Breeze Academy

Which acupuncture points should every practitioner know when it comes to treating shoulder pain? With so many different types of pain in this area of the body, understanding your points and what each of them does is key to delivering better client outcomes. In Episode 3 of our Essential Acupuncture Points series, Dr. Carl Clarkson breaks down the main points you need to consider when a client come...

If you’ve worked in acupuncture before, you’ve almost certainly had a client come to you and complain about lower back pain. Thankfully, the lower back is one of the best responding areas of the body to acupuncture - with clients often citing fast pain relief and quick results. But which acupuncture points should you choose to deliver the best clinical results for your clients? In episode 2 of our...

A new client enters your clinic complaining about knee pain - which points should you choose? In this first episode of our Essential Acupuncture Points series, Dr. Carl Clarkson explains the essential acupuncture points every clinician should consider when they’re looking to help treat knee pain and get their client’s moving again. He’ll dive into the fundamental points he has used in almost every...

We're always getting asked questions from past and future delegates around acupuncture best practice - and this week we're answering them. In a special episode of the Breeze Academy Podcast, Dr. Carl Clarkson answers your questions on everything acupuncture, from joint pain to hair loss. Taken from our recent live Q&A Session, he dives into a range of topics surrounding acupuncture, an...

Practicing acupuncture isn't always easy and treating clients isn't always as easy as taking them from A to B. Sometimes you won't get the effect you want, which can lead some clinicians to ask the question - what am I doing wrong? That's why this week on the Breeze Academy Podcast, we're looking at the simple and sometimes overlooked fixes you can apply to your practice that c...

Getting the degree is one thing. Building the experience, confidence and employability to land your first physio role is another. This week on the Breeze Academy Podcast, Dr. Carl Clarkson is joined by Isabelle Charlwood, a third-year physio student at Northumbria University, to discuss the current university landscape for physiotherapy students. They'll explore what first and second year of t...

Reflexology is about more than just working the feet. But what can if offer your clients? As part of World Reflexology Week 2026, we're looking at some of the benefits of using reflexology and exploring what draws clients to the practice. Aly Cranston, Reflexology Lead here at Breeze Academy, discusses what her clients have told her firsthand from her multiple years in the industry. She'll...

With over two decades of clinical experience in acupuncture and dry needling, Dr. Carl Clarkson has learnt a thing or two about the practice. In this week's episode of the Breeze Academy Podcast, he explores his biggest findings while working in the industry and how his view on acupuncture has changed over the years. Carl reflects on his successes and mistakes, while including some helpful tip...

Learning the human anatomy is an essential process for any sports therapist. But knowing which tools work best and how to put them into practice is a process that takes time. Thats why this week we're rounding up our favourite resources, tips and tricks for learning this complex system. Gerard Hargreaves, Sports Massage Tutor at Breeze, hand-picks his top resources to suit every different type...

When you started your sports massage training, your first thought may have been around the right techniques to use or how you're going to treat certain conditions. But one of the most common questions our delegates ask when completing their Level 3 or Level 4 course with us is around the tools they can use to support their practice. Thats why this week we're rounding up our top picks for e...

Before you've booked your first client, there are a few fundamentals every acupuncturist must have. But knowing where to start can be difficult. Especially if you're new to acupuncture and dry needling. That's why Dr Carl Clarkson is using his decades of experience to round up the five essentials you need to start delivering a safe and effective practice. He dives into the equipment, k...

A good practitioner does more than simply understand muscles. They understand each client as an individual. While technical knowledge and clinical skills are important, understanding your clients on a personal level allows you to unlock a level of trust that can elevate both their experience and outcomes. In this week's episode of the Breeze Academy Podcast, Sports Massage tutors Briea and Sue...

“What if I hurt someone?”That was the thought running through Dr Carl Clarkson’s mind when he prepared to insert his first acupuncture needle. In this episode of the Breeze Academy Podcast, Carl shares his personal journey into acupuncture and dry needling — from feeling nervous as a beginner to developing confidence as an experienced practitioner and educator. We explore:✅ His first experience l...

Could reflexology be the career change you’ve been looking for? 👣In this episode of the Breeze Academy Podcast, we explore why this rewarding therapy career is becoming an increasingly popular choice for people looking for a more sustainable way of working. Many people choose reflexology because they’re looking for a career that supports their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and one that...

Burnout is something many sports massage therapists experience, but it’s often overlooked until it becomes a problem. Sports massage is an incredibly rewarding career. You help people recover, return to sport, manage pain and feel more confident in their bodies. But the physical demands, emotional responsibility and pressures of running your own clinic can slowly build up over time. In this episod...

Think reflexology is just a foot rub? Or that it’s ticklish or taxing on the thumbs? Think again! In this week's podcast episode, we debunk 5 common myths about reflexology and reveal what reflexology really is, a skilled therapy working on the micro system of the feet to rebalance the whole body. Learn why reflexology...✅ Isn’t ticklish, even for sensitive feet✅ Builds strength in your thum...

What is it really like to be a reflexologist? 👣In this week's podcast episode, Aly our reflexology tutor takes you behind the scenes of a typical day as a practising reflexologist. From preparing a calming treatment space and welcoming clients, to delivering relaxing reflexology treatments and creating meaningful connections. Discover what life as a reflexologist is really like. Many people a...

What is De Qi in acupuncture and why does it matter? 🤔In this episode, Dr Carl Clarkson explores one of the most important concepts in acupuncture practice, De Qi, and explains why understanding this sensation can help clinicians improve their acupuncture treatment approach. De Qi is often described as a collection of sensations experienced during acupuncture, but knowing what it feels like, how...

💪 Essential Sports Massage Techniques You NeedGet an exclusive insight into the core sports massage techniques we teach on our courses! In this video, we demonstrate practical, hands-on methods every therapist should master to improve client outcomes, pre- and post-event recovery, and overall performance. In this video, we cover:✅ Effleurage✅ Petrissage✅ Tapotement✅