ABVA EQUINE ACUPUNCTURE INTRODUCTION
6 - 8 October 2025 (in person days)
In person teaching location: The Horse Trust, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire HP27 0PP
Presented by Dietrich G von Schweinitz
Price: Existing ABVA members £1200
Non-members £1300
This course is worth 28 CPD hours
Online preparatory course in neurophysiology and acupuncture principles presented by Dr Mike Cummings. (Please note: modules must be completed prior to attending the in-person teaching.)
3 face-to-face days with lab and demos presented by Dr Dietrich von Schweinitz
Taught by internationally recognised lecturers with a wealth of acupuncture experience
Learn how to practice acupuncture safely in practice
Hands-on practical sessions in palpation and point-finding
Hybrid teaching allows time for learning and reading before in-person sessions
The first step towards ABVA Certification
One year membership to ABVA included in the course fees
The ABVA Foundation Courses are primarily a practical one for veterinary surgeons who are new to acupuncture or those who wish to refresh their knowledge. The information we give you stands firmly on a Western clinical diagnosis and an understanding of acupuncture’s neurophysiological mechanisms; but to broaden your experience we would like to introduce you to some of the historical and traditional concepts from which this ancient form of medicine evolved. This is just the beginning of this fascinating subject.
The Equine Foundation Course follows the following format:
online lectures provide an introduction to the neurophysiology of acupuncture, the principles of acupunucture point selection, myofascial trigger points and current relevant research.
in-person teaching over theree days provides a foundation level in veterinary acupunture, the approach to clinical cases and the practicalities of needling patients.
COURSE LECTURERS
Dr Mike Cummings
Mike has been Medical Director of the British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS) since 2001. This role involves running the BMAS London Teaching Clinic (LTC), developing and running BMAS courses in Western medical acupuncture, acting as an associate editor for the Medline-listed journal Acupuncture in Medicine, and representing the BMAS at academic and political meetings.
He is an Honorary Clinical Specialist at the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine, which is part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where he supports acupuncture services.
His principal academic and clinical interests are musculoskeletal pain, and in particular, needling therapies in the treatment of myofascial pain syndromes. He has published several papers in this area as well as in the broader field of Western medical acupuncture.
Dietrich Graf von Schweinitz BSc DVM MRCVS CertVetAc
Dietrich is our main lecturer and course organiser. He graduated form the University of Georgia in 1982 and has been practising acupuncture for over thirty years. He is a past member of the Board of Directors and Education Committee for the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and is also a past president of the ABVA. He has carried out and published pioneering research in equine acupuncture.
Pre-Course Preparation: Before attending the Equine Introduction Course, it is highly recommended to review your knowledge of musculoskeletal anatomy and the autonomic nervous system. Lists for further reading can be provided on request.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PRACTICAL SESSIONS USE LIVE ANIMALS FOR ACUPUNCTURE POINT LOCATION ONLY. FOR ETHICAL REASONS DELEGATES WILL NOT BE PLACING NEEDLES INTO LIVE ANIMALS. WE ENDEAVOUR TO PROVIDE CASES FOR ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT DEMONSTRATION BUT THESE ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY.
(All online modules must be completed prior to attending the in-person teaching)
Limited to 16 students: suitable for 1st timer and as a refresher
ABVA
www.abva.co.uk