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College of Integrated Chinese Medicine

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College of Integrated Chinese Medicine

The College of Integrated Chinese Medicine teaches Five Element and TCM styles of acupuncture

The College was created in 1993 and is one of the largest in the UK. Our reputation is founded on the quality and unique nature of our acupuncture course, which is validated as BSc honours degree by University College of Osteopathy. This course brings together the strengths of Five Element acupuncture and TCM theory in a style known as integration.

30/10/2025

Is acupuncture the right career for you? Have you been thinking about retraining as an acupuncturist? In this blog post, we explore the key considerations when making this big decision…

Read more about what we feel are important aspects in your journey to becoming an acupuncturist:

🥼 An appreciation of holistic healthcare

🤲 A desire to help others

☯️ An interest and curiosity about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and/or five element acupuncture

⚖️ A desire for a healthy work-life balance

🧐 A thirst for continuous learning and growth

We know that this is a life-changing decision - in a really good way! - but we want you to have as much information as possible, to empower you to make the right choice for you.

Click the link to see if becoming an acupuncturist could be the right path for you…

https://acupuncturecollege.co.uk/2023/08/09/is-acupuncture-the-right-career-path-for-you/

And then book on to one of our upcoming open day events to find out even more:

📆 Thursday 13th November - 19:00 - 20:30 | online
📆 Saturday 10th January – 11:30 - 13:30 | at the college

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

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

🏫 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 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 blog post with your patients, friends, or loved ones too… do you know anyone who would be an amazing acupuncturist?

🙋🏻‍♀️ Or share your experiences of these aspects in your own acupuncturist’s journey - let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

👍 Every like, comment, save and share helps us get the word out to the next generation of acupuncturists!

29/10/2025

Whether you graduated in the last month, or in the last decade, you can join our fabulous programme leaders for Point Location and Practical Skills - Nicola Gibbs & Kasia Orzechowska - to spend the day going over points, pulses, cupping, moxa and more...

The day is aimed at alumni and is an opportunity to practice and refresh skills where there may be a lack of confidence or knowledge.

You will cover points, needling, cupping, moxa, gua sha, tongue and pulse, starting with a brief Q and A to assess the areas/skills those attending wish to be covered. Our programme leaders will then work the day around what best suits the requirements of the attendees on that day.

There will not be a strict agenda, but our programme leaders will focus on what is requested. They will email everyone beforehand, to get the techniques, points and niggles that you want to focus on…

Therefore it is the perfect time to locate and needle points which cause YOU concern, get any pulse and tongue queries answered, and practise any skills that you may not be as confident with - all in a safe and supportive environment, with the fabulous teachers many of you had whilst at the college!

📚 Alumni Points & Practical Skills Refresher
🎓️ 1 day CPD event
👨‍🏫 Nicola Gibbs & Kasia Orzechowska
📆 Sunday 8th February 2026
🏫 In-person at CICM
💰 £70
🐦 Early bird rate £60 - if booked more than 6 weeks before
🤲 Open to CICM graduates only

Nicola Gibbs is the Programme Leader for Point Location at the college. She has a BSc (Hons) in Financial Services and 20 years' experience in corporate and personal banking. Her interest in oriental medicine led to her studying at CICM where she graduated in 2009 with a BSc (Hons). She has undertaken post graduate study in tuina, musculoskeletal treatment and auricular acupuncture. She runs a clinic in South Oxfordshire.

Kasia Orzechowska is the Programme Leader for our Practical Skills module at CICM. She graduated from the college in 2016. She lives in St Albans where she runs her practice. She came across Chinese medicine, and five elements based nutrition guidelines in Poland through her interest in eastern philosophy, and meditation. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge, with a particular focus on supporting others to develop their practical skills.

For more information and to book your place before it sells out, click here - https://www.acupuncturecollege.org.uk/cpd-courses/alumni-only-points-practical-skills-refresher-day/

28/10/2025

☯️ What is integration? ☯️

You’ll hear us talk a lot about how we teach an integrated style of acupuncture here at CICM, and it’s even in our name - the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine - but what does it actually mean?

What does it mean for our students, for our practitioners, and ultimately for the patients that we treat?

