Being an acupuncturist
Becoming an acupuncture practitioner opens the door to an extremely rewarding professional career. It enables you to practice a natural system of medicine that allows you to help patients with a wide variety of physical and psychological complaints.
Increasing amounts of high quality research and over two thousand years of clinical experience testify to its efficacy in successfully treating a wide range of conditions. It is not just the alleviation of symptoms that makes acupuncture such an extraordinary system of medicine. It can also enhance patients’ wellbeing and how they feel in themselves, how much vitality they have and how well they can resist illness. This means that it also has much to offer patients as a complement to Western medicine.
There are many ways to practise acupuncture in the UK and graduates work in a variety of situations. Some work in group practices in a clinic; some work from their own home; or from rented premises; some work in multi-bed settings; some work in group practices or with other complementary practitioners, or with GPs; a few work in hospitals.
Cooperatively working with the medical profession has increased recently and GPs controlling their budgets are choosing to include acupuncture amongst the services they provide.
Working as an acupuncturist gives practitioners the flexibility to work when and how they want. It is attractive to those who wish to work full-time or part-time. The option of working part-time is especially attractive to parents who still have child care responsibilities and those who want to semi-retire.
Ask any acupuncturist whether they find it satisfying and worthwhile and you will receive an emphatic ‘Yes’.
Integrated acupuncture
Why study acupuncture here?
What our students say
Who chooses to study?
The profession
Where might I work?
What our Graduates say?
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"I love the teaching at CICM, it is varied, interesting and extremely inspiring and the teachers all have a wealth of experience to draw on.”
Keeley Farrington
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“CICM was suggested by an acupuncturist I know and recommended for its high-quality tuition and professional approach. I knew I wanted to explore a degree course and after my open day experience I knew it had to be CICM.”
Michelle Patrick
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"I recently joined CICM and there are so many things I love about the place. The teachers are genuinely helpful and want us to do well. The place has a calm, harmonic feel and studying has already had a tangible benefit to my lifestyle and health."
Erica Chen
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"I was an electrician before I started studying acupuncture. It might not seem like it but there are overlaps between them, you look at a circuit and work out where the problem is coming from and then rectify it. The difference is with acupuncture I’ll help people to get better!"
Jack Keeping
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"Since embarking on this course, I have been astounded every day by the passion that this subject has sparked in me. I realised very quickly that I was in the right place, doing the right thing. I can only describe it as finally finding my place in the universe and becoming part of something much bigger than myself."
Sally Connelly
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"I wanted to become an acupuncturist as I prefer to use natural remedies which are in line with my faith and cultural background. I have witnessed the profound effects treatment can have on patients. CICM has an excellent reputation and I love the whole package here, especially the staff and supportive teachers."
Bev Holder
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"I appreciated the integrated style of TCM and the five elements as being the most profound way to reach and help people. This was the best possible start to a long acupuncture career that I could possibly wish for."
Bethan Morgan
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"My years at CICM will always hold a special place in my mind. It was like entering Hogwarts. The subjects are mind-expanding, the teachers and tutors really passionate and always keen to answer questions and give guidance. It has transformed me as a person and changed the way I see people, emotions, relationships, disease and health."
Efthymios Fotenios
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The teachers are really supportive and make every effort to tailor how they teach to suit the different styles of students. I like to question things and look at things from different angles - and the teachers have always supported me by being there to answer things by email after class, recommend further reading, or even being there to support me when I set up a Chinese medicine society for the college.
Helen Reid
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The course covers a huge range of topics, angles and perspectives, and whilst so much of it is new, unfamiliar and challenging at times- especially the 'hands on practical aspects- I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing, or anywhere else I’d rather be doing it. CICM is a hub of connection, commitment and energy, and something I am honoured to be part of.
Ellie Farnfield
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All of my teachers are practicing therapists with a library of information and experience to reinforce their words and the lectures. I have gained a lot of insight into myself and I often find myself reflecting on what we learned in class and applying it to life. I am recommending the course to everyone I know!
Jacob Marley
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As I was in my late forties I was concerned that I was too old, however the Open Day dispelled any doubts that I had as the age range of students and staff spanned from 18 to 80. The beautiful building was a joy to explore and I felt immersed in the world of Chinese Medicine. It was a cocoon of learning in the heart of Reading and only ten minutes’ walk from the train station.
Samanthan Roderick
