Course Dates
Course Location 
Acupressure Massage 6 Month Diploma Course
Next course dates: 27/01 2013; 10/02/2013; 24/02/2013; 10/03/2013; 24/03/2013; 14/04/2013; 28/04/2013
Contact Dragomir on
dragomirl@btinternet.com or 0797 6253 682
Website : http://ccmwestlondonclinic.co.nf/
OutlineReturn to Top ↑
The course is based on seven Sunday sessions (9.30am to 5.30pm) spread over 6 months.
It is designed as an advanced, intensive course for massage therapists and other physical therapists that want to broaden their knowledge and further their skills. The emphasis of the course falls on the practical application of acupressure massage as treatment for variety of musculo-skeletal conditions.
The course includes a general theoretical part - the first three sessions, providing sufficient knowledge and understanding of the Acupuncture Meridian System and the points used in acupressure for common musculo-skeletal problems, as well as practical diagnosis of common pathology and therapeutic principals of TCM and acupressure. The remainder of the course covers the specific treatment for each of the different areas of the body with demonstration, explanation and individual practical work.
Theoretical examination is done by continuous assessment. For the practical examination, the students are required to carry out a full body acupressure massage in real time, demonstrating ability to diagnose, plan and execute an adequate treatment. The practical examination takes place 2 weeks after the end of the course. Those, who successfully pass are awarded a Diploma in Advanced Acupressure Massage.
Successful graduates will be awarded a Diploma in Acupressure Massage and with be entitled to use the initials Dip Ap after thier names and will be accepted as a members of the Acupuncture Society. (annual membership £75 and student and proffessional indemnity cover cover can also be arranged)
Members of the Acupuncture Society, and are entitled to use the initials MAcS Ap after their names.
The annual membership to the Acupuncture Society is £50.
Course ContentReturn to Top ↑
Course Objectives
- To give usable theoretical knowledge of the Acupuncture Meridian System - the 12 main meridians and the 8 extra meridians, the action, location and practical application of their principal points.
- To put in practical context Anatomy and Physiology knowledge for the needs of acupressure treatment. Musculo-skeletal and nervous systems - organisation and function on body level. Posture, gravity and weight bearing - the forces, which determine the way the body is designed and the way it functions.
- To understand the pathology of injury, the real meaning of pain and the different types of pain - blood and energy stagnation type; damp, cold, heat or wind type; deficiency of energy type.
- To develop the ability to diagnose:
- by interrogation - asking the relevant questions
- by observation - body shape, posture, movements
- by palpation - the muscles and bones of the affected areas as well as the related points and meridians
- To master the practical application of acupressure for the most common musculo-skeletal problems - neck, upper and lower back; shoulder, elbow and wrist; groin, knee and ankle problems. To become a confident and proficient practitioner through correct diagnosis, proper selection and location of points and efficient stimulation using finger pressure. To develop a real understanding of the concept of "arrival of Qi" and the achievement of sufficient therapeutic stimulation.
Course ModulesReturn to Top ↑
I - III: - Theoretical lectures
- Introduction to acupressure massage
- demonstration of a full body acupressure massage with explanation
IV: Morning
Back of leg
- 30 minutes theory: anatomy, function and meridians/points of the area;
common problems and treatment
- 45 minutes demonstration with explanation
- 120 minutes practical work in pairs
- 10 minutes discussion - questions & comments
Afternoon
Lower back and hip
- 30 minutes theory - anatomy, function and meridians/points of the area;
common problems and treatment
- 45 minutes demonstration with explanation
- 120 minutes practical work in pairs
- 10 minutes discussion - questions & comments
V: Morning
Upper back and neck
- 30 minutes theory - anatomy, function and meridians/points of the area;
common problems and treatment
- 45 minutes demonstration with explanation
- 120 minutes practical work in pairs
- 10 minutes discussion - questions & comments
Afternoon
Revision practical work - the back of the body
- 20 minutes revision on the covered theory
- 180 minutes practical work in pairs
- 10 minutes discussion - questions & comments
VI: Morning
Upper extremities: shoulder, elbow and wrist
- 90 minutes theory - anatomy, function and meridians/points of the area;
common problems and treatment
- 120 minutes practical work in pairs
- 10 minutes discussion - questions & comments
Afternoon
Lower extremities: knee, ankle, groin and shins
- 20 minutes theory - anatomy, function and meridians/points of the area;
common problems and treatment
- 60 minutes demonstration with explanation
- 90 minutes practical work in pairs
- 10 minutes discussion - questions & comments
VII: Morning and afternoon
Revision practical work - the whole body
Admission RequirementsReturn to Top ↑
The course is designed as an advanced, intensive course for massage therapists and other physical therapists. The applicants must have completed at least an ITEC level (or equivalent) previous course in massage. Adequate Anatomy & Physiology knowledge is essential.
PLEASE READ OUR TREATMENT SAFETY CHECK LIST BELOW BEFORE ATTENDING CCM COURSES:
The list below is a student safety guide used prior undertaking a CCM course. We aim to protect the health and safety of students in training and also those they practise on during and after the course.
If you suffer from any of the conditions listed below or other conditions which have not been included that you feel are relevant, please inform us prior to class treatments so that we can assess you suitability for such treatment.
