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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.

09/12/2025

🖐️ Sinew channel stretches in Tuina 🖐️

This reel shows a demonstration of a sinew stretch for the stomach sinew channel. The stretches tend to be counterintuitive in that the patient is asked to move the sinew being treated in one direction, whilst being asked to push back in the opposite direction against the practitioner. Please note that when doing a sinew stretch the practitioner does not force movement but only acts as a resistance to the patient’s movement.

🖐️ Sinew channels are the most external channels
🖐️ Sinew channels are broad, overlapping & cover wide areas
🖐️ They are made of muscles, tendons, ligaments & tissues
🖐️ They are instinctive channels
🖐️ They allow us to move, breathe & digest
🖐️ These sinew channels keep us supported when resting
🖐️ As sinews are superficial, tuina is the most effective treatment
🖐️ Manual stretching of sinew channels is a responsive treatment
🖐️ Not only for local treatment but also affects the whole channel
🖐️ 108 sinew stretches - learn the most clinically effective ones!

These techniques are short and tend to have an immediate therapeutic effect. Which is what makes them so popular. They can be used for a wide range of treatments such as:

🖐️ External invasions
🖐️ Pain syndromes
🖐️ Allergies – internal and external
🖐️ Dermatology
🖐️ Ear, eyes, nose and throat
🖐️ Gastro intestinal issues
🖐️ Mood disorders
🖐️ Nervous systems disorders

These are just some of the kinds of tips and treatments you will learn on our newly revamped and refreshed post-graduate diploma, which now runs as a 6 month course at the college, starting on 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 Diploma - 6 months
🧑‍🏫 Alex Evans, Kevin Young & Sarah Pritchard
📆 Starts Friday 9th January 2026
🏫 In-person at CICM
💰 £1850
💳 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

08/12/2025

Philip Weeks is returning to CICM in February 2026 to run his incredibly popular CPD course on Master Tung Acupuncture.

Tung acupuncture is well known for its quick and spontaneous results. Practitioners who use it commonly observe noticeable effects in as little as 1 to 2 treatments, involving very few points.

When treating pain, results are usually instant upon inserting needles, and they are never inserted in the site of pain or injury. Improvement on a variety of conditions can be immediate and long lasting. This style of acupuncture is useful for both acute and chronic conditions, particularly for conditions such as psoriasis, asthma, tinnitus and chronic fatigue.

These are level 1 and 2 interactive workshops where you will have the opportunity to needle these points under supervision.

Day 1 - you will learn practical prescriptions:

🎯 Hormonal balancing, incl ‘unblocking fallopian tubes’
🎯 Immediately effect on back pain and sciatica
🎯 Asthma, eczema and psoriasis
🎯 Powerful kidney tonification protocol
🎯 Treating hip, ankle and elbow pain

Day 2 - you will deepen your understanding of this extraordinary system and learn additional prescriptions including:

🎯 Treating angina and heart disease
🎯 Powerful protocols for liver disease
🎯 Potent immune stimulation / balancing autoimmune disease
🎯 Treating glaucoma and eye disorders with the tung system
🎯 Resolving whiplash and neck pain

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.

📚 Master Tung - Day 1 & 2
🎓️ 2 day CPD event
👨‍🏫 Philip Weeks
📆 Wed 11th & Thurs 12th Feb 2026
🏫 In-person at CICM
💰 £255
🐦 Early bird rate £245 - if booked more than 6 weeks before
🤲 Open to acupuncture graduates

Philip Weeks has been a practitioner of natural medicine for over 20 years. He encountered Tung acupuncture after his initial training at CICM and now teaches it internationally. He is a practitioner of natural medicine and nutrition, is a master herbalist and is the author of ‘Make Yourself Better’ published by Singing Dragon. He runs a clinic in Marylebone in central London.

For more information and to secure your place, head to our website - https://www.acupuncturecollege.org.uk/cpd-courses/master-tung-acupuncture-day-1-and-2/

07/12/2025

👀 We are seeking more patients who are willing to be interviewed by a highly experienced practitioner in front of a class of students.

🥼 In return you will receive a FREE treatment with your college-based acupuncturist at your next appointment.

🧑‍🏫 During the session you will be asked questions, by the practitioner, in front of a class of approximately 30 students.

🎙️ Patients often report this is a really enjoyable and rewarding experience

👅 You will have your tongue examined and your pulses may be taken by the class members.

⏰ These sessions vary and can be a morning or an afternoon session, lasting around 1.5 hours.

🤫 All the information you give will be treated as strictly confidential, as it would be in a normal clinic setting.

☎️ Call our admin team on - 0118 950 8889.

📧 Or email rheary@cicm.org.uk

🙏 The sessions are an important part of the students’ learning, so we thank you in advance for helping us – we hope that you will find it interesting and enjoyable as well.

06/12/2025

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/

05/12/2025

🎥 Here is our lovely registrar Jo Brown, talking about her role at the college and how she is ready to answer all your questions about studying with us for a BSc degree in acupuncture!

🌸 Jo is currently enrolling students into our Spring cohort that starts in April 2026, and has classes on weekends.

🏫 We hold regular online and in-person open days, and our next one at the college is coming up in the new year…

Our next open day events are on:

📆 Saturday 10th January - 11:30 - 13:30 | at the college
📆 Thursday 12th February - 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 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 post with your patients too - we know that so many of us have trained at CICM because of our own acupuncturists!

04/12/2025

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...

📆 Saturday 10th January - 11:30 - 13:30 | at the college
📆 Thursday 12th February - 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 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!

02/12/2025

⚡️ 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.

01/12/2025

📍 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

30/11/2025

🖐️ 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
💳 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

29/11/2025

🔥 Moxibustion applies heat to acupuncture points, or areas of the body. The material burned is mainly “moxa-wool” in the form of a cone or stick.

There are a number of plants that can be used for moxa, including the Artemisia Vulgaris, a type of chrysanthemum, similar to mugwort.

It is warming, bitter and acrid in its energetics, allowing it to:

🔥 warm meridians and expel cold
🔥 induce the smooth flow of qi and blood
🔥 strengthen yang from collapse
🔥 prevent diseases and keep healthy

Moxa can be done directly, with cones placed directly on the skin, upon an acupuncture point and set alight.

A cone may also be placed upon a slice of ginger, garlic or some salt, for indirect moxa that does not rest on the skin directly, but is insulated by the material chosen.

Indirect moxibustion can also be done with a moxa stick (looks like a cigar!) which warms the point from above, or it may also be used with a “pecking” motion.

Moxa may also be placed upon the end of the needle, to transmit heat deep into the acupuncture point. This method functions to warm the meridians and promote free flow of qi and blood, so as to treat painful joints caused by cold-damp.

This is part of our TCM curriculum at the college… if you wish to know more about our degree, come to one of our upcoming open days.

📆 Saturday 10th January - 11:30 - 13:30 | at the college
📆 Thursday 12th February - 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 just get in touch with our lovely registrar Jo Brown 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!

📕 Excerpt from “Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion” by Cheng Xinnong.

28/11/2025

📣 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 10th January - 11:30 - 13:30 | at the college
📆 Thursday 12th February - 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!

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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Our Story

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.