Are you intrigued by the ancient practice of acupuncture but do not know how to start? Worry less! In this article, I will run you through the 15 best acupuncture courses for beginners.
Originating in ancient China over 2,500 years ago, acupuncture has a rich and colorful history steeped in tradition and innovation. Over time, it has evolved into a sophisticated healing art that promotes well-being and alleviates various health issues.
Acupuncture is also a rewarding career. The U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics records a median annual wage of $72,220 for acupuncturists.
That said, let us explore the courses!
You can find more advanced acupuncture courses in the article on 10 Best Acupuncturist Courses Online and Offline.
15 Best Acupuncture Courses for Beginners
Reflexology, Aromatherapy, and Acupuncture
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: It will take you 11 hours to complete it.
- Course fee: It costs £30.
- Course delivery: It is an online course.
- Course provider: It is a course by the Academy for Health and Fitness.
Reflexology, Aromatherapy, and Acupuncture is a 4-in-1 training bundle that covers three complementary therapies. The training provides you with the expertise needed to excel in these popular therapies.
In the course, you will explore the realm of acupressure points and their role in alleviating pain. You will also discover how to utilize essential oils for relaxation and revitalization in aromatherapy.
I recommend this course because it is well-paced. The tutors gradually take you from simple to more complex concepts.
You receive a CPD Quality Standards certificate once you complete the course.
For more information about the course, see Online Reflexology, Aromatherapy, and Acupuncture.
Medical Acupuncture Certificate
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: It takes only an hour to complete it.
- Course fee: It costs £12.
- Course delivery: It is an online course.
- Course provider: It is a Be-a.co.uk course.
Before you enter complex concepts in acupuncture, it helps to know what it is and how it originated. In this beginner course, you will learn all about that.
The course takes a step-by-step sequence. The first topic explains medical acupuncture and how it came about.
Next, the course provides a concise overview of the historical background of acupuncture. It also delves into its physiological mechanisms and offers in-depth insights into acupuncture needles.
In the later parts of the course, you will learn about the advantages of medical acupuncture and highlight some of its effects.
The course holds accreditation from the Centre of CPD Excellence.
For more information about the course, see Online Medical Acupuncture Certificate.
Acupuncture Essentials
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: It will take you 28 hours to complete it.
- Course fee: It costs £23.
- Course delivery: It is an online course.
- Course provider: It is a course by Course Line.
Acupuncture Essentials is a CPD-certified 3-course bundle. The three courses packaged in this bundle include the following:
- Course 1: Acupuncture Level 3 Advanced Diploma
- Course 2: Acupuncture Essentials: Your Path to Holistic Health
- Course 3: Acupuncture for Pain Relief and Well-Being
The course utilizes a comprehensive curriculum led by expert instructors. These instructors break down complex concepts into digestible bits.
Upon completion of the course, you gain a verifiable certificate. The course also offers networking opportunities, as you can join communities of fellow acupuncturists.
For more information about the course, see Online Acupuncture Essentials.
Acupuncture for Pain Relief
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: It takes 1.6 hours to complete it.
- Course fee: It costs £12.
- Course delivery: It is an online course.
- Course provider: It is a Learndrive course.
Pain relief is a fundamental aspect of acupuncture. Acupuncture for Pain Relief is a CPD-certified course that focuses on the impact of acupuncture on pain relief.
In the course, you will first learn the principles and origins of acupuncture. Next, the tutor assigned to you will teach you how to utilize meridians and acupressure points in relieving pain.
Your tutor will also help you understand the role of acupuncture in managing mental health problems. Another important topic you will learn about is the code of ethics guiding the practice of acupuncture.
The course consists of 11 sections and 16 lectures. You receive a certificate of completion once you exhaust the lecture modules.
For more information about the course, see Online Acupuncture for Pain Relief.
Everyday Chinese Medicine
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: It takes nine hours to complete it (three weeks at three hours a week).
- Course fee: It is a free course. However, you must pay to earn the certificate.
- Course delivery: It is an online course.
- Course provider: It is a course by the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Everyday Chinese Medicine is an educational course designed to promote awareness of the health benefits of Chinese Medicine. The course delves into the practical application and therapeutic approaches in Chinese Medicine, including acupuncture.
The course consists of five modules. The first module introduces the basic theory of Chinese Medicine.
The second module teaches about Zang-Fu organs concepts in Chinese Medicine. Later in the course, you will learn about Qi and its importance in Chinese Medicine.
Although this course does not focus solely on acupuncture, I included it in this article because it gives a general overview of Chinese Medicine (where acupuncture originated). Understanding Chinese medicine is crucial in the practice of acupuncture.
