What is Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture?


 

Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Treatment

Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture is part of TCM which is a rich and sophisticated system of health and wellness that has been practiced for thousands of years. Acupuncture stands out as one of the most widely recognised and practiced treatment methods of TCM. Rooted in a holistic understanding of the human body and its interconnectedness with the environment, it offers a unique approach to healing and wellness.

The Philosophy behind Acupuncture

At the heart of TCM is the concept of Qi (pronounced “chi”). Qi flows through the body along pathways. According to TCM, illness and pain occur when the flow of Qi is disrupted or imbalanced. Acupuncture seeks to restore the harmonious flow of Qi by stimulating specific points on the body’s surface, known as acupuncture points.

By inserting thin needles into the Acupuncture points, Acupuncturists aim to unblock and balance the flow of Qi, thereby promoting natural healing and overall well-being.

The practice of Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely fine, pre-sterilised, stainless steel needles at predetermined acupuncture points on the body surface to restore internal health. Many of the most commonly selected points are on the arms and legs.

TCM Acupuncture can be used alone or combined with other treatment methods of TCM such as Moxibustion, Medical Qigong or Herbal Medicine.

Special features

One of the most outstanding features of TCM is that treatments can be tailored to fit the individual. Treatments are always unique, even if the medical conditions seem to be similar. 

TCM is compatible with other systems of medicine, including Western Medicine and is frequently used alongside it. 

In the hands of a fully qualified professional practitioner the use of acupuncture is entirely safe and free from harmful side effects.

If Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture is something that interests you, you can learn more about the three year part time Professional Acupuncture Training programme. The Irish College of TCM has been running this course for over 40 years and starts a new group each year. Applications are still being taken for this year’s early October start date.



Acupuncture Course at the ICTCM – How to apply


How to apply for the Acupuncture Course at the ICTCM

The Application procedures are as follows:

Application pack for the Acupuncture Course at the ICTCM

  • Obtain a full Prospectus pack, Acupuncture Professional Training (Lic.TCM) Prospectus pack online as a PDF file
  • Read the prospectus pack carefully.
  • Print (if necessary), fill in and sign the Application form (see notes below) and then
  • Scan it and send it as an email attachment to the Admissions Officer. The email address to send it to is on the Prospectus letter.
  • Include an email or letter explaining why you wish to apply.
  • Include a passport sized photograph of yourself.

You must provide

  • As much detail as possible about your reasons for wishing to apply.
  • Honest and inclusive information about yourself including your educational, medical and occupational background.
  • The name, postal address, email address and telephone number of 2 people who are willing to provide a reference for you. They should know you well but must not be close family members. We will ask them to vouch for your character and academic ability, and give their view of your suitability to work with people in a caring profession.

Here you can go directly to the Application form.

Selection Procedures

We have been successfully running this course for over 40 years and accept serious applicants who aspire to become Acupuncturists using Acupuncture TCM to treat clients with medical conditions,

We take up references for all applicants. Suitable applicants are then interviewed by a senior member of staff, via Zoom, and the whole process usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes.

This gives you time to ask questions and make sure that the course is suitable for you.

If you would like to find out about some of our previous students take a look at our Graduates page.

Celebrations – Chinese New Year of the Wood Dragon


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.

To announce that four new Acupuncturists have graduated as TCM practitioners and have set up clinics in various parts of Ireland and the UK.

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.

What is Moxibustion?


Moxibustion – Moxa stick and loose moxa

Students at the Irish College of TCM in Dublin, on the Licentiate in TCM Acupuncture Training course are trained to provide treatments in Moxibustion as well as TCM Acupuncture.

Moxibustion is a form of Heat treatment used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It can be used alone in treatment or in combination with Acupuncture or other treatment methods of TCM.

It involves the use of Moxa, which is a type of herb that is dried over long periods of time. Moxa means ‘slow burning herb’ and comes in different forms including Moxa cones, Moxa sticks or loose Moxa. 

The dried herb is lit and placed over the area being treated, either directly or just above. The heat from the burning herb produces a therapeutic effect for those diagnosed in TCM terms as suffering from a Cold condition.

Moxibustion is often the main form of treatment used in areas of severe cold weather such as some parts of China e.g. in the north eastern region it can be -40 degrees for most of the year. Like Acupuncture and Herbalism, Moxibustion is claimed to be very ancient and has been mentioned in texts as old as 300 bc.

We will be accepting applications from January onwards, for the next October intake of students on the Lic.TCM. The 2024 Prospectus pack will be available soon. The 2023 Prospectus pack is currently available for reference.

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


ICTCM Prospectus

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.

 



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.