Welcome
Welcome to East West College in the UK, provider of Continuing Professional Development courses (CPD).
Based in Farnham (Surrey), we specialise in short in-person courses for Acupuncturists, and practitioners of Shiatsu and Chinese medicine. Principal: Jamie Hamilton with invited guest tutors.
Current Courses 2025 - 2056 Online and In-Person
Core subjects are pulse diagnosis, channel theory & palpation, and therapeutic bodywork:
- Mai Jing A-B-C Pulse Diagnosis is based on and grounded in the methods described in the Mai Jing 'Pulse Classic'. Jamie Hamilton's book Essential Pulse Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine: Mai Jing ABC Method, was published in April 2022 and is recommended reading for our two day course.
We now also offer a 5-part recorded series as a learning tool for the method, which course participants have found very useful to watch prior to the in-person course.

In the summer of 2025, Jamie continued to explore pulse taking by conferring with teachers from the Shen Hammer tradition in Europe (based in Denmark and Germany) as with Nadine Zäch in Switzerland.
- Applied Channel Theory based on the teachings of Dr Wang Ju-Yi. As well as introductory courses for acupuncturists, we have been inviting guest tutors to teach more advanced courses in this subject since 2017, and apprentices of Dr Wang since 2019. An online course with Jonathan Chang starts in February 2026. At the end of next year we are offering our first trip to China.

Tuina and Advanced Bodywork. Our fantastic new course taught by Nick Lowe and Jamie Hamilton took place in Exeter for 2025. The course is repeating in 2026, but nearer to London in a new venue at Cholsey.
Past Courses and a gallery of photos may be seen on the bottom tab below Extra Pages. Do read some of our blogs below.
Other courses include:
How to Treat Painful Conditions in Acupuncture Practice. 1 day course
Tutor: Jamie Hamilton LicAc LicCCH BSc MBAcC
We explored how best to treat patients with musculoskeletal and other painful conditions in acupuncture practice, looking at the theory about different kinds of channel systems affected by pain.
In particular, we covered the treatment of a selection of the following: Sciatica, Low Back Pain, Shoulder Pain, Neck Pain, Plantar fasciitis, RSI, and Tennis elbow. In differentiating the various sources of pain, Jamie will teach stretches, massage techniques and demonstrate a technique he uses frequently in clinic : how to use a warming herbal salve with heat lamp on affected areas. We will discuss case studies, please also bring your own to share. See Jamie's blog below on the treatment of pain.
Where? Most of our in-person courses are based in Farnham, Surrey. Farnham is on the South West Trains line from Waterloo, and the journey takes 1 hour. For accommodation, we could recommend the Bush Hotel, the Premier Inn or AirBnB. If you need any help arranging your stay, please get in touch for advice.
International teaching
Jamie has taught the Mai Jing ABC Method twice at Chiway, Winterthur, Switzerland, and for the Norway Acupuncture Association in Oslo.
Additional Publications
Principal Jamie Hamilton has also published three books about Chinese characters, the first is his Chinese dictionary ordered by the radical (pictured below), the second a dictionary based on pinyin, and the third is a book of tones for the characters which is a companion to a free font which Jamie also created!


Innovative CPD
An essential aspect of the theory and practice we teach is that of Classical channel theory, presenting these key concepts in both a theoretical and practical manner.
Course Testimonials are listed under each course subject tab, but here are a few of our early ones as a college:
'Live Well Live Long' residential with Peter Deadman: 10 out of 10! could not have been better. Peter's teachings are profound and very useful. Carina and Jamie make every effort to ensure the comfort and wellbeing of participants. The course was well structured, paced and ultimately very enjoyable'. Victoria Conran, July 2021.
"Enjoyable, articulate and inspiring, I would recommend Jamie's 'Mai Jing Pulse Diagnosis' to almost every acupuncturist I know". Jonathan C-W, Edinburgh. May 2019
On Mai Jing Pulse Diagnosis: "Very interesting to have more ways to analyse a pulse in a practical way". Kirsten S, Falkirk. May 2019
'Interpreting the twelve zangfu organs in Chinese Medicine' with Deborah Woolf : Created so many links that has given me a better understanding of Chinese medicine and how it flows; therefore giving me a better way to diagnose and treat. Sally Wilson, June 2019
"This Applied Channel Theory course with Michael Phoenix has been the most relaxed, enjoyable and informative course I have ever been on. The combination of theory and practical brought things alive. I have learnt lots of new techniques to take back to clinic and I know I will have good results. A totally brilliant 3 days". Nov 2018
" Studying shiatsu at East West College has been a joy. Jamie is an excellent, enthusiastic and inspiring tutor and the charming setting of the Tatami Room is the perfect tranquil location for learning and practising Shiatsu. Acquiring the skills to be able to make a difference to an individual’s well-being has given me a refreshingly new outlook on life." Sue, Oxford 2012
We have also hosted two First Aid courses in Farnham for practitioners.
Blog - Exploring Chinese Medicine
Blogs reflecting on our experience with East West College courses and on acupuncture & shiatsu...
Blog Categories: