Foundation in Podiatric Medical Acupuncture

At a glance:

  • £655 (see payment options at checkout)

  • 94 lessons • 15 hours video content

  • Blended learning: practical workshop, live Zoom lessons and online interactive lessons

Outcomes

What you’ll be able to do after the Foundation in Podiatric Acupuncture Course

  • Describe the historical development of acupuncture, meridian theory and classical five-element theory, and relate these concepts to modern podiatric practice.

  • Understand indications and contraindications for manual acupuncture

  • Apply evidence-based clinical reasoning to formulate and justify acupuncture treatment plans for conditions including lateral ankle pain, hallux disorders, heel pain, plantar plate syndrome, cuboid syndrome.

  • Select and accurately locate acupuncture points and myofascial trigger points for lower-limb musculoskeletal disorders affecting the foot, ankle, knee and related structures.

  • Explain myofascial pain and its management, including the role of myofascial trigger points, dry needling and relevant classical acupuncture points.

  • Describe selected meridian pathways, point functions, diagnosis and pathology relevant to the lower limb and associated musculoskeletal presentations.

  • Explain the local, segmental and central physiological effects of acupuncture in pain management

  • Critically appraise acupuncture evidence, reflect on clinical outcomes and use case-based learning to improve personal practice.

  • Recognise red flags and emergency conditions requiring referral to, or consultation with, other healthcare providers.

Who is the course for?

Designed for MSK podiatrists

This Foundation in Podiatric Acupuncture course is designed for podiatrists wanting to extend their scope of practice in MSK. 

Accreditation: The course is accredited by the CPD Standards Office. 

Course recognition: Once you’ve finished the course, healthcare professionals may register with the British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS). 

Entry requirements:

  • You must hold current malpractice / professional liability insurance that covers acupuncture. 
  • This course is not suitable during pregnancy because protecting the well-being of both mother and foetus is paramount. If you are pregnant, you must disclose this at the start of the course so that you are not needled at acupoints that could affect the foetus. 

Register Now

Improve your clinical skills and generate more income

Get started now

How the course works

This course is designed to fit around clinical work and gives you a clear pathway from fundamentals to practical application.

Your learning includes:

  • Live Zoom pre-course lessons (including health and safety, point location and treatment planning) 
  • Online learning covering: introduction to acupuncture, mechanisms, meridians and point selection, and trigger points 
  • A practical workshop at your chosen location (dates below), plus a live Zoom introduction shortly before the workshop in each location 

Resources you’ll receive
 A practical resource library is included (e.g., consent form, acupuncture policy, insurance info, clinical reasoning model, evaluation forms). 

Choose your workshop location

Each workshop option includes a live Zoom introduction shortly beforehand (see dates below).

Nottingham

13–15 November 2026

Scotland

21-22 November 2026

London

19-21 February 2027

Course price: £655 (payment options available at checkout).

You can pay in full or you can spread your payment over 4 months

Instructor(s)

Principle Lecture Steve Bailey

Steve Bailey is an experienced clinician, educator and researcher in medical acupuncture and musculoskeletal (MSK) medicine, with a career spanning private practice, postgraduate teaching and healthcare CPD delivery. He holds an MSc in Acupuncture, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, and an MSc in lower limb biomechanics. Steve previously served as Director of BP Orthotics LTD, where the company supplied orthotic devices to both NHS and private practitioners and offered comprehensive training in lower limb biomechanics, prescription writing, and orthotics management. He currently operates a successful clinical practice in Nottingham, providing podiatry, physiotherapy, and acupuncture services. His areas of expertise include sports injuries, lower limb biomechanics, low back and lower limb disorders, as well as the application of acupuncture to enhance athletic performance and recovery. As an educator, Steve is the founder of Steve Bailey Acupuncture CPD Training, providing online and face-to-face international training in medical acupuncture for healthcare professionals. He has also taught on postgraduate programmes at Coventry University and previously delivered foundation and advanced acupuncture training for the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP). Steve’s teaching is strongly evidence-based and clinically applied, emphasising safe practice, clinical reasoning, point selection, needling technique, electroacupuncture, and outcome-driven treatment planning. He is widely published in sports and MSK acupuncture, including systematic reviews and clinically focused papers, and has delivered keynote and conference presentations on acupuncture and performance-related topics.

Testimonials

What therapists say

5 star rating

Podiatric medical acupuncture level 1

Susan Smith

Very detailed and interesting course. The lectures were diverse and covered a wide area which was good as the students were from a multidisciplinary backgrou...

Read More

Very detailed and interesting course. The lectures were diverse and covered a wide area which was good as the students were from a multidisciplinary background, A lot of reading is required prior to any practical work so it is worthwhile setting time aside to do your research.

Read Less
5 star rating

Acupuncture and what I think of S Baily's course

Patricia Mason

An excellent flexible and manageable way to develop new skills for practice and enhanced therapy skills for patient interventions

An excellent flexible and manageable way to develop new skills for practice and enhanced therapy skills for patient interventions

Read Less

FAQ

  • What’s included in the learning format?

    A blended programme with workshop training, Zoom lessons, and online interactive lessons.

  • Do I need insurance?

    Yes, candidates must hold current malpractice/professional liability insurance that covers acupuncture.

  • Can I take the course if I’m pregnant?

    This course is not suitable for pregnant students due to safety considerations and the practical component. If you were to attend the course, you would need to inform your course tutor and ensure that you are not needled at key points during the course, as this may affect the foetus.

  • Is there a professional recognition route?

    After finishing the course, healthcare professionals may register with the British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS),

  • What can I do after the Foundation?

    Progression pathway: Foundation to Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Acupuncture or specialist pathways (e.g., Postgraduate Certificate in Acupuncture for women’s health, Postgraduate Certificate in Acupuncture for sport injuries and performance enhancement, electroacupuncture, auricular).

Watch Intro Video

Video

Introduction to medical acupuncture needling technique

Course curriculum

    1. How to navigate through the course

    2. Access the course on your tablet or mobile

    3. Introduction to the course, course time table and overview

    1. History of acupuncture and the Five Elements

    2. Foundations of Acupuncture for Musculoskeletal Practice: History, Theory and Clinical Principles

    3. History of acupuncture questionnaire

    1. Needling technique and health and safety

    2. Health and safety

    3. Introduction to needling technique

    4. Health and safety questionnaire

    1. Local, segmental, and central response to acupuncture

    2. Current understanding and mechanisms of acupuncture

    3. Local, segmental and central response to acupuncture

    1. Introduction to Myfascial ‘Trigger Point’ Therapy

    2. Introduction to myofascial trigger points

    3. Types of TrPs

    4. Assessment and treatment of MTrPs

    5. Myofascial trigger points

    1. Meridians and principles of acupuncture point selection

    2. Meridians and principle of point selection

    3. How to locate acupuncture points

    4. How to formulate an acupuncture treatment plan

    5. Commonly used point along the Stomach meridian

    6. Commonly used points along the Spleen meridian

    7. Commonly used points along the Gall Bladder meridian

    8. Commonly used points along the Liver meridian

    9. Commonly used points on the Kidney meridian

    10. Commonly used points along the Urinary Bladder meridian

About this course

  • £655.00
  • 93 lessons
  • 15 hours of video content