Foundation Course

 

About the Foundation Course

These introductory courses last four days (two weekends, 3 or 4 weeks apart) making up 24 training hours. We run occasional 5-day weekday courses. See below for dates.

The Foundation Course is a mixture of lectures and practical group sessions. Group sizes are kept to a maximum of 12. In the initial stages of training the emphasis is on safety and all attendees will be observed by an experienced demonstrator to ensure a safe needling technique.

Lecturing teams are made up of experienced medical acupuncturists. The performance of lecturers and group leaders is critically assessed to maintain a high standard. Teaching on the Foundation Course is based on scientific explanations of acupuncture as far as possible, but it also involves some traditional Chinese concepts.

The normal course fee includes tuition, a set of detailed course notes, 100 needles, lunches and daytime refreshments throughout the two weekends. Courses are non-residential but a list of local hotels and guest houses can be supplied on request.

All Foundation and Intermediate courses are automatically approved for External CPD by the Royal Colleges. EPASS is applied for in Scotland.

Medical Students (4th and 5th year) can attend our Foundation Course. Student places are limited to one per course and there is a generous student discount.

Ladies: There is no evidence that acupuncture is harmful in pregnancy. If you are or suspect you may be pregnant, however, you should bring this to the attention of the teaching staff as it may affect how much needling you receive in the practical sessions.

 

The Foundation Course programme

Weekend one

Saturday 9am - 5.30pm

  • Overview & brief history

  • Safety brief

  • Lecture & practicals on neck, shoulder & arm

  • Trigger points

  • Safety questionnaire

Sunday 9am - 5pm

  • Lecture & practicals on lower back & leg

  • Neurophysiology

  • Clinical aspects

  • Clinical cases for discussion

  • Safety & side effects

 

Weekend two

Saturday 9am - 5pm

  • Traditional acupuncture

  • Lecture and practicals on face & abdomen

  • Segmental Acupuncture

  • Gynaecology & gastrointestinal disorders

  • ENT & respiratory

  • Dermatology

Sunday 9am - 5pm

  • Electroacupuncture - lecture & practical

  • Neurology & psychology

  • Ear acupuncture & addictions

  • Research & audit

  • Running a clinic

  • Quiz

  • Case presentations

 

Foundation Course dates and venues

Course Fees 2008

4 day (2 weekends) course - £540
5 day (Mon-Fri) course - £650

Dates and Venues 2008

YORK: City Hospital
Two weekends: 2-3 Feb & 1-2 March 2008

BRISTOL: Southmead Hospital
Two weekends: 9-10 Feb & 8-9 March 2008

LONDON (with special interest in Palliative medicine): Royal Marsden Hospital SW3 6JJ
Mon - Fri: 18-22 Feb 2008

EDINBURGH: Heriot Watt University
Mon - Fri: 31 March - 4 April 2008

WYBOSTON: Wyboston Lakes Conference Centre
Two weekends: 26-27 April & 24-25 May 2008

MANCHESTER: Wythenshawe Hospital
Two weekends: 10-11 May & 7-8 June 2008

DUBLIN: Tallaght Hospital
Two weekends: 14-15 June & 12-13 July 2008

GLASGOW: Gartnavel Hospital
Two weekends: 6-7 September & 4-5 October 2008

LONDON: ICH WC1N 1EH
Mon - Fri: 15-19 September 2008

BIRMINGHAM: City Hospital
Two weekends: 25-26 October & 22-23 November 2008

SLOUGH: Wexham Park Hospital
Two weekends: 1-2 November & 29-30 November 2008