Celebrations and Good Wishes for the Chinese New Year. The ICTCM is very happy to send good wishes for the Year of the Wood Dragon to all our students, graduates, staff and friends around the world.
Did you know that the Chinese Calendar is based on the Lunar Year and the New Year occurs on a different date each year. This year is the year of the Wood Dragon. Each year is linked to one of twelve animal signs that make up the Chinese zodiac. The dragon represents the 5th of these signs. Each animal represents specific characters and the Dragon represents among other things, strength and luck.
Other animals that make up the 12 signs include the Snake, Horse, Goat, Rooster, Dog, Tiger, Rat, Monkey, Pig, Ox and Rabbit.
This Chinese New Year started this year on February 10th, although celebrations can last up to two weeks. The celebration has a history which is over 3000 years old and is said to mark the beginning of Spring. It is celebrated by family get-togethers, decorating with the colour red which is the traditional colour used during Chinese New Year. Activities include savouring traditional foods, sending red envelopes, dragon dances and lantern festivals.
China has a rich culture steeped in ancient wisdom, part of which includes its Medicine. It has been used successfully for thousands of years. Knowledge that pre-dates modern scientific methods are still being used by over 40 % of the global population as their primary form of medicine.
If you would like to learn more about Traditional Chinese Medicine you can find detailed information on the Irish College of TCM’s website.
Happy New Year of the Wood Dragon from all at the ICTCM in Dublin, Ireland.
Frequently asked questions 1 – Will I be a suitable applicant for TCM Acupuncture Training?
As the ICTCM is now accepting applications for the next three year, part time, TCM Acupuncture training course we are providing answers here to some of the most commonly asked questions.
Some TCM Acupuncture Graduates
“What qualifications do I need to be a suitable TCM Acupuncture Student at the Irish College of Traditional Chinese Medicine(ICTCM)?“
You do not need to have prior qualifications in either TCM or Western Medicine. You must be able to show us that you have the capacity (not just the desire) to undertake an intensive course of part-time study over a three year period.Prior study on intensive or demanding courses will be an advantage, because you will be prepared and know a little of what to expect, but this is not a requirement.
“What personal qualities do I need?”
You need to be intelligent, not afraid of hard work and willing to work in a small group with other adults who have the same hopes and expectations as yourself. The course sets high standards and we accept students who are prepared to put in the necessary commitment to be successful in the academic, practical and interpersonal aspects of the course. It helps to be mature and well motivated and being kind and helpful to others are qualities that will help you to be a better practitioner.
You will be training to be a professional practitioner of TCM Acupuncture so many different skills need to be developed.
You can find out more about our Students and Graduates and the specific entry requirements via these links.
Who studies at the ICTCM? – Student journeys in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Who studies at the Irish College of Traditional Chinese Medicine? What brings a person to train or retrain in this ancient tradition? Students of ICTCM come from all walks of life, but something has inspired them to find out more about Traditional Chinese Medicine. A common reason for their interest is having witnessed the effectiveness of TCM first hand, they wish to know more and potentially offer this gift to others.
My journey with TCM began when some close friends sought TCM Acupuncture after having no success in recovering from their conditions through Western medicine. One suffered from a stomach condition and was receiving strong medication which was having no impact. They were advised by a friend to try TCM treatment. Within a few sessions, the condition was resolved and upon learning about this positive outcome, more friends and family were eager to visit a local practitioner. In another example, a child of 5 years old who had a persistent cough for two years had been treated with multiple antibiotics but the problem persisted. They attended a TCM practitioner and after one session their condition greatly improved. After a second treatment, the condition was gone.
This inspired me to learn more about TCM. Having since completed the Lic.TCM Acupuncture Training from the ICTCM, I now have the privilege of helping others through my own clinic which I run from home.
If this sounds like something you would like to learn more about, please visit the ICTCM website where you can find the updated 2024 Lic.TCM course prospectus pack. Applications are now being made for an early October start.
Happy Christmas 2023 and a Joyful New Year
We wish a Happy Christmas and a joyful and peaceful New Year to all our staff, students, and friends – in Ireland and across the world.
During our forty years running courses in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in Ireland, and promoting the flourishing of TCM, we have had the great pleasure of making many friends in many different parts of the world.
We look forward to meeting our friends, old and new, during the coming year.
Wishing you all a prosperous, peaceful and healthy 2024.
Tom and Mary, Irish College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dublin, Ireland.
How old is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
China has one of the oldest known medical systems in the world. The actual historical origins are extremely ancient and therefore understandably obscure and vague. There are many myths and legends of warriors who were pierced in various parts of their bodies by spears or arrows and that ailments mysteriously disappeared.
We can gain a little insight into just how old it may be however, through various archaeological finds. In the seventies, Archaeologists discovered stone needles that dated as far back as between 8000 and 5000 bc. Archaeologists believe these were used as some sort of primitive Acupuncture. Later examples of needles were made from different materials, bamboo and bronze, there are some excellent examples still in existence from the XIA dynasty which was 2205 to 1176 bc. 4500 years ago.