Where there is any doubt please consult your GP.
- A recent operation
- An untreated medical condition
- Severe Bone or joint disorders (Rheumatoid/Osteo arthritis, osteoporosis)
- Cardiovascular disorders (high blood pressure, heart / circulatory desease, thrombosis)
- Diabetes
- Endocrine disorders
- Epilepsy
- Drug addiction or recent use of cocktails of recreational and prescribed drugs and or exessive alcohol consumption
- Medication
- Pregnancy (or post natal)
- Severe skin disorders
- Severe mental illness
- Spinal injuries
- Prone to fainting
- If you suffer from infectious deseases like hepatitis b or HIV
You must also have eaten about 2 hours prior to treatment (please inform tutor if you haven't
- If there anything else we should know about your health, please let the tutor know.
- The same proceeding is required prior to treating your clients or during assignments
FeeReturn to Top ↑
The cost of the course is 550.00.
It includes:
1. Seven 7-hour sessions
2. Copies of the theoretical lectures
3. Acupressure textbook
4. Exam fees and Diploma
5. Membership certificate to the Acupuncture Society
(upon paying the annual membership fee)
(Please note that course fees are non-refundable)
Fees are directly payable by cheques made out to your course tutor's accounts (please check with them for their bank details)
CCM cannot accept payment on behalf of any individual tutor or for the courses which they run
TutorReturn to Top ↑
Dragomir Lubomirov FAcS MPCHM
Vice Principal of the College of Chinese Medicine
Chair of the CCM Academic board 
Email: dragomirl@btinternet.com
Tel. +44 7976 253682
Dragomir is 46 years old. He has been involved in sport, martial arts, massage and acupuncture for most of his life. As a junior, he was a part of the Bulgarian national swimming squad for 5 years and as a student at Sofia University he was in the university swimming team for 5 years. He has been practicing both Chinese and Japanese martial arts for the past 20 years and currently holds a 5th Dan in Iai Do and 4th Dan in Jo Do. He has been part of the Jo Do British team on few occasions, winning a bronze medal in the 3rd Dan division at the Paris 2007 European Jo Do Championship. He has been teaching Iai Do and Jo Do in his West London dojo since 2001.
He has studied deep tissue, sports and remedial massage both in the UK and Bulgaria and has been practicing massage therapy for over 20 years. He completed a degree-level studied in acupuncture and Chinese medicine at the College of Chinese Medicine, London and has been practicing it for the past 15 years. In 2010 he gained his Masters Degree in Clinical Neuroscience with Distinction from Roehampton University, London, his dissertation being on the neuro-endocrine correlates and motor control regulation in Chronic Low back Pain. At present he is completing a PG Diploma in Musculo-skeletal Ultrasound in Canterbury Christchurch University, Kent.
He has extensive experience of treating various musculo-skeletal conditions and especially sports injuries and trauma, with both acupressure massage and acupuncture. Upper back/neck, lower back, shoulder, hip and knee problems constitute the main part of his work. He has also achieved good results in the treatment of neurological, menstrual/fertility, digestive and endocrine disorders as well as in the supportive treatment for patients receiving chemo- and radiotherapy for various cancers.
Dragomir is the Vice-Principal of CCM London since 2004 and a senior lecturer at the College. Based on his sports, martial arts, massage and acupuncture experience, he developed and has been teaching the Advanced Acupressure Massage Course at the College since 2000. He has also taught Acupressure to physiotherapist in Bahrain. At the College he also teaches the TCM Foundation course, Auricular Acupuncture for drug and alcohol rehabilitation and stress course, Acupuncture Meridian stretch course, TCM Orthopaedic diagnosis course and is co-teaching the Orthopaedic Acupuncture course.
His professional interests are:
- neural and anatomical correlates of the acupuncture meridian system
- multi-layered interconnectivity of the neuro-axis and especially the spinal inter-segmental connectivity
- stimulation-based approaches to body regulation and healing
- traditional and modern technological methods of stimulation of acupuncture points
- exercise as learning and health enhancing process
Dragomir lectures at the College of Chinese Medicine and is also a specialist TCM consultant at the Clinic of the College of Chinese Medicine
Application FormReturn to Top ↑
Please submit this form and the course tutor will respond to your email to inform you of whether you have been accepted. If you have any queries about this course please contact
Dragomir on 07976253682 or email: dragomirl@btinternet.com
Acupuncture Society membershipReturn to Top ↑
Successful graduates from this course can apply for membership of the Acupuncture Society are entitled to use the abbreviations MAcS Ap after their names the society can also arrange professional indemnity insurance at a very competitive members preferential rate
all members must be insured and log 15 hours of CPD per year (8 hours courses/seminars/workshops and 7 hours home study/research)
Acupuncture Society Application Formif they join the Society and adhere to its code of ethics rules and regulations and supply copies of their insurance.
Acupuncture Society members are exempted from Local Authority Licensing in many areas including Greater London please check with your local authority.
The annual membership to the Acupuncture Society is £50
Thank you for your application!
Your course tutor will contact you as soon as possible.
If you do not receive a reply within the next few days please call the course tutor.