Five Element Acupuncture Program
Build Confidence, Gain Tools, Achieve Results
September 2025-April 2026
Registration for the Autumn 2025–Spring 2026 Cohort Is Now Open—Join Us to Elevate Your Practice!
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
This in-depth program will enhance your proficiency in diagnosing and treating based on five-element constitutional types, ensuring you develop a deeper and more nuanced approach to patient care.
Scroll down to see the complete curriculum
24 Hours of On-Demand Classes
100% online, allowing you to study at your own pace and revisit key lessons anytime.
26 Hours of Interactive Sessions
Live virtual workshops with our expert teachers, plus recorded replays so you’ll never miss a session.
Comprehensive Handouts
Downloadable materials to support your practice, guide your learning, and reinforce your understanding.
International Certificate of Completion + CEUs
Gain a recognized credential that enhances your professional profile and confidence in your clinical skills.
By mastering Five-Element Acupuncture, you'll refine your diagnostic precision and elevate patient outcomes—leading to more effective treatments, happier patients, and a thriving practice.
Journey of Knowledge
Move beyond the theoretical and learn to use Five Element Acupuncture principles in practical, everyday treatments.
- Gain a richer perspective on the principles that shape your practice.
- Get comfortable spotting each elemental type and what makes it distinct.
- Adjust your treatments so they truly fit each patient’s unique makeup.
- Build practical, hands-on skills you’ll rely on every day.
- Adopt a more complete, whole-person view of healing.
Competence and Skills
Turn your insights into effective, everyday clinical work.
- Diagnose patients with more accuracy.
- Add Five Element acupuncture into the flow of your current TCM practice.
- Offer a greater range of treatment options that genuinely serve your patients.
- Confidently handle tricky cases—like aggressive energy, husband/wife imbalances, dragons, and entry/exit blocks.
- Give proper attention to each patient’s emotional and spiritual needs, not just their symptoms.
Registration for the Autumn 25-Spring 26 Cohort Is Now Open!
$2,359
Begin Your Advanced Five Element Acupuncture Journey Today
Interested, but need more flexibility with payments? Get in touch with us, and we’ll gladly arrange a plan that fits your budget and schedule.
Secure Your Early Bird Spot for the 2025 Cohort
Registration for the 2025 cohort will open soon
Don’t miss out on joining the 2025 cohort of the Five-Element Acupuncture Program. Leave your details below, to receive an exclusive early registration price for the upcoming cohort as soon as details and registration are available.
Learn from the World’s Leading 5 Element Teachers
Peter Mole
Experienced practitioner | Dean of the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine | Acupuncture teacher and author | Has been practising acupuncture since 1978
An esteemed acupuncture practitioner since 1978, Peter Mole is not only the Dean of the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine but also a renowned author and teacher. His approach uniquely integrates Five Element Constitutional style with TCM, focusing on the interplay of emotions in physical and psychological health. Peter’s deep roots in acupuncture began after studying Modern History at Oxford and training under JR Worsley. He’s recognized for his contributions to acupuncture literature, including the co-authored textbook “Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture” and his public-oriented book “Acupuncture for Body, Mind and Spirit.”
Danny Blyth
Expert in Five Element Acupuncture | Educator at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine since 2001 | Specialized in Paediatric Acupuncture and Tai Chi Chuan teaching
Danny Blyth’s expertise in Five Element Acupuncture is complemented by his extensive knowledge in TCM and Chinese Herbal Medicine, honed at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine. His practice is enriched by the ‘five element skills’ techniques of John Hicks and TCM skills from clinical training. Danny’s passion extends to the Classics, point names, and Chinese Medical translations, adding depth to his treatments, which often include paediatric acupuncture. As an educator at CICM since 2001 and a practitioner in Cheltenham, UK, Danny also imparts his knowledge in tai chi, qi gong, and meditation, holding a level seven teaching certificate in Practical Tai Chi Chuan.
