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Monday & Tuesday Intake starts September 2022 (Plus Thursdays & Fridays class days Intake starts September 2022, subject to demand)
The theories and practice of Chinese Medicine has been continuously evolving for over 2000 years, and modern research worldwide is validating its effectiveness and mode of action. Understanding the validity of such wealth of practice, from the more ancient theories to modern incarnations, allows the practitioner to adapt to any situation the patient may present with. Our programme, designed by lecturers, academics and full-time practitioners, reflects this variety of practice, and aims to instil an understanding of all the various strands of Chinese Medicine in a teaching environment centred around clinical practice.
A Chinese medicine practitioner not only asks a patient questions but also uses all of their senses – especially observation – to arrive at a diagnosis. Our programme establishes a strong base of non-verbal skills before introducing verbal skills, allowing the practitioner to develop a good grasp of all the diagnostic tools that are a part of the accomplished practitioner’s toolbox.
The CCA programme was developed in alignment with the core values set out by acupuncture’s educational and professional bodies. In particular, it fosters critical thinking by encouraging students to question their own beliefs, as well as the received wisdom of those around them. We provide a climate where competent, safe and ethical, open-minded practitioners develop, who will be ready to engage with the continuous professional development required of professionals healthcare providers, as well as participate in the further evolution of Chinese Medicine and wider public debate surrounding complementary healthcare.
The programme is designed to:
- Provide a challenging and stimulating study environment
- Provide a diversity of approaches to learning and teaching of students including practical, experiential and clinical means where appropriate
- Provide an effective education of professional health care practitioners together with an awareness of the need for an holistic
approach to treatment in the context of the individual needs of the patient - Provide practitioner education to the professional entry standards and values of the British Acupuncture Council and to meet the requirements for accreditation by the British Acupuncture Accreditation Board
- Provide students with the opportunity to develop a breadth of knowledge and understanding of anatomy, physiology and disease in Oriental and Western medicine
- Provide students with an understanding of the use of acupuncture in the treatment of disease
- Provide students with the necessary knowledge and practical skills to execute acupuncture treatments effectively
- Provide students with the necessary understanding of the nature of the therapeutic relationship, the capacity to manage patients and the ability to deepen their understanding of it through experience in the clinical setting
- Provide students with the ability to develop research and reflective skills appropriate for continuing development as a practitioner
- To equip students with the necessary business skills to establish themselves as professional practitioners
- Provide students with the opportunity to develop key skills including critical, analytical, practical, numerate, research and communication skills
- Equip graduates with the necessary transferable skills for lifelong learning and flexibility in the development of their chosen career
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Introduction
You will be attending classes for two days per week. This enables you to have all the regular academic breaks throughout the year (Christmas, Easter, Summer, etc.) and also gives you time for additional home study.
Your first two years will be spent studying what we call our TCM Core Modules. We teach practical skills such as taking the tongue and pulse, palpating, needling, cupping, gua sha, etc. across all of these Core Modules so that you will already be highly skilled in these therapies when faced with real patients in your final clinical year.
The clinical module in the third year is where all of the different strands of the course come together and it is always inspiring to see watch our students treating their own patients under the watchful eyes of our clinical supervision team. Our third-year students complete a a large number of treatments across a wide range of conditions, giving them the breadth and depth of experience needed to become a confident and capable acupuncturist.
The third year is also where you complete your business module. We want you to succeed in your new career and we make sure that you have a clear idea of how you will get into business on graduation.
All students need to complete 400 hours of practical experience in the onsite clinic across the three years of the course. This is included in the 3600 study hours of the course and comprised of 200 hours of clinical observation during Year 1 and Year 2, and 200 hours being in charge of patients and delivering treatment during Year 3.
CM – Chinese Medicine
These modules introduce the historical background and modern interpretations of the theoretical building blocks of Chinese Medicine – Yin yang, the Three Treasures, the Four Levels, the Five Elements, the Six Division Jing luo acupuncture channels, the Seven Emotions, the Eight Principles and the Zang fu Organ Network. You also spend a significant amount of time developing practical skills such as tongue and pulse diagnosis.
AES – Anatomical and Energetic Structures
These modules introduce you to the anatomical structures that make up the body and the pathways of Qi that animate them. Palpable surface anatomy (what you can feel when you touch the body) is taught in small groups under close supervision. Once you can identify anatomical landmarks, you will be guided in locating the acupuncture points. These are activity-based classes where you also develop your skills in needling and cupping from an early stage.
PPD – Personal and Practitioner Development
These modules focus on the relationship between the therapist and the patient. Time spent observing in the teaching clinic is interspersed with activity-based classes examining the therapeutic relationship. You also do practical work looking at how your personal Qi is cultivated and used through the medium of supervised exercises and bodywork. Developing and practicing an understanding of ‘Elemental rapport’ will give you the tools to be able to work with your patients at a much deeper level
CMP – Chinese Medicine Practice
Building on the theoretical building blocks established in year one, CMP introduces the differentiation of TCM patterns of disharmony in relation to the disease categories of conventional medicine. Every lesson contains a guided clinical section where you practice how to treat the conditions you are studying.
APS – Acupoints and Practical Skills
This module develops the practical anatomy and point location started in year one. Whole afternoons in this module are given over to practical skills so that you are confident in performing a wide range of ancillary techniques before you progress to the clinic.
WMS – Western Medical Sciences
These modules look at conventional Western medicine both in terms of how the body works when it is healthy (physiology) and in sickness (pathology). An appropriate understanding of Western medicine is necessary as this ensures safe practice and the ability to converse with a conventional medical practitioners and insurance companies.
PRP – Professional and Reflective Practice
This module encourages professional maturity by consolidating the understanding of the therapeutic relationship. You will be asked to explore your motivations more deeply through reflective practice. You also start taking real case histories and performing treatments on your classmates under close clinical supervision.
ACL – Acupuncture clinic
A minimum of 200 hours will be spent in close contact with real patients in our multi-bed clinic. You will be supervised taking cases, forming a diagnosis and treating with acupuncture. As the year progresses, you will be given increasing autonomy in your actions until you are able to work as stand-alone professional acupuncturist.
RES – Research
An appreciation of research is embedded in all modules and is drawn together here in year three where you will write a 3,500 word article ready for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. This will give you a tool to promote yourself when you graduate.
IP – Integrative Practice
This module links the study of pathology across the Western and Chinese medical modules. Emphasis is placed on safe practice, ‘red flags’, understanding commonly encountered medication, and knowing when to refer on to a conventional medical practitioner. Common medical tests such as taking blood pressure are practiced.
AB – Acupuncture and Business
This module has you formulate a plan for your practice once you qualify, and helps you get back in touch with the initial motivation that made you to retrain as an acupuncturist. It covers all legal aspect relating to the practice of acupuncture and enables you to graduate with a clear business strategy to follow.
If you are ready to engage with this life-changing experience, get in touch with us today! Call us on 020 7253 1133, or email us atcca@citycollege.ac.uk
