International Online School of Acupuncture
Our International Online Acupuncture School represents the most structured and longest-running educational program in the region of the former Yugoslavia, accredited by the Zdravniška zbornica Slovenije with 50 credit points (KT).
The program is primarily intended for physicians and dentists with a valid professional licence. Other healthcare professionals and therapists with appropriate formal education may participate in selected parts of the program, such as acupressure, electroacupuncture and laser acupuncture, but not in classical invasive acupuncture with needles.
The school lasts nine months , and classes take place one weekly block per month, from Monday to Friday, in the afternoon. Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the classroom has become virtual – the theoretical part is conducted entirely via the Zoom platform, and recordings of all lectures remain permanently available to students.
Special Knowledge: Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
Introduction
The Special Knowledge in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture program represents a school with a thirty-year tradition of continuous education of doctors and dentists.
Following modern educational trends and with the aim of making it easier for participants to access knowledge, in recent years the theoretical part of classes has been conducted via the Zoom platform, with permanent access to lecture recordings.
The program is led by Prof. dr. Edvin Dervišević, PhD, MD.’, with engagement:
- Vesna Dervišević, MD, specialist in anesthesiology
- Mirjam Golub, MD, specialist in anesthesiology
- Prof., Ph.D., SONG Jichung
Other health professionals (eg physiotherapists, nurses and technicians, health therapists with relevant formal education), as well as specialists from complementary therapeutic areas with appropriate previous education, can join the program.
Attendees who are not doctors or dentists receive a certificate related to acupressure, electroacupuncture and laser acupuncture , but not to acupuncture in the invasive sense (puncturing with needles).
Credit points for professional development are requested and assigned separately for each program, seminar or study visit by the relevant professional chambers.
Program content (Syllabus outline)
• Introduction to traditional Chinese medicine
• Scientific basis of acupuncture
• Historical development of acupuncture
• Philosophy, anatomy and physiology in TCM
• Theory of Five Elements
• Theory of Yin–Yang
• Qi energy
• Chinese organ clock
• Etiology and pathogenesis of diseases according to TCM
• Diagnostics in TCM
• Pathology and pathophysiology of organs according to TCM
• Topography and anatomical measurements in acupuncture
• Acupuncture meridians – introduction
• Acupuncture points – general part
• Acupuncture points – regular meridians
• Extra meridians
• Acupuncture techniques
• Differentiation of syndromes
• Nature and function of specific points according to TCM
• Modern acupuncture techniques (electroacupuncture, laser acupuncture, acupressure)
• Main indications, complications and contraindications for acupuncture
• Safe handling, sterilization, storage and disposal of acupuncture equipment
• Methods of heating and cooling in acupuncture (moxibustion, cupping)
• Methods of therapy in TCM
• Acupuncture in sports and rehabilitation
• Acupuncture treatment: strategy, principles of selection, sequence and combination of points
• Application of acupuncture in clinical practice: syndrome therapy
• Nutrition according to TCM based on the differentiation of syndromes
Special Knowledge: Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
EXERCISES – 50 HOURS
Practical demonstrations, group work and guided case analyses with an emphasis on:
- clinical skills development
- syndrome differentiation
- proper selection of acupuncture points
- development of a therapeutic strategy
SEMINARS – 100 HOURS
- student presentations
- expert discussions
- critical analysis of literature
- connecting theory and clinical practice
INDEPENDENT WORK – 100 HOURS
- study of professional literature
- preparation of seminar papers
- deepening specific TCM topics
CLINICAL PRACTICE – 150 HOURS
Internship under the supervision of a mentor in the EU and partner institutions.
Distribution:
- Neurological diseases – 40 hours
- Locomotor system and rheumatology – 20 hours
- Gynecology – 20 hours
- Skin diseases – 5 hours
- Internal Medicine – 20 hours
- Mental health disorders – 20 hours
- Respiratory diseases – 10 hours
- Allergies – 5 hours
- Urinary system – 5 hours
- Other diseases – 5 hours
Program content (Thematic units)
- Introduction to TCM
- Scientific basis of acupuncture
- Historical development
- Five Elements Theory
- Yin–Yang Theory
- Qi energy
- Syndrome differentiation
- Diagnostics
- Meridians and acupuncture points
- Modern acupuncture techniques
- Therapeutic strategy
- Application in clinical practice
- Nutrition according to TCM
Organization of teaching
- Classes are conducted in the Slovenian language
- Theoretical part – online
- Recordings available permanently
- The school is accredited by the Zdravniška zbornica Slovenije
Price
Program in Slovenian language: 400 EUR per module
The practical part at the office of Prof. Dr. Dervišević in
Ljubljana is free of charge.
There are no charges for consultations, thesis defense,
exams, or issuing certificates.
Calendar 2026/2027
October 2026 – 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th
November 2026 – 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th
December 2026 – 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th
January 2027 – 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th
February 2027 – 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
March 2027 – 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
April 2027 – 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
May 2027 – 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th (Auricula)
June 2027 – 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th
Diploma
After successfully passing the theoretical and practical exam, the participant receives a diploma from the Institute, recognized in EU countries, Switzerland and Australia.
We look forward to the new generation of students and the continuation of the tradition of professional excellence.
Health Institute for Sports Medicine and Acupuncture Ljubljana