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The Professional Certificate in Integrative Modern Acupuncture is a 10‑month part‑time, practice‑oriented course designed for registered physiotherapists who wish to integrate modern acupuncture safely and effectively into clinical practice. This course focuses on modern acupuncture grounded in neurophysiology, pain science, and contemporary biomedical evidence, equipping students with a clear and clinically relevant understanding on the mechanisms, clinical reasoning and evidence-informed practice. It also includes introductory sessions on TCM acupuncture meridian theories to provide students with a basic contextual understanding of traditional acupuncture concepts while maintaining the primary emphasis on modern acpuncture principles. Through structured lectures, hands‑on skills workshops, case‑based learning, and a supervised clinical practicum in a hospital in Chinese Mainland, students will gain comprehensive exposure to modern acupuncture applications, including dry needling, electro‑acupuncture and auricular acupuncture. The course emphasises safety, legal and ethical frameworks, and risk management to support safe and professional acupuncture practice in physiotherapy settings.
The aim of the proposed course is to equip Registered Physiotherapists with the knowledge, skills, and clinical reasoning for safe and effective applications of modern acupuncture techniques in various patient populations.
Upon successful completion of the this course, students will be able to:
The course is open to: All registered physiotherapists, or Individuals with a qualification that allows them to practise as a physiotherapist.
Lecture and Practical Sessions
Major Topics:
Clinical Practicum
A one-week intensive clinical practicum on acupuncture training in a hospital in Chinese Mainland (Greater Bay Area)
Lecture and Practical Sessions
Contents | Lecture/ Tutorial hours | Practical Sessions hours | Self-study hours |
|---|---|---|---|
Total | 66 | 36 | 204 |
1. Modern acupuncture theories
• Introduction of modern acupuncture • Theories include neurobiological foundations, neuro-endocrine and central integration, neuro-immune pathways and inflammation regulation • Evidence-based approach and clinical practice | 12 | 24 | |
2. Traditional Chinese Medicine meridian theories
• Introduction of the meridians and collaterals | 12 | 24 | |
3. Dry needling theories and clinical applications | 3 | 6 | |
4. Electro-acupuncture & auricular acupuncture | 3 | 6 | |
5. Legal framework, safety & risk management, documentation
| 3 | 6 | |
6. Acupuncture points that required cautions | 3 | 6 | |
7. Acupuncture techniques on upper and lower limbs
• Relevant anatomical considerations • Practice on commonly adopted acupoints | 9 | 9 | 36 |
8. Acupuncture techniques on spinal region
• Relevant anatomical considerations • Practice on commonly adopted acupoints | 6 | 6 | 24 |
9. Acupuncture techniques on head and face regions
• Relevant anatomical considerations • Practice on commonly adopted acupoints | 3 | 3 | 12 |
10. Clinical protocols and practice for musculoskeletal conditions on upper limb and lower limb
• Acupoint selection and needling techniques | 3 | 6 | 18 |
11. Clinical protocols and practice for musculoskeletal conditions in spinal region, head and face regions
• Acupoint selection and needling techniques | 3 | 6 | 18 |
12. Clinical protocols and practice for clinical neurological conditions
• Acupoint selection and needling techniques | 3 | 6 | 18 |
13. Revision on integrative modern acupuncture from physiotherapy perspectives | 3 | 6 |
Clinical Practicum
A one-week intensive clinical practicum on acupuncture training in Foshan Hospital (TBC)
Content | Venue | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|
A one-week intensive clinical practicum on acupuncture training that includes:
• supervised observation of acupuncture sessions in diverse physiotherapy settings • hands-on acupuncture application • case management sharing and discussion | Foshan Hospital
(TBC)
| 35 |
The course assessment consists of three continuous assessment components: written test(s), practical test(s), and a group presentation. Students must achieve a minimum of 50% in each assessment component to obtain a “Pass” grade for the course.
Students who fulfill the attendance requirements (80% for lecture/practical sessions and 100% for clinical practicum) and successfully pass all assessments will be awarded a “Professional Certificate of Completion”, issued by the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, HKMU.
| Course Information | ||
|---|---|---|
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Programme Mode |
Face-to-face |
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Medium of Instruction |
Chinese supplemented with English |
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Duration of Study |
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10 months (inclusive of a One-Week Intensive Clinical Practicum in Acupuncture Training) |
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Tuition Fee |
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Non‑HKMU alumni: HK$30,000
HKMU alumni: HK$25,000 |
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Tentative Schedule |
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Wednesday evenings and occasionally Saturdays from Sept 2026 to May 2027, excluding public holidays. Detailed schedule will be confirmed 1 month prior to course commencement Clinical placement will happen between June and Aug 2027 (to be confirmed). |
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| Course Information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Programme Mode |
Face-to-face |
|
|
Medium of Instruction |
Chinese supplemented with English |
|
|
Duration of Study |
||
|
10 months (inclusive of a One-Week Intensive Clinical Practicum in Acupuncture Training) |
||
|
Tuition Fee |
||
|
Non‑HKMU alumni: HK$30,000
HKMU alumni: HK$25,000 |
||
|
Courses & Hours |
Total study hours: 341 hours
Lectures & tutorials: 66 hours Practical sessions: 36 hours Clinical practicum: 35 hours Self‑study: 204 hours |
|
Contact person: Ms Natalie Cheng (Assistant Academic Support Officer / Department of Physiotherapy / School of Nursing and Health Sciences)
Tel: 3970 2927
Email: pt@hkmu.edu.hk