The HAN dynasty which dates between 206 BC to 220 AD was a period of concentration in TCM terms – when there were a lot of compendiums and encyclopedias written about Chinese medicine. Some of the most basic and fundamental texts were written in this 400 year period and these reflected all the medical knowledge going back further than when written records were invented.
If you would like to learn more about this ancient medicine we will be taking applications for the Acupuncture Training course 2024 intake from January. You can also find the course prospectus on the ICTCM website.
Why study Acupuncture
The demand for Acupuncture as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is on the rise globally, with increasing interest in more natural, holistic alternatives to modern medicine. TCM has gained much recognition internationally as a serious alternative form of medicine (it was included in the World Health Organisations’ 2019 International Classification of Diseases).
Training in Acupuncture TCM offers the opportunity to be part of this growing trend, as well as opening a doorway to a whole new culture and an ancient wisdom which are underpinning its theory.
TCM is an ancient medicine that is holistic in its approach. By studying TCM one gains a whole new perspective on health that incorporates all aspects of the person including the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. TCM treats the individual as opposed to the condition. This means each treatment is specific to the person and includes all aspects of the person, therefore, all conditions can be treated by the same practitioner.
Studying TCM gives students the opportunity to learn this invaluable knowledge that has been used for thousands of years. TCM is primarily health promoting and so many of its teachings can be incorporated into daily life which can lead to improved health and wellbeing. In fact, many TCM Acupuncture practitioners, who have studied at ICTCM have reported that they find their work makes them healthier!
If you would like to learn more about Acupuncture Training at ICTCM, download a prospectus from our website. Applications for the next upcoming course 2024 open in January.
Acupuncture TCM training programme full
Since all available places are already filled for the 2023 – 2024 Acupuncture TCM training programme at the ICTCM, no further applications can be accepted.
The next course will commence in early October 2024.
Details will be posted on the website at the appropriate time.
2023 Acupuncture training applications closing soon
The next TCM Acupuncture training programme begins on the weekend of 7 and 8 October 2023.
The course is now nearly full so we will be closing applications soon. If you are considering making a late application you are advised to phone the Irish College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ICTCM) on: 01 8559000 to check if any places are still available.
This three year, part time training programme in TCM Acupuncture provides a rigorous grounding in TCM theory. Clinical trainees undergo intensive, competency-based, training and assessment during the third year. Details of the course are available on the website.
Why do people want to get treated with Acupuncture?
Professional Acupuncture TCM Practitioners
People want to get treated with Acupuncture for a host of reasons. It is a popular and sought-after treatment option. Here at the ICTCM in Dublin, we train new Acupuncture practitioners every year. Details of the programme can be found on our website.
When used as a treatment method of Traditional Chinese Medicine, by a fully qualified and insured TCM practitioner, such as those graduating from the ICTCM in Dublin, Acupuncture is:
- Safe
- Effective
- Relatively cheap
- It has a more than 2000 year history.
- It is not experimental.
- It does not depend on hi-tec equipment.
- It is not very time consuming – each treatment usually takes about 30 minutes.
- It can be used alongside Western medicine.
Treatment with TCM Acupuncture can be used to alleviate present disorders; off-set the side-effects of other forms of treatment; build up the client’s own resources to enable them to be better able to resist illness and fight off infections.
In the hands of a well-qualified practitioner it can help the client to reach better functioning on a Mental, Emotional and Physical level. It is preventative, restorative, potentially curative and health-enhancing.
To find a qualified TCM Acupuncture practitioner go to the PRTCM.org website.
Acupuncture Training at the ICTCM College in Dublin 3 and via Zoom.
Some of the 2019 students and staff outside the College in Dublin 3
Acupuncture Training at the ICTCM College in Dublin 3 and via Zoom. We are looking forward to seeing our new first year students on the weekend of 7th and 8th October 2023 for the start of the new Lic.TCM Acupuncture Training group. Some places are still available and we are still accepting applications and arranging Zoom interview for suitable candidates. The closing date for TCM Acupuncture Applications for this Academic year is 15th September 2023. If all the places are filled before this date suitable late applicants will be placed on a waiting list.
Teaching in the First and Second years. In the First and Second years there are 12 teaching weekends a year, starting in October and finishing in the following July. Dates are set in advance and students are required to attend all the sessions and be present in person. About a third of the First year sessions are held in College in Dublin. These are devoted mainly to developing practical point location skills which are essential for future Clinical Training in the third year.
About the same amount of time is spend in College in the Second year. This is mainly skills-based training and also includes training in other Clinical skills such as Pulse Diagnosis and Tongue Diagnosis. We have small student groups which enables us to provide individual point location and clinical skills feedback face-to-face.
Most of the TCM Theory curriculum is currently delivered via Zoom. These are taught sessions and students need to attend in person on the specified training weekends, via Zoom.
Information about how the Clinical Training year is delivered will follow on our next News post.
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