International College of Acupuncture

International College of Acupuncture ICA Acupuncture Community. Professional development for qualified Five Element & TCM acupuncturists. Weekly mentorship with Michael Baker.
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Spring is here, and the energy is shifting.As Winter’s Yin quietly yields to the rising Yang of spring, the Wood Element...
03/04/2026

Spring is here, and the energy is shifting.

As Winter’s Yin quietly yields to the rising Yang of spring, the Wood Element comes into its power: driving growth, sharpening vision, and calling us to move forward.

Michael Baker shares his seasonal reflection this month – a timely reminder that the energy available to us right now is the same force pushing new shoots through solid ground.

Swipe through for his thoughts on how to work with the season, not against it.

🌿 Live Community Session – Finding Patients and Keeping Them.We are delighted to announce a brand-new addition to the IC...
26/03/2026

🌿 Live Community Session – Finding Patients and Keeping Them.

We are delighted to announce a brand-new addition to the ICA Acupuncture Community: a monthly professional practice series, delivered by Paul Adkins – Traditional Acupuncturist, founder of Facial Enhancement Acupuncture, and a practitioner with over two decades of experience building a thriving clinic in Cornwall. Paul will be joining us for an exclusive 45-minute live session on Sunday 29th March at 8 pm.

Finding Patients and Keeping Them
A 45-minute live discussion · exclusively for community members.

This session is an opportunity to hear directly from someone who has not only built a successful multi-practitioner clinic, but has trained acupuncturists in 40 countries to grow their own practices with Facial Enhancement Acupuncture. Paul brings a frank, encouraging and entirely practical perspective on what it actually takes to attract and retain patients in today’s landscape.

Whether you are just starting out or looking to strengthen an established practice, this is a session not to miss.

Join the ICA Acupuncture Community to attend – link in bio. 👉 Please sign up via a web browser (app sign-up isn’t available).

26/03/2026

What point would you reach for when a patient presents with headaches?

In this clip, Michael Baker – Five Element practitioner, Principal of the International College of Acupuncture, and Mentor of the ICA Acupuncture Community – shares his thinking on GB 1, ‘Orbit Bone’, and why it deserves a place in your headache toolkit.

This excerpt is taken from one of our live Q&A sessions inside the ICA Acupuncture Community, where Michael offered 26 points across all five elements for members to consider when approaching headaches and migraines – each one explored through a Five Element lens, with his full clinical rationale.

It’s exactly the kind of depth our community is built around: real clinical thinking, shared openly, with space to reflect and discuss. All of our live Q&A replays remain available to rewatch within the community.

The ICA Acupuncture Community brings together qualified Five Element and TCM acupuncturists. It’s independent of any single college or training path; what unites members is a shared commitment to deepening their practice. If you’d like to be part of conversations like this one, the link to join is in our bio.

Points discussed are intended for use by qualified acupuncturists only.

🌿 A word from one of our members…The leap from training into independent practice is one of the most exciting – and some...
14/03/2026

🌿 A word from one of our members…

The leap from training into independent practice is one of the most exciting – and sometimes daunting – steps in a practitioner's career. We're so proud that the ICA Acupuncture Community can be a source of support, connection, and inspiration during that transition and beyond.

We recently received this heartfelt testimonial from acupuncturist Yolima Alzate and wanted to share it with you. It captures so beautifully what we hope every member experiences: a network of experienced colleagues to turn to, a diversity of perspectives that enriches practice, and leadership committed to nurturing practitioners at every stage.

If you're not yet part of the community, we'd love to welcome you. 💚

📌 Learn more about ICA Acupuncture Community membership: https://ica-acupuncture-community.mn.co

Meet Michael Baker – Principal of the International College of Acupuncture, community mentor, and live Q&A host.Michael ...
13/03/2026

Meet Michael Baker – Principal of the International College of Acupuncture, community mentor, and live Q&A host.

Michael trained directly under the distinguished Professor J.R. Worsley and graduated from the College of Traditional Acupuncture in 1985. His relationship with traditional Chinese medicine began even earlier, with two cultural study tours of China in 1978 and 1980 that sparked a lifelong passion for the medicine and its roots.

Over more than 40 years in clinical practice, Michael has become known for the depth of knowledge he brings to every clinical encounter – and for his genuine commitment to passing it on. He served as head of first-year studies and senior clinical supervisor at the College of Traditional Acupuncture from 2005 to 2012, became Principal of the ICA in 2019, and is the author of A Chronological Journey Through Chinese Medical History on the Causes of Disease.

He is happiest when sharing his knowledge with others. In our live Q&A sessions, Michael offers members something rare: real, unhurried help from someone who has spent four decades asking what each patient truly needs.

Michael's approach is rooted in Five Element theory – a Chinese philosophy based on the observation of natural cycles and the interrelationships within us. Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. An approach that looks at the whole person, not just the presenting condition. And one that Michael has spent a lifetime studying, practising, and passing on.