For more information about the course, see Everyday Chinese Medicine.
Medical Acupuncture and Treatment Training Course
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: It takes 4.5 hours to complete it.
- Course fee: It costs $11.99
- Course delivery: It is an online course.
- Course provider: It is a Udemy course created by Manik Miah.
The Medical Acupuncture and Treatment Training Course is designed to help you understand the practice of acupuncture. In the course, you will receive vital teachings on the principles and applications of acupuncture in modern healthcare.
The course consists of two sections. The first section explains anatomy and physiology, which are foundational topics in learning acupuncture.
The second section delves into the acupuncture practice proper.
While going through the reviews, I noticed some learners complained of a lack of demonstration. You should look out for that.
The only requirement for this course is a full-body massage diploma course certification.
For more information about the course, see Medical Acupuncture and Treatment Training Course.
See also: 10 Free Online Physiotherapy Courses with Certificates.
Practical Acupuncture – Immediate Pain Relief
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: It takes 2.5 hours to complete it.
- Course fee: It costs $79.99
- Course delivery: It is an online course.
- Course provider: It is a Udemy course created by Sergio Ferreira.
As the course title implies, this course focuses on practical acupuncture in pain management. This training course integrates the Balance Method and Master Tung’s Orthodox Acupuncture with Applied Channel Theory for effective pain treatment.
Through this course, you learn theoretical foundations, simplified diagnosis, point selection rationale, and needling techniques.
I appreciated the use of detailed videos for teaching, and analysis using real clinical cases. Upon completion of the course, you not only gain a certificate but also proficiency in distal acupuncture for immediate pain relief.
For more information about the course, see Practical Acupuncture – Immediate Pain Relief.
Understanding Acupuncture
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: It takes 2.5 hours to complete it.
- Course fee: It costs $22.99.
- Course delivery: It is an online course.
- Course provider: It is a Udemy course created by Jessica Kennedy.
If you have an interest in acupuncture but have zero knowledge about it, this course is for you. The course was also designed for acupuncture patients. As a result, the teaching is as simple as possible.
The course explores the experience of acupuncture, including identifying acupuncture points and channels. In this beginner course, you will also learn about diagnosis methods in Chinese Medicine.
The course includes a bonus lecture on the Five Elements: water, earth, fire, metal, and wood. You will understand how the balance of these elements promotes health and wellness.
From my research, I consider this one of the best acupuncture courses for beginners. It is very informative. The use of high-quality video made learning quite the experience.
For more information about the course, see Understanding Acupuncture.
Bisoma Acupuncture
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: It takes 4.5 hours to complete it.
- Course fee: It costs $124.99.
- Course delivery: It is an online course.
- Course provider: It is a Udemy course created by David Lee.
Bisoma acupuncture offers a straightforward approach to learning and applying techniques. It offers fast and enduring relief from pain, inflammation, and illness. It is a good course for beginners and seasoned acupuncturists.
In the course, you will learn about the two-set-treat-all protocol. It is a simple procedure that is easy to implement.
You will also learn about the five-element Horary points, including the benefits and techniques through case studies. The course includes an introductory bonus for terasoma acupuncture, which utilizes a four-needle technique.
For more information about the course, see Bisoma Acupuncture.
Chinese Acupuncture – The Jin Three-Needle Technique
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: It takes one hour to complete it.
- Course fee: It costs $11.99.
- Course delivery: It is an online course.
- Course provider: It is a Udemy course created by Tim Vukan.
The course consists of four sections, five lectures, and two downloadable resources. It explores the diverse application methods of the Jin three-needle technique.
It also explains point locations, point combinations, and their therapeutic functions. The tutor covers detailed treatment examples, along with Chinese language training focusing on medical terminology and pronunciation.
I researched the tutor, Tim Vukan. He is the founder of Wushan TCM. He is also one of the few foreigners with more than 20 years of educational experience directly in China.
If you want to learn acupuncture directly from China. I recommend this course.
For more information about the course, see Chinese Acupuncture – The Jin Three Needle Technique.
Weight Loss Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: It takes five hours to complete it.
- Course fee: It costs $12.99.
- Course delivery: It is an online course.
- Course provider: It is a Udemy course created by Woosen Ur.
It is quite interesting to learn about Chinese techniques for treating weight loss. In this course, you will explore obesity through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
You will also understand its causes from this perspective. You will learn how to diagnose and determine the specific patterns of obesity according to TCM principles.
The course will equip you with several skills, including acupuncture, electroacupuncture, auriculotherapy ( Ear acupuncture ), Chinese herbal medicine, therapeutic porridges, teas to lose weight, cupping, and moxibustion. All these have their unique contribution to the weight loss journey in TCM.
