The practice and teaching of acupuncture and Chinese herbalism has a 5000 year old history in China. The earliest text on the subject, the Huang Ti Nei Jing Su Wen Ling Shu' (The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine), ascribed to the 2nd and 1st centuries BC, is still relevant to the teaching of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine today. Certainly scientific investigations over the past 300 years have added to our understanding of the physiological mechanisms that may contribute to the acupuncture effect, and to our understanding of the pharmacological basis of Chinese herbal medicine, but the unifying framework of this form of holistic therapy was developed and refined during 5000 years of clinical application in China and Japan. The major theoretical foundations of this science remain unchanged. Its continued evolution as a therapeutic system, in view of the impact of Western medical practices, attests to the effectiveness of this method of treatment and the soundness of the ancient theoretical basis of diagnosis and practice that are used by the traditionally trained practitioner.

The introduction of acupuncture to the West came late in its history and the early transmissions of information were fragmented. European understanding has grown gradually over the past 300 years. Recent contact with China has accelerated the knowledge and acceptance of acupuncture in the West.

Development of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine education in Australia

It was important that traditional acupuncture, as a safe and effective therapeutic system, should be made available to the Australian community, and that high standards of training and fully qualified practitioners should meet this need.

Acupuncture was first offered as a formal educational program in Sydney in 1969 when Acupuncture Colleges (Australia), a privately owned school, was founded. By 1974 the reputation of this College, with its high standards of training, was such that applications came from many areas of Australia. This course subsequently formed the basis of the Diploma of Applied Science (Acupuncture), accredited by the New South Wales Higher Education Board in 1987. A four year Bachelor of Applied Science (Acupuncture) program was accredited in 1992.

The degree course from Sydney was loaned to the Victoria University of Technology who commenced offering a Bachelor of Health Science (Acupuncture) in 1992. At the same time, negotiations commenced between Acupuncture Colleges (Australia) and UTS for the transfer of acupuncture education from the private sector to the university system. This led to the introduction of undergraduate education in acupuncture at UTS in 1994.

The UTS College of Acupuncture was established in 1994, founded on the experience and educational expertise of Acupuncture Colleges (Australia). The decision to transfer acupuncture education to the University was in accord with the growth in acceptance and use of acupuncture in Australia, and the need to provide a standard of education at a level expected by the community.

In 1995, the College was incorporated into the Faculty of Science as part of the Department of Health Sciences. A companion program, the Bachelor of Health Science in Chinese Herbal Medicine, was introduced in 1996. The addition of Chinese herbalism to the UTS educational profile provided for the establishment of a full traditional Chinese medicine program in the University. In 1997, the College of Acupuncture was renamed the UTS College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Due to student demand and professional moves toward the registration of practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Bachelor of Health Science in Acupuncture and the Bachelor of Health Science in Chinese Herbal Medicine were integrated in 2000. The current Bachelor of Health Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine is a four-year, full-time program that provides education in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.

History of acupuncture

History of Chinese herbal medicine

Course information