Rebecca Avern

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Rebecca Avern

BA (Hons), Lic Ac, Dip Paed Ac, MBAcC

Acupuncture Training

Initial training

Licentiate in Acupuncture from the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine: a three and half year course from which I graduated in 2001.

Further training

Four years studying with and working alongside the late Giovanni Maciocia (one of the most eminent doctors of Chinese medicine in the West): I assisted him in the writing of a major text book for acupuncture students – Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine.

Paediatric training

Diploma in Paediatric Acupuncture (2012): I am one of only a small number of acupuncturists in the UK who have done post-graduate training in paediatric acupuncture with Julian Scott, author of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Children.  Julian is known worldwide as the leading expert in paediatric acupuncture, and I spent a year studying with him to Diploma level.

Training in paediatric tui na (2012): with Dr Hongchun Yin (specialist from the Shangdong University of TCM)

Training in Japanese paediatric acupuncture techniques (shonishin) (2013): with Stephen Birch (author of Shonishin: Japanese Paediatric Acupuncture).

RAProfessional responsibilities

I am a long-standing, senior faculty member at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine (www.acupuncturecollege.org.uk)  – the largest acupuncture college in Europe. My responsibilities there include:

  • Senior Lecturer: teaching undergraduate students various aspects of Chinese medicine on the acupuncture degree course
  • Director of teaching clinic: I am in charge of the clinical phase of the acupuncture degree course, where students treat in the college clinic under supervision.
  • Clinical supervisor: I supervise students in the clinical module of their degree course.  I am also a clinical supervisor at the college, which means I am responsible for supervising students during the clinical module of their course.
  • Paediatric diploma: I have put together a year-long paediatric acupuncture diploma, which I teach at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine.

Professional practice

I have run busy acupuncture practices since 2001.  Whilst I continue to treat some adults, my practice is now almost solely focussed on treating children.  I set up the Panda Clinic, an acupuncture clinic solely for the treatment of children, in Oxford in 2012.

Writing

I am the author of a major textbook on paediatric acupuncture Acupuncture for Babies, Children and Teenagers (Singing Dragon 2018), as well as several journal articles.  Please see Publications for further details.

Personal

I have two young children (Alathea and Leyla) and this hugely informs how I approach the treatment of children.   I care deeply about children’s health.  I believe that imbalances in a child’s qi corrected early on in life can mean a person avoids a lifetime of ill-health.  A healthy child is usually a happy child, and is more able to enjoy life and achieve their potential.

As a parent, I also understand the strain it puts on the entire family when a child is not well. Helping a child back to health not only benefits them, but everybody around them too.