Are you thinking about retraining in a meaningful, people-centred healthcare career?
Are you drawn to medicine that treats the whole person — body, mind, and spirit — but unsure which path to take?
If so, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Acupuncture may be the journey you’ve been looking for — and ICTCM offers one of the most established and respected training pathways in Ireland.
Over 40 Years of Professional Training Excellence
ICTCM has been offering professional training in TCM Acupuncture for over 40 years, making it the first college in Ireland to introduce this ancient medical system. From its very beginning, ICTCM has been dedicated to preserving the depth, integrity, and clinical excellence of authentic Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The college was founded by Professor Thomas J Shanahan, who gained first-hand knowledge and training in China at a time when this wisdom was scarcely available in the West. Much of what is taught at ICTCM remains rare and unparalleled outside China today. It has always been ICTCM’s vision to bring TCM to Ireland, sharing its wisdom through education, practice, and awareness.
A Medical System Like No Other
Traditional Chinese Medicine is unlike any other healthcare system. Its foundations lie in Daoist philosophy — the understanding of the Way — and the concept of Qi, the vital energy that animates and sustains all life. Qi is the cornerstone of the TCM medical system, and no other medical tradition works with Qi in this way.
This makes TCM not just a method of treatment, but a complete worldview — one that understands health as harmony between the individual, nature, and the changing rhythms of life.
Learning the Art and Science of TCM Acupuncture
TCM Acupuncture works through the precise insertion of fine needles at specific points on the body. These acupuncture points are reservoirs of Qi, each with a distinct influence on the body’s energetic balance. Students learn the locations of these points, their individual functions, and how to needle them skilfully to create a therapeutic effect.
These points lie along channels called Jingluo — pathways of Qi that flow throughout the body. Through in-depth study, students learn to understand these pathways, diagnose patterns of Qi disharmony, and apply treatment in a thoughtful, personalised way.
A Transformational Learning Journey
What truly sets TCM apart is that learning it requires more than memorisation — it invites a shift in perception. Students develop a new understanding of health, nature, the seasons, and humanity’s relationship with the wider universe. This deeper awareness informs both clinical practice and personal life.
Becoming a TCM practitioner is therefore not only a professional qualification — it is a transformational journey. One that is intellectually rich, personally profound, and deeply rewarding.
If you are seeking a healthcare career that combines ancient wisdom with practical clinical skill, science with philosophy, and healing with meaning, Professional Acupuncture Training at ICTCM offers a truly unique path forward. To start on this path, please go to our Acupuncture Prospectus pack. There are still a few places available for the October 2026 start.