread this amazing ancient wisdom with the wider world!

📕 Symptoms from “Wood Becomes Water; Chinese Medicine in Everyday Life” - Gail Reichstein.

01/09/2025

🖐️ This popular post-graduate course now runs as a 6 month program at the college, starting on Friday 9th January 2026.

The course is continuing to be presented by principal teacher Alex Evans, alongside Kevin Young with his 20+ years experience, plus a special addition of internationally renowned tuina author and teacher Sarah Pritchard, who is focusing on tuina and moxa for menstrual and fertility issues.

Given that tuina is one of the four main pillars of Chinese Medicine, this course will equip you to use tuina as a stand-alone therapy or as an effective therapeutic addition to your acupuncture practice.

Tuina is a complete medical system, with a comprehensive set of diagnostics and techniques. As such, it can increase the effectiveness of your treatments by:

✅ adding a thorough hands-on palpation-based approach to your existing skill set, diagnosing and treating a wide range of issues, from muscular-skeletal injuries to internal organs disharmonies, to Shen based issues

✅ enhancing your palpation abilities to be able to diagnose a wide range of pathologies by feeling the body’s qi and blood imbalances.

✅ providing you with a deeply calming and relaxing treatment which yields powerful results

✅ allowing you to apply pressure and stimulation to acupuncture points for needle phobic patients

✅ combining tuina with acupuncture to strengthen your treatments, speeding up the healing process and outcomes

✅ allowing you to stimulate parts of the body with appropriate tuina techniques, to address disharmony and nourish patients


📚 Tuina Diploma - 6 months
🧑‍🏫 Alex Evans, Kevin Young & Sarah Pritchard
📆 Starts Friday 9th January 2026
🏫 In-person at CICM
💰 £1850
🐦 Early bird discount of £100, if paid in full by 9th Nov 2025
💳 Payment plans by monthly direct debit also available
🤲 Open to those with a recognised 3 year qualification in acupuncture


As a highly practical course, there is a focus on developing the physical skills and techniques needed to become a competent tuina practitioner.


🖐️ Phase 1 - Techniques

Introduces you to the 20 most common techniques used in clinical practice, and the most common sinew stretches. This module will teach you to be able to use structural analysis and channel palpation skills, be able to diagnose and differentiate various pathologies by practicing on each other, match techniques with diagnosis, and protect yourself using qigong.

🖐️ Phase 2 - Diagnostics

You will be taught how to increase your palpation skills to diagnose and differentiate a wide range of pathologies - Qi Stagnation versus Blood stagnation for example. You will be able to use structural analysis and channel palpation skills by practicing on each other to match techniques with diagnosis.
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🖐️ Phase 3 – Applications and Specialist Combined Techniques

Building on the techniques already taught and assessed, students will learn how to apply these techniques to a wide range of symptoms, including an in-depth focus on using tuina and moxa for menstrual and fertility issues. Compound tuina techniques will be demonstrated, as well as how to effectively combine acupuncture and tuina, such as using Master Tung points in tuina.

🖐️ Phase 4 - Pre Clinic Preparation

Prior to clinic, students will understand optimum patient positioning, and identify red flags or blocks to treatment. You will devise a treatment plan and be able to demonstrate this on a classmate.

🖐️ Phase 5 - Clinic

This takes place in the college clinic under supervision and will be assessed on an ongoing basis. In addition to clinic, there will be class discussions on patients, and lectures on various topics including standard treatments for common ailments, treating chronic conditions and the use of balms and oils.


For more information, course dates and to book your place, click here - https://www.acupuncturecollege.org.uk/info/courses/post-graduate-courses/tuina-2026/


Or get in touch with our registrar Jo Brown, who will be happy to answer any questions you may have about this course - registrar@cicm.org.uk or on 01189 508 889

31/08/2025

🌎 Each of the five elements have an associated organ pair, and the earth element has the Spleen and the Stomach.

🌾 We might see the functions of these organs coming to the fore at this time of year, as late summer is the season associated with the earth element.

🌽 Are you looking at your nutrition again, after a summer holiday full of indulgence and treats?

🌼 Are you looking to nourish yourself on a deeper level, an emotional level, to increase your self care right now?

💛 After the busy season of summer, we may now enjoy the slowing down, the harvesting and ripening… we can now relish the good stuff, and the “sweetness” in our lives…

🔎 Understanding the world through this lens of Chinese Medicine is just one of the amazing things you will learn at CICM, on your way to becoming an acupuncturist.

🎓 We are still enrolling for our October 2025 intake, which has weekday classes on Mondays and Tuesdays.

🌼 If weekend classes would suit your schedule better, then our Spring 2026 intake is for you - attend one of our open day events now to find out more…


📆 Saturday 20th September - 11:30 - 13:30 | at the college
📆 Monday 13th October - 19:00 - 20:30 | online

➡️ Book your place here via messenger - https://m.me/cicmcollege?ref=Open

📧 Or if you don't have messenger, just get in touch our lovely registrar Jo Brown directly - registrar@cicm.org.uk or on 01189 508 889

🏫 She can also arrange for you to have a tour around the college any time, at your convenience, so please don’t hesitate to ask!

See more info about our BSc degree here - https://www.acupuncturecollege.org.uk/bsc-hons-acupuncture-degree

30/08/2025

In this immersive workshop, you'll explore the ancient origins of moxa and its profound healing potential. You'll learn not just the theory, but also the practical applications of moxa—from delicate rice grain moxa to handmade moxa cones.

You'll discover how to use moxa effectively based on traditional diagnosis, while also incorporating seasonal changes for a more holistic approach to treatment.

The workshop will guide you on using moxa for self-care and health maintenance, empowering you to take charge of your own well-being. You’ll also learn clever techniques to safely use moxa without triggering your fire alarm, ensuring a stress-free practice at home.

From mastering the various types of moxa to understanding its deep connection with the body’s energy, this hands-on experience will provide you with the skills and knowledge to harness the power of moxa safely and effectively.

Whether you're looking to deepen your personal practice or enhance your clinical skills, this workshop offers the perfect balance of ancient wisdom and practical know-how to unlock the transformative magic of moxa.


📚 Mastering the Magic of Moxa
🧑‍🏫 Sia Wang
📆 Thurs 6th & Friday 7th Nov 2025
⏰ 10am - 5pm
🏫 at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine
💰 £250
🐦 Early bird rate £225 - if booked more than 6 weeks before
✅ For qualified acupuncturists


To book on to this 2 day in-person workshop at the college click here - https://www.acupuncturecollege.org.uk/cpd-courses/mastering-the-magic-of-moxa/


Sia (Snow) Wang is a dedicated practitioner with over 20 years of experience in acupuncture and moxibustion. Trained by masters in China, Japan, and Korea, she runs thriving clinics in Croydon and London. For the past decade, Sia has also led moxa workshops at CICM, sharing the transformative power of this ancient healing art and teaching practical skills like Five Element and Six Qi.