|
College of Integrated Chinese Medicine
|
Reading, Berkshire ~ Schools & Colleges
All types of Acupuncture Courses offered from Diploma to MSc.
About us:
Created in 1993, this College rapidly became one of the largest of its kind in the UK. Initially our reputation was founded on the quality and unique nature of our acupuncture course. It brings together the strengths of Five Element and TCM theory in a style known as integration, pioneered by co-founders Angela and John Hicks. Soon after we added Chinese herbal medicine to the training we offer, CICM studentsnow an MSc CHM course. More recently we have also introduced an innovative and flexible MSc CM(PS), allowing Chinese medicine practitioners to acquire a higher degree alongside their professional practice. We also offer a one-year diploma in tui na.
Chinese & Acupuncture Courses
Our highly-acclaimed acupuncture courses have been in existence since 1993. Graduates receive a BSc (Hons) Acupuncture degree validated by Kingston University as well as their Licentiate in Acupuncture (Lic Ac).
Our training in Chinese herbal medicine as also been evolving over many years. Our new director Tony Booker is now taking that development a step further and we are relaunching the training as three courses (subject to validation): a Postgraduate Certificate, a Postgraduate Diploma and an MSc in Chinese Herbal Medicine.
In response to demand, we are also introducing an MSc by Learning Agreement (LA) Chinese Medicine Professional Studies for practitioners who want to broaden their knowledge and expertise in parallel with their practice.
The College of Integrated Chinese Medicine clinic is open to the public throughout the week and at weekends. Appointments are available with practitioners of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
Chinese Medicine
Chinese medicine involves several therapeutic methods. Acupuncture is one of these and herbs is another.
Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into the energy channels of the body.
Herbs involve the ingestion of tinctures, powders and decoctions of plant materials.
Both use the underlying theory of Chinese medicine to make a diagnosis and both are designed to rebalance energy and thereby restore health. They work somewhat differently.
We train acupuncturists and Chinese herbalists.
Both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are working towards statutory state regulation (SSR) and each is at a slightly different stage. In both cases, the government requires initial self-regulation as a preliminary phase before acts of parliament can be passed.
point locationA graduate of the College’s acupuncture degree course enters a profession that has been creating its own regulation and its own structure for over thirty years. There are currently over 2,800 acupuncture practitioners belonging to the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC). The Council, along with another body called the British Acupuncture Accreditation Board (BAAB), has set ethical, safety and education standards for acupuncturists.
A House of Lords report published in 2000 recommended that acupuncture and herbal medicine should be fast-tracked towards statutory regulation. State regulation of acupuncture will be a major step forward, and it is expected to take place in the next few years. The profession will come under the umbrella of the Health Professions Council (HPC). In order to prepare for regulation the Department of Health is working with the acupuncture and herb professions to establish a system that will safeguard the public interest.
Contact Details:
College of Integrated Chinese Medicine
19 Castle Street
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 7SB
Telephone: 0118 950 8880