From my research, I discovered that other learners only had positive things to say about this course. For a course with 16 downloadable resources costing only $12.99, I think it is excellent value for money.
For more information about the course, see Weight Loss Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Acupuncture Course (Entry Level)
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: The CPD hours take two days.
- Course fee: It costs £635.
- Course delivery: It is a hybrid course (online modules and face-to-face training).
- Course provider: It is a Breeze Academy course.
Breeze Academy offers this entry-level acupuncture course approved by the Federation of Holistic Therapists. The course involves online modules and on-site training sessions.
The online training consists of five non-live modules. It prepares you for the two-day practical classes.
The practical workshop equips you with hands-on skills. In these sessions, you learn with case studies. This boosts your confidence in the practice of acupuncture.
The course assessment includes safety tests, theoretical case studies, and short MCQs. You receive a certificate when you complete the assessments.
Only health and wellness practitioners actively engaged in client interactions for at least 100 hours are eligible to take the course. Regulated healthcare professionals and sports therapists must undergo the foundation course as a prerequisite.
For more information about the course, see Acupuncture Entry Level Training.
Acupuncture Course for Beginners
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: It takes a minimum of 15 months to complete it.
- Course fee: Module 1 costs £900 while Module 2 costs £2,400.
- Course delivery: It is an on-site course.
- Course provider: It is a course by the Body Harmonics Centre.
Acupuncture Course for Beginners is a three-module course consisting of morning and afternoon sessions on specific days of the week. Module 1 consists of 11 contact days, while Module 2 consists of 22 contact days.
Both modules are compulsory for beginners. Module 3 is an optional advanced part of the course.
In module 1, you will gain a working understanding of TCM. You will also learn to locate 100 acupoints and use Tui Na with acupuncture.
Module 2 is more practical. It has more to do with learning using case studies.
Overall, the course structure looks good. The only disadvantage I observed is that it does not have an online option.
For more information about the course, see Acupuncture Course for Beginners.
The Healing and Acupuncture College (HAC) Course
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: It will take you 8-10 months to complete it.
- Course fee: The total cost is £4,695.
- Course delivery mode: It is a hybrid course.
- Course provider: It is a course prepared by The Healing and Acupuncture College.
The HAC Course is a fast-track acupuncture course that sets you on your way to an exciting career. It utilizes online learning and monthly on-site practical weekend classes to give you a wholesome learning experience.
The online course includes eight modules, which you can complete in 8-10 months. In the course, you have access to several online learning resources, including video, directed reading, assignments, and evaluations.
Most theoretical learning occurs online, while in-person sessions focus on hands-on practical skills like locating acupuncture points, needling techniques, diagnosis methods, clinical practice, and personal growth. Upon completion, you attain a qualification, enabling you to practice acupuncture safely and lawfully in the UK.
For more information about the course, see HAC Acupuncture Course.
Diploma in Acupuncture Pain Management with Reflexology and Aromatherapy
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: It takes five hours to complete it.
- Course fee: It costs £12.
- Course delivery: It is an online course.
- Course provider: It is a course by Learndrive.
In this CPDQE-accredited course, you will explore acupuncture principles and their therapeutic effect on pain. You will learn about Qi, Meridians, Yin, and Yang and how acupuncture unifies the body, mind, and spirit.
I consider this course a bridge between ancient traditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine. Once you take this course, you will also agree with me.
It is a 3-in-1 course as you also learn about reflexology and aromatherapy. It’s not all theory. You will receive practical lessons on identifying acupressure points and meridians and their importance in acupuncture.
For more information about the course, see Online Diploma in Acupuncture Pain Management with Reflexology and Aromatherapy.
FAQs On Best Acupuncture Courses for Beginners
How do you learn acupuncture?
Learning acupuncture involves a combination of academic study, practical training, and clinical experience. You must enroll in accredited acupuncture schools or programs where you can study traditional Chinese medicine theory, anatomy, physiology, and acupuncture techniques.
Is it hard to learn acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a demanding course. However, it is an intriguing practice, so enjoy the learning process.
Who can learn acupuncture?
Anyone with an interest in healthcare can learn acupuncture. However, you must complete a bachelor’s degree in a related field to enroll in an acupuncture program.
Conclusion
It always looks like a long and lonely road to learning a discipline from scratch. However, these beginner acupuncture courses I have provided will make your journey easier.
I advise you to look into each of them and select the one that best suits your financial strength and schedule. You receive a certificate when you complete these courses. The certificate can help you begin your practice as an acupuncturist. Best of luck!
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