Well, you may or may not know, that there are many styles of acupuncture practised in the UK and all over the world.

These traditions can include TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), Five Element acupuncture, Japanese acupuncture, the Stems and Branches style, Korean acupuncture, Master Tung acupuncture and so on…

At CICM our degree course brings together the two main styles of acupuncture taught in this country - five element constitutional acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Five Element Acupuncture is a style of acupuncture that focuses on the five elements of nature - fire, earth, metal, water and wood.

Practitioners of this style understand that imbalances in a patient’s dominant element can lead to illness. Five element acupuncture tends to treat the patient’s deepest constitutional imbalance, and is particularly suited to emotional life challenges.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is perhaps the most well-known and widely practiced style of acupuncture. TCM uses acupuncture points along the meridians to balance the flow of Qi and promote wellness. Yin and Yang are important concepts in this style of acupuncture and it is used to treat a wide range of physical and emotional conditions.

So having this integrated combination allows our graduates to treat patients with a wide variety of issues, both chronic and acute, benefitting from both styles of treatment - it truly is the best of both worlds!

☯️ And did you know that we are unlike any other acupuncture college in the UK, because we offer this integrated curriculum?

🙏 Come and learn more about our college, and our unique style of teaching…

Our next open day events are on:

📆 Thursday 13th November - 19:00 - 20:30 | online
📆 Saturday 10th January – 11:30 - 13:30 | at the college

➡️ Book on to any session via messenger here - https://m.me/cicmcollege?ref=Open

📧 Or get in touch with our lovely registrar Jo directly - registrar@cicm.org.uk or on 01189 508 889

🎓 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!

27/10/2025

⚡️ Want to learn more about electroacupuncture, or refresh your skills in this area of practice?

Stephen Lee, author of the 'Electroacupuncture Handbook' will be back at CICM in the new year, to present a number of treatments that he has developed over the last 40 years to help chronic musculoskeletal problems that don't respond to manual acupuncture.

These electroacupuncture techniques are indispensable in treating intractable chronic musculoskeletal problems and pain.

The course will impart the theoretical and practical skills to enable you to perform electroacupuncture successfully.

So whether you are new to electroacupuncture, or whether you just want to refresh your skills in this area, this one day course is for you!

In this workshop the following conditions will be covered:

⚡️ neck pain
⚡️ shoulder pain
⚡️ tennis and golfers elbow
⚡️ carpal tunnel syndrome
⚡️ finger and thumb joint pain
⚡️ lower back pain
⚡️ hip pain
⚡️ groin strain
⚡️ knee pain
⚡️ achilles tendon pain
⚡️ plantar fasciitis
⚡️ scar tissue

You will leave this workshop equipped with a number of very effective practical techniques that will be of immediate benefit to your patients.

📚 Electroacupuncture for musculoskeletal problems
🧑‍🏫 Stephen Lee
📆 Saturday 7th February 2026
🏫 In-person at CICM
💰 £150
🤲 Open to qualified acupuncturists

We encourage you to purchase your own electro machine so that you can continue the practice once you have completed the course. If you already own a machine, then please bring this with you on the day.

Only 20 spaces available on this course - book now to avoid disappointment as it always sells out very quickly!

You will also receive a copy of Stephen's book as a gift on this course, in addition to the CPD resources.

Please note - to attend this practical course, you must have current and valid insurance for practising acupuncture in the UK. You will be asked to show photo proof of this insurance when booking your place.

For more information and to book your place, click here - https://www.acupuncturecollege.org.uk/cpd-courses/electroacupuncture-for-musculoskeletal-problems/

Stephen Lee’s initial training was at the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Leamington in the early 80s, followed by the Journal of Chinese Medicine course in TCM. He went for a month’s clinical practice in China in 1987. In the late 80s he studied Chinese herbal medicine. From 2001 to 2006 he was a committee member of the RCHM and editor of the RCHM Journal.

26/10/2025

We are seeking a new Professional Practice Programme Leader. This role has responsibility for the organisation, management and operation of matters relating to the design, delivery and evaluation of the Professional Practice programme at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine (CICM).

