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500 hours total learning (recommended completion within 18 months)
84 hours supervised face-to-face practical and theory (clinical setting)
Online learning, you can start any time (rolling programme; no set start dates
Includes training across classical points, auricular acupuncture, electroacupuncture, myofascial trigger points and cupping therapy
The Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Acupuncture is ideal for healthcare professionals or those in a health-related discipline who want to add acupuncture to their practice or change career paths and train as a medical acupuncturist.
You need to have a solid understanding of human anatomy and physiology. This will include doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, midwives, complementary medicine therapists, sports therapists, massage therapists, dentists and other health care professionals.
Perform structured clinical reasoning and build acupuncture treatment plans for common presentations
Needle with confidence: point location, depth/angle, safety, and technique (with supervised assessment)
Apply evidence-informed approaches across Western medical acupuncture and key TCM concepts
Use deqi and point specificity intentionally to match treatment goals (pain modulation, circulation, autonomic response, tissue healing)
Integrate extended skills where appropriate: electroacupuncture, auricular protocols, cupping, trigger points
Complete a clinical logbook and case studies and demonstrate competence via practical assessment and viva
You complete the theoretical component online at your own pace, then consolidate and get assessed through practical weekend workshops in our Nottingham clinic setting.
Practical resources included
Your curriculum includes a resource library with items such as consent forms, policies, treatment protocols, and other supporting documents.
Register early so you don't miss the workshops
These hands-on weekends are where you turn theory into confident clinical practice, with supervised needling, structured assessment frameworks, and real-world protocols you can use immediately in clinic.
May 16th - 17th 2026: 1. Focus: Safe needling foundations and point location. You’ll practise and master: • Reliable point location using anatomical landmarks (hands-on, step-by-step) • Clean needle technique, safety, contraindications, and clinical decision-making • Core needling skills: angle, depth, stimulation, and patient comfort.
June 13th - 14th 2026: 2. Focus: Clinical reasoning, treatment planning and myofascial trigger point introduction You’ll practise and master: • How to build effective acupuncture treatment plans (goals, point selection, dosage, progression) • Translating assessment findings into a structured, repeatable plan • Myofascial trigger points: identification, palpation, and integration with needling • Therapeutic massage (lower body): combining manual therapy and acupuncture in a coherent session
July 11th - 12th 2026: 3. Focus: Evidence-informed assessment and management for common MSK presentations You’ll practise and master: • Practical assessment frameworks (including red flags and clinical reasoning) • Selecting points and techniques for lower limb + spine-related presentations • Needle placement for key regions (lower back/hip, knee, ankle/foot, neck/shoulder) • Treatment progression across acute vs persistent pain presentations
August 15th - 16th 2026: 4. Focus: Upper limb assessment and management + supervised case-based practice You’ll practise and master: • Assessment and treatment approaches for upper limb pain and dysfunction • Region-specific needling strategies (shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist/hand) • Case presentation skills: clinical reasoning, documentation, and communication • Supervised practical sessions with real-world clinical decision-making
September 12th - 13th 2026: 5. Focus: Expanding your toolkit for pain modulation and tissue-based conditions You’ll practise and master: • Safe and effective cupping: indications, contraindications, dosing, and technique selection • Electroacupuncture fundamentals: parameters, safety, and clinical application • Integrating cupping/EA into treatment plans for MSK pain and recovery • Practical sessions emphasising confidence, safety, and clinical outcomes
October 18th - 19th 2026: 6. Focus: Ear acupuncture for rapid, practical clinical application and consolidation You’ll practise and master: • Auricular point location, ear anatomy, and treatment strategies • When and how to use auricular approaches alongside body acupuncture • Practical clinic-style sessions to consolidate skills and decision-making • Building complete sessions: assessment, treatment selection, aftercare
Steve D Bailey - Course Director
What clinicians say
The Foundation in Medical Acupuncture and Dry Needling is an 80-hour entry-level, MSK-focused course for healthcare professionals who are new to acupuncture. It blends a 3-day practical workshop with live Zoom teaching and online interactive lessons, with a strong emphasis on safe needling, core point location, and integrating trigger points/dry needling into everyday MSK practice. The Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Acupuncture is a more advanced, comprehensive qualification designed to prepare you for independent practice. It includes a minimum of 500 hours (typically completed within 18 months), extensive online study plus six supervised practical weekend workshops, broader clinical pathways, and added modalities such as cupping, electroacupuncture and auricular acupuncture, alongside deeper clinical reasoning and assessment.
There is no fixed time limit, but we encourage completion within 18 months of registration. The course consists of a minimum of 500 hours (excluding clinical observation), including approximately 84 hours supervised face-to-face and theoretical training, with the remainder made up of online work, case studies, reflective diaries, revision and logbook
A combination of continuous and summative assessment, including practical assessment/oral questioning, a health & safety test, practical needling assessments, coursework, a main case study (1500 words), reflective case studies, a clinical logbook, and practical point location assessment and viva.
All assessments must be passed. If you fail, you can retake, with feedback and additional support provided.
Yes, you are awarded a diploma once the examining board is satisfied with your competence. Graduates are recognised by the designatory letters Pg.Dip.Med.Ac.
If you're uncertain whether you qualify for the postgraduate diploma in medical acupuncture or need more details about which course suits you best, feel free to call us at 07908400834.
If you are unable to attend a workshop date, you may refer to another date.
Welcome and course terms and conditions
Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Acupuncture Course Overview
How to navigate through the course
Access to the course on your mobile
Course timetable
History of acupuncture and the five element theory
Introduction to Western medical acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine
History of acupuncture assessment
Health and safety issues in acupuncture
Needling technique and health and safety
Introduction to needling technique
Health and safety assessment
Local, segmental, and central response to acupuncture
Current understanding and mechanisms of acupuncture
Current understanding of the mechanism of acupuncture assessment
Meridians and the principles of acupuncture point selection
Main meridians and their pathway
Meridian assessment
How to locate acupuncture points
How to locate acupuncture points
Meridians and principal of point selection assessment
Commonly used point along the Stomach meridian
Commonly used point along the Spleen meridian
Commonly used point along the Gall Bladder meridian
Commonly used point along the Liver meridian
Commonly used point along the Lung and Large Intestine meridians
Commonly used point along the Heart and Small Intestine meridians
Commonly used point along the Pericardium and Sanjioa meridians
Commonly used point along the Kidney meridian
Commonly used point along the Urinary Bladder meridian