WHAT STUDENTS SAY ABOUT THE TEACHERS
Program Info
Enhance Your Practice with the Five Element Acupuncture Program
Overview:
Embark on an immersive journey to integrate the profound principles of Five Element Acupuncture into your existing practice. By the end of this program, you will master the art of diagnosing and treating patients based on the elemental types, using key indicators like color, sound, emotion, and odor.
Curriculum Breakdown:
- Foundations: Dive into the history and nuances of Five Element Acupuncture, exploring how it diverges from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Gain a solid understanding of the elemental types and their significance in patient care.
- Elements: Examine each of the Five Elements in detail, understanding their characteristics and how they manifest in patients.
- Practical Diagnosis: Engage in practical sessions to enhance your skills in rapport building, emotional observation, and diagnosing using sensory cues. Delve into the concept of ‘blocks to treatment’ like aggressive energy and entry/exit blocks, and learn how to address these effectively.
- Point Perspective: Analyze acupuncture points from a Five Element viewpoint, contrasting this approach with TCM and focusing on spirit-level treatments.
- Real-World Application: Review case histories and engage in Q&A sessions to solidify your learning and apply it in practical settings.
Interactive Learning Experience:
The program includes over 24 hours of pre-taped classes, supplemented by 8 live Zoom meetings (2-4 hours each), ensuring a comprehensive understanding through interactive training and direct responses to your queries.
Access and Flexibility:
Participate in live classes from anywhere via Zoom. All sessions will be recorded for your convenience, allowing you to revisit the material as needed.
Prepare to transform your acupuncture practice with this in-depth Five Element Acupuncture program, designed for both theoretical knowledge and practical application.
✅ One of the program’s greatest features is the live training in the system’s diagnostic and therapeutic ways.
Those sessions will include group discussions, exercises, demonstrations, activities in breakout rooms, and practical homework assignments between lectures.
Dates and Times
- Housekeeping - 30-60 minutes. Date to be announced
- First Live Meeting, September 21st 2025 -3 hrs
- Second Live Meeting, October 5 2025 -3 hrs
- Third Live Meeting, November 23 2025 - 4 hrs
- Fourth Live Meeting, December 7th 2025- 4 hrs
- Fifth Live Meeting, January 18th 2026 - 4 hrs
- Sixth Live Meeting, February 15h 2026 - 2 hrs
- Seventh Meeting, March 15th 2026 - 2 hrs
- Last Live Meeting, April 26th 2026 - 4 hrs
THE COMPLETE CURRICULUM
A live meeting with the program coordinator to review practicalities and requirements and clarify everything to do with CEUs & the website.
Introduction and meeting the speakers and participants
5 Elements/TCM Differences
Intro to the concept of CF
5 Element Resonance
Importance of Spirit and Emotions
Fire Element
Earth Element
Metal Element
Water Element
Wood Element
Intro to Officials
Fire Official
Earth Official
Metal Official
Water Official
Wood Official
In this session, we explore the diagnostic process in five element acupuncture, contrasting it with the ten questions and eight principles of TCM.
We emphasize the development of our observational skills and senses to prepare for the practical aspect of the course and we also highlight the importance of establishing rapport in the treatment room, providing techniques to enhance it. Additionally, we cover how to evoke emotions in patients, when to encourage emotional expression, and how to assess emotional flow for diagnosis. Furthermore, we thoroughly examine the concept of joy, its equilibrium, and its relation to the ‘three principles’ and ‘five responses’ during small group practice sessions.
In the second part of this session, we focus on sympathy, understanding, and support, exploring their connection to the earth element and their role in addressing worry and overthinking. We practice delivering these emotions to patients and assessing their balance. We also consider our own emotional state for optimal patient care. Lastly, we explore facial color diagnosis based on the ‘five colors’ in five element acupuncture and its historical significance.
This session includes brief lectures, group discussions, exercises, demonstrations, activities in breakout rooms, and practical homework assignments between lectures.
In this Live class, we explore anger’s connection to the wood element, its purpose, manifestations, bodily sensations, and its full range from rage to depression. We delve into the framework of anger and its practical application. We practice observing anger’s flow and assessing its balance or imbalance through the five responses.
