One of the things I most enjoyed when becoming an Acupuncturist at the ICTCM was the niche knowledge of TCM philosophy that I acquired. Another was the insight into all of the Acupuncture points especially the names and the Chinese characters. Also I really appreciated the help and guidance when setting up my own clinic in the third year of the Acupuncture training.

Taiji the Great Polarity

Niche knowledge – At the heart of TCM Acupuncture Training lies the richness of TCM philosophy, with its principles of Yin and Yang, Qi, and the Five Vital Substances. Delving into these ancient concepts, I found myself immersed in a world where the body is viewed as a dynamic ecosystem, interconnected and in constant flux. A whole new view of the world and nature began to form. The insight into how to live in harmony with it and to learn its way was something I found hugely fascinating and very beneficial in terms of personal growth. This knowledge is not yet widely known and in fact is becoming more difficult to find in modern times. I felt a deep appreciation to have found it and be given the opportunity to learn it.

Acupuncture points and their names and characters – The learning of the points and their precise location was challenging and indeed very demanding. However, what interested me was the names given to, and the characters used for, each individual point. These painted a picture of what they did within the body. The characters that are used in the Chinese language give clues to what the words mean or represent, which makes it difficult for the meaning to get lost in translation as time passes, as often happens in other languages.

Support in Setting up my own Clinic – I also found the help and guidance offered by experience staff in the clinical year, prior to setting up my own clinic, was very beneficial. This was something I had little knowledge about and greatly relied on the expertise of the clinical supervisors who guided me through the whole process. Getting to set up my clinic during the clinical year meant I had access to the support and help offered by the college as I learned the ins and outs of running my own business. 

If you are interested in becoming an Acupuncturist at the ICTCM, applications are still being taken for the 2024 start in early October. Application forms can be found as part of the prospectus pack.