If you're a qualified acupuncturist who wants that depth of mentorship behind you, we'd love to have you in the community.

Find out more via the link below.

🌺 March inside the ICA Acupuncture Community.For many practitioners, the clinical work feels natural. It's the business ...
11/03/2026

🌺 March inside the ICA Acupuncture Community.

For many practitioners, the clinical work feels natural. It's the business side that can feel uncertain, uncomfortable, or easy to put off. This month's Sunday Quick Wins focus on Business Confidence – small, practical actions to help you feel more in control and more assured in how you run your practice. Nothing overwhelming, just one step at a time.

On Wednesdays, our Deep Dives turn to the clinical. Following on from last week's exploration of 26 points for headaches and migraines, this month members have chosen back pain as their focus – four weeks of in-depth exploration rooted in Five Element tradition, including a live Q&A with traditional acupuncture expert Michael Baker, where members can join the discussion.

Two threads running through March. One for the business of practice, one for the heart of it.

If you're a qualified acupuncturist looking for a community that takes both seriously, we'd love to have you with us. Find out more via the link in the comments.

Looking back at February inside the ICA Acupuncture Community, our theme was Strengthen Your Brand.Four weeks. Four guid...
10/03/2026

Looking back at February inside the ICA Acupuncture Community, our theme was Strengthen Your Brand.

Four weeks. Four guided actions. Mid-week check-ins. And a community of qualified acupuncturists to keep each other on track.

Week 1: Your ‘About Me’ paragraph
Week 2: Your professional headshot
Week 3: Your free directory listings
Week 4: One testimonial request

This is what Sunday Quick Wins looks like every month — small, practical actions with structure and support built in.

This month, we’re focusing on Business Confidence. A new Quick Win lands every Sunday. Join us via the link in bio.

Thank you to acupuncturist Rachel Thorpe for this lovely review about our ICA Acupuncture Community. Membership is open ...
13/02/2026

Thank you to acupuncturist Rachel Thorpe for this lovely review about our ICA Acupuncture Community.

Membership is open to qualified traditional acupuncturists.

Join today for just £35 GBP per month – less than the cost of a single acupuncture treatment.

Visit https://ica-acupuncture-community.mn.co or click the link in our bio.

🌿 Pulse & Tongue Diagnosis CPD – In Person 🌿Join us for an in-depth CPD workshop exploring pulse and tongue diagnosis, a...
05/02/2026

🌿 Pulse & Tongue Diagnosis CPD – In Person 🌿

Join us for an in-depth CPD workshop exploring pulse and tongue diagnosis, and the relationship between these two classical diagnostic tools from a Five Element perspective.

This practical half-day workshop taught by ICA Principal, Michael Baker (pictured), supports practitioners in refining diagnostic clarity, recognising key patterns, and deepening confidence in clinical assessment.

📍 Cornwall – 28th February
📍 Oxfordshire – 14th March

Designed for qualified Traditional Acupuncturists seeking to enhance diagnostic skill and clinical insight.

🔗 Booking details via the link in bio
✨ ICA Acupuncture Community members receive 10% off selected in-person workshops

🌿First Aid Points CPD – In Person🌿Join us for a practical, hands-on CPD workshop exploring the use of acupuncture points...
05/02/2026

🌿First Aid Points CPD – In Person🌿

Join us for a practical, hands-on CPD workshop exploring the use of acupuncture points in First Aid situations, grounded in Five Element and TCM principles.

📍 Cornwall, UK – 28th February
📍 Oxfordshire, UK – 14th March

This workshop taught by ICA Principal, Michael Baker, focuses on points for immediate support – helping to stabilise and assist the patient while respecting the body’s alarm systems.

Designed for qualified Traditional Acupuncturists looking to deepen clinical confidence and practical application.

🔗 Booking details via the link in bio
✨ ICA Acupuncture Community members receive 10% off selected in-person workshops

🌙 Acupuncture for Sleep – Five Element Deep Dive 🌙This month in the ICA Acupuncture Community, we’re exploring sleep 💤Ou...
27/01/2026

🌙 Acupuncture for Sleep – Five Element Deep Dive 🌙

This month in the ICA Acupuncture Community, we’re exploring sleep 💤

Our community mentor, Michael Baker, experienced Five Element Acupuncturist, shares how to:

✨ Approach sleep from a Five Element perspective
✨ Ask the right questions to uncover elemental imbalances
✨ Align treatments to the patient’s Causative Factor

💡 As part of our ICA Acupuncture Community Deep Dive programme, Michael shares 24 points for sleep – 2 for each of the 12 Officials.

📍 Here on Instagram, we’re sharing 5 of those points for practitioners, with their Five Element rationale.

⚠️ For qualified acupuncturists only. Educational use – this does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

✨ Want all 24 points and Michael’s full approach to sleep?

👉 Join the ICA Acupuncture Community today! Click the link in our bio or visit our website to find out more.

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