💼 Professional Practice Program Leader
⏰ Flexible working
💰 Estimated 240 hours per year @ £32 per hour
✅ Ready to apply? See below for details
📝 Application deadline - Thursday 20th November 2025
1️⃣ Interviews - Thursday 27th November 2025

You can see the full job specification here -https://www.acupuncturecollege.org.uk/media/880392/prog-lead-pp-job-description-2025-amended-for-website.pdf

To apply, please send your CV & a covering letter, explaining why you think you would be suitable for this role.

Please direct any questions & return all applications to the Academic Director, Lynda French, at LFrench@cicm.org.uk

25/10/2025

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/

24/10/2025

📍 Are you local to our college in Reading? Or have friends / family who are? Then we’d like to spread the word of our low-cost teaching clinic!

🥼 Our teaching clinic is an opportunity to experience traditional Chinese medicine and five element acupuncture under the care of an excellent team of practitioners for a lower investment.

🤓 In the teaching clinic patients are treated by college students in their third and final year of training. They work under the close supervision of senior staff.

☯️ So if you want to help shape the next generation of acupuncturists and receive excellent care whilst doing so, see how to book your appointment below…

📅 Held on Tuesdays and Saturdays
💰️ Treatments are only £20 per session
👀 Students are under close supervision
🧑‍🏫 Sessions are supervised by highly experienced practitioners
🏫 At the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine
📍 19-21 Castle Street, Reading, RG1 7SB
📞 Call 0118 950 8889 or
✉️ Email admin@cicm.org.uk to book
💻 Or go to our website for more info and to book online - https://www.acupuncturecollege.org.uk/clinics

23/10/2025

Thinking of becoming an acupuncturist? Are you seeking a more fulfilling career? Want to help support other people?

Come to one of our next open day events and find out more about our BSc acupuncture degree...

📆 Thursday 13th November - 19:00 - 20:30 | online
📆 Saturday 10th January - 11:30 - 13:30 | at the college

➡️ 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 jobrown@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 - we know that so many of us have trained at CICM because of our own acupuncturists!

22/10/2025

🖐️ Using Rou Fa to activate the Jing Well points on the hands...

This is an example of what you will cover in our post-graduate course that 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.

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

21/10/2025

🖐️ 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

20/10/2025

🤍 The Large Intestine Channel 🤍

The Large Intestine is the yang organ of the Metal Element.

Autumn is the season associated with the Metal Element, so we are continuing our look at the acupuncture channels of this Element and where they run in the body.

Starting on the first finger (index finger), at the nail point, with LI 1, this channel then runs along the radial side of the finger, to the fleshy webbing between thumb and forefinger where super popular point, LI 4 is located (contraindicated in pregnancy).

The channel then runs along the outside of the forearm through to LI 11 at the side of the elbow, where the crease finishes when the arm is bent.

It then travels up the lateral-anterior aspect of the arm, where it reaches the shoulder joint at LI 15.

LI 16 is on the very top of the shoulder, and then the channel ascends up the neck, along the sternocleidomastoid muscle, up to the cheek, before crossing over to the other side of the face, ending at the opposite side of the nose with LI 20 for “welcome fragrance”.

As we might expect with the function of the Large Intestine, many of these points are helpful with expelling or detoxing things from the body.

🙋🏻‍♀️ Want to know more about these amazing channels that we work with? Would you like to become an acupuncturist? Or do you know a patient, friend or loved one who would be a great practitioner?

🌼 We are now enrolling for our Spring degree course in April 2026, which has a weekend class pattern…

🍂 But if weekday classes would suit your schedule better, then our Autumn intake is for you, with classes on Mondays and Tuesdays - attend our open evening to find out more…

📆 Thursday 13th November - 19:00 - 20:30 | online

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

☎️ Any questions at all, just 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

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

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

19/10/2025

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.

Address

19 Castle Street
Reading
RG1

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9:30am - 5pm
Sunday	9:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+441189508889

Website

https://www.acupuncturecollege.org.uk/

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The College was created in 1993 and is the largest acupuncture college in the UK. Our reputation is founded on the quality and unique nature of our acupuncture course, which is validated as BSc honours degree by the University College of Osteopathy. This course brings together the strengths of Five Element acupuncture and TCM theory in a style known as integration.