Description
This two weekend course will introduce you to the basics of Manaka style acupuncture.
Dr Yoshio Manaka (1911-1989) was a medical doctor, acupuncturist, herbalist, researcher, sculptor and poet – a polymath and polyglot. He developed a five stage model of acupuncture that like nearly all Japanese styles of treatment is based on palpatory findings. The five stages are firstly to treat the front or yin surface, then the back, followed by structural corrections (usually sotai). Stage four is symptom control via the use of direct or indirect moxa, chishin (leaving needle), press tacks, cupping, intradermals etc. Stage five, if used, is homework for the patient.
Manaka predominantly used the Eight Extraordinary Vessels as his prime treatment modality and considered the body to be an octahedron and that the diagnosis of which vessels needed treatment could be made via palpation. He invented the ion pumping cords as a way of potentiating the treatment and shorten the time for needles to be used. He also invented several other tools that could be used instead of needles.
Weekend one will cover the basic philosophy and theory, the five primary patterns plus more recently discovered ones. It will also introduce you to various tools: ion pumping cords and the ion beam device, the Manaka hammer and the channel frequencies. It will also cover the use of needle moxa (kyotoshin) on the Back Shu points. There will be time spent examining Manaka’s point locations and his changing of some of the Mu or Alarm Points.
Weekend two will review the information previously taught plus introduce the concept of polar channel treatment, more unusual treatment strategies, basic sotai as employed in stage three. Strategies in stage four will be explored in detail plus Manaka’s signal system theory, his views on prognosis and blood stasis.
At the end of the course you will have learnt a new model of diagnosis and acupuncture that may well utterly transform the way you practise acupuncture.
Date
5-6 July & 26-27 July 2025
Cost
£360
Location
International College of Oriental Medicine, Van Buren House, Green Hedges Avenue, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1DZ.
ICOM is located about 10 minutes walk from East Grinstead train station, with direct trains from London Victoria. For those coming by car, we have a private car park with plenty of parking spaces.
Eligibility
This course is suitable for qualified Acupuncture practitioners.
About the teacher
Marek Urbanowicz initially trained in Shiatsu in the mid 1970s, then in Swedish massage and reflexology. He enrolled at the College of Traditional Acupuncture in 1976 studying under J.R. Worsley and received a Licentiate of Acupuncture (Lic.Ac) in 1979. He was awarded a BAc in 1983 and an MAc in 1987. Since the late 1990, Marek has been studying Japanese style acupuncture and has lectured at a number of Acupuncture colleges.
Marek encountered kinesiology in 1980 with Brian Butler and in 1983 he attended the first advanced kinesiology course in Holland with Dr. Sheldon Deal, continuing to study with him for over 10 years. In the late 1980s he attended the ICAK course with Chris Smith, passing the Clinical Competence exam in 1996. He has been a member of ICAK ever since. At the same time, Marek taught muscle testing alongside Robert Tisserand (author of The Art of Aromatherapy) for 5 years in the 1980s at the Raworth College.
In 2013/14 he was awarded MA from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama with a thesis on the diaphragm and voice. He has studied nutrition with Dr Stephen Davies and also Dr Lawrence Plaskett and has been in full-time practice since 1979, running a large multi-disciplinary clinic from 1994-2007.
Cancellation policy for CPD course bookings
- Refunds for cancellations two or more months before the course commencement will incur a 15% administration fee.
- Refunds for cancellations between two months and two weeks before the course commencement will incur a 25% administration fee.
- Refunds for cancellations two weeks before the course commencement will incur a 50% administration fee.
- No refund will be given for no shows or cancellations upon the course commencement.
- Any amount overpaid by the student will automatically be refunded to the student’s account.
- If for any reason a course is cancelled by ICOM, all money received will be refunded in full. ICOM will only cancel a course if absolutely necessary.
Photograph: “Netsuke” by judy dean is licensed under CC BY 2.0.