NTU Tuina Therapy Training Programme
Overview
A Global Standard for Tuina Education
The Tuina Therapy Training Programme is a strategic initiative aimed at establishing a globally recognised, competency-based education and certification framework for Tuina therapists. Based in Singapore and developed in collaboration with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and international Tuina experts, the series will cultivate a new generation of skilled practitioners capable of integrating TCM Tuina therapy into mainstream healthcare.
The training programme will begin in Singapore, serving as a model that partner institutions in other regions — including China, Southeast Asia, and Western healthcare systems — can adopt and adapt as part of a broader effort to standardise and globalise Tuina education.
Programme Structure and Course Design
Three Progressive Courses, One Clear Pathway
The courses will be structured into progressive levels — Basic to Intermediate, and Advanced — with a foundational course in TCM and Tuina therapy as the prerequisite for all subsequent modules.
The entire programme will be delivered through shorter modular credit courses, with cumulative credits leading to the corresponding certificate, offering both flexibility and academic rigour.
Each course will culminate in a Certificate of Proficiency. The modular structure ensures accessibility for working professionals while providing a clear pathway towards advanced qualifications and clinical mastery.
Course Selection Guidelines
The Tuina programme is divided into three courses: A, B, and C. As course A covers foundational knowledge in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Tuina therapy, it serves as a prerequisite for students to complete the course A certificate before they can enroll in courses B and C. Credits earned while enrolling in courses B and C will qualify students for the respective certificates in Pain Management and/or High-Impact Specialties in Tuina.
Course A: TCM and Tuina Foundations (6AU)
This course is the core foundation of TCM Tuina training, covering essential TCM theories (Yin-Yang, Five Elements, Zang-Fu, Qi, Blood, Body Fluids, Meridians and Acupoints), Tuina therapeutic principles and techniques, and basic clinical imaging knowledge, with an emphasis on syndrome differentiation thinking to prepare students for advanced practical Tuina training.
Course B: Pain Management Certificate (9AU)
This clinically oriented certificate course covers pain management across three modules—musculoskeletal, neuropathic, and chronic disease-related pain—combining advanced theory with hands-on Tuina techniques. It culminates in a final assessment where participants independently diagnose and treat a complex multi-site pain case.
Course components:
Module 1: Musculoskeletal and Biomechanical Pain
Module 2: Neuropathic Pain and Central Sensation
Module 3: Chronic Disease-Related Pain and Rehabilitation
Course C: Tuina Course for High-Impact Specialties (12AU)
This advanced course builds specialized Tuina competency across four clinical domains—metabolic and digestive, neurological and psychosomatic, gynaecological, and paediatric—integrating TCM theory with modern functional health perspectives through intensive hands-on practice.
Course components:
Module 1: Metabolic and Digestive System Regulation
Module 2: Nervous System and Psychosomatic Disorders
Module 3: Gynaecological and Reproductive Health
Module 4: Paediatric Growth and Developmental Disorders
Who Should Attend
Built for Practitioners at Every Stage
This programme welcomes participants from three backgrounds:
Healthcare & Allied Health Professionals
— Physiotherapists, rehabilitation therapists, nurses, and other health management practitioners seeking to integrate professional Tuina skills into their clinical practice.
TCM & Tuina Practitioners
— Licensed TCM physicians and Tuina therapists looking to deepen their expertise and expand their specialist clinical repertoire.
General Public & Career Changers
— Individuals with a personal or professional interest in Tuina therapy, including wellness practitioners, career switchers entering complementary healthcare, and family members of chronic pain patients.
Come and join our course!
