Acupuncture & Tuina (Chinese Medical Massage) Training in London
Fast Facts
Key course details at a glance
3 years (degree-equivalent)
Licentiate in Acupuncture + Certificate in Tuina
Friday, 2 Oct 2026
1 in-person day + structured home study
Miller’s Way Project, Shepherd’s Bush, London W6 + student clinic at Yi Dao Clinic, West Hampstead
Working towards BAAB/BAcC accreditation
£7,500 per year, with a free application, £500 deposit and full or termly payment options
Tuina is Chinese medical massage — a sophisticated system of hand techniques which complements acupuncture, but is an effective therapy in its own right.
- Most acupuncture courses treat Tuina as optional. We teach it as core — because it makes you a better practitioner.
- Tuina develops the sensitivity of touch that makes acupuncture more precise — the two skills reinforce each other from the very first session.
- In classical Chinese medicine, bodywork and needling were never separated — teaching them together means you graduate with two clinical tools.
- You will be better placed to respond to what more patients need.
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Root & Branch College: Acupuncture & Tuina Training
Founded in 2025 by Conny and Zarig Cooper, the Root & Branch College offers degree-level training in Chinese Medicine grounded in the classical and tangible tradition and adapted to modern clinical practice in the UK.
We are a small, clinically focused college dedicated to developing skilled, confident practitioners through rigorous training and close teaching.
Upcoming Open Evenings
Visit an open evening at Root & Branch College
Meet the team, ask questions and find out whether Root & Branch College is the right fit for you.
WHAT WE OFFER: 3-Year Acupuncture & Tuina Course (Degree-Equivalent)
A three-year
programme
A structured, degree-equivalent course guiding students from beginner to confident, practice-ready practitioner.
Dual award in Acupuncture and Tuina (Chinese bodywork)
Two qualifications awarded in acupuncture and Tuina (Chinese bodywork), as they are both taught from the beginning in one single clinical system.
Clinical
Training
Strong emphasis on practical skill development, clinical reasoning, and real-world application.
Degree-equivalent training, working towards accreditation by the BAAB/BAcC
Rigorous training designed to meet professional standards and prepare graduates for clinical practice.
How the Acupuncture & Tuina Course Works (Blended Learning)
Programme structure
The course is delivered over three years, providing a structured progression from foundational study to confident, practice-ready clinical work.
In-person learning
Students attend college one day per week for hands-on clinical training, including practical skills, supervised practice, and close teaching.
Structured Online study
Theoretical study is completed online through pre-recorded lectures by Andrew Nugent-Head, focusing on classical, pre-TCM Chinese Medicine.
This blended structure ensures that in-person teaching time is dedicated to developing tangible clinical skill, while theoretical study provides a strong and coherent foundation.
WHY
Why Root & Branch College (Small Cohorts, Tangible Training, Clinical Focus)
Cohort size & supervision
Our intake is intentionally limited to support hands-on training, close observation, and meaningful feedback. Small cohorts allow us to maintain high standards of teaching and supervision throughout the course.
Classical Foundations, Modern Practice
Teaching is rooted in the classical foundations of Chinese Medicine and informed by contemporary clinical practice, ensuring depth of understanding alongside practical relevance.
Academic Lineage & Accreditation Pathway (ATS + BAAB/BAcC)
Our academic foundation is shaped by the work of Andrew Nugent-Head and the Association for Traditional Studies, giving students access to a rigorous classical perspective taught within a modern training programme.