In the second part of this session, we investigate how emotions manifest on our faces, including emotional “leaks” and how chronic emotions can leave their mark. We explore recognizing “partial” emotional expressions on a patient’s face and how they resonate with our own facial experiences. We then delve into the emotions of the metal element, grief/sorrow, and respect/awe, understanding their functions, structures, and bodily sensations.
We also discuss when to observe emotions and when to elicit them in patients. Additionally, we examine the use of odors in diagnosis, acknowledging its challenges and strategies for improvement in clinical settings.
This session comprises concise lectures, group discussions, exercises, demonstrations, activities in breakout rooms, and practical homework assignments to be completed between lectures.
In this session, we explore diagnosing based on the ‘five sounds’ in five element acupuncture and recognizing these sounds. Emphasis is placed on listening to both the content and the tonality of our patients’ voices.
Additionally, we address fear, its function, structure, and bodily sensations. We practice assessing the flow of fear and its balance or imbalance in patients while underscoring the importance of being in an ‘aligned state’ when observing emotions.
In the second part of this session, we review our learnings, including the observation and elicitation of the seven emotions and building rapport in treatment rooms. Utilizing ‘slow motion emotion testing,’ we demonstrate these techniques, address questions, overcome challenges, and break the process down into manageable stages. Furthermore, we focus on creating opportunities and enhancing our ‘delivery’ to improve emotion testing. This session provides an opportunity for questions, demonstrations, and the consolidation of skills acquired thus far.
Throughout the session, you can expect concise lectures, group discussions, exercises, demonstrations, activities in breakout rooms, and practical homework assignments to complete between lectures.
Pulses
Qi Transfers
Chinese Clock
Treatment blocks and present two important ones, Aggressive energy and Husband/Wife imbalance.
Also common treatment reactions will be discussed.
Entry-Exit blocks and possession.
Entry-exit blocks are based on the flow of Qi in the channels and organs as a circuit. The Entry-Exit points are the points connecting these channels and therefore are applied to clear blockages in the flow.
When talking about possession, the concept in Five Elements Acupuncture, includes physical as well as emotional causes and symptoms. We take a look at two special treatments called Internal and External Dragons and how to apply them.
INTRO TO POINTS
Points Overview
Kidney chest points
Outer back shu points
Windows of Heaven
POINTS ON EACH CHANNEL
Intro to Spirit points
Heart, Small intestine points
Spleen, Stomach points
Lung, Large intestine points
Kidney, Bladder points
Liver, Gallbladder points
Pericardium, San jiao points
Needling and Moxa
Treatment Planing
You will be learning
Knowledge and Understanding:
Enhanced Chinese Medicine Knowledge: Deepen your understanding of Chinese Medicine history, particularly its roots in the five elements, gaining insights that enrich your overall practice.
Distinguish TCM and Five Element Acupuncture: Explore the distinctions between Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Five Element Acupuncture, providing you with a comprehensive perspective on different acupuncture styles.
Comprehensive Elemental Proficiency: Develop a profound knowledge of each elemental type, allowing you to tailor your treatments to match the specific elemental constitution of your patients.
Practical Clinical Application: Enhance your practical skills by studying real case histories, offering you valuable insights into applying five element acupuncture in real-world clinical scenarios.
Diagnostic and Treatment Skills:
Master Elemental Diagnosis: Gain the ability to recognize each of the five elemental constitutional types, enabling you to diagnose patients effectively using the five elements’ principles.
Integrate Five Element Treatment: Learn to seamlessly integrate five element acupuncture into your existing TCM practice, expanding your treatment options and enhancing patient care.
Address Blocks to Treatment: Identify and address common blocks to effective treatment, such as aggressive energy, husband/wife imbalances, dragons, and entry/exit blocks, to provide more comprehensive care to your patients.
Utilize Spirit and Emotion: Understand the importance of spirit and emotion in Western patients and how to incorporate this awareness into your acupuncture practice for a more holistic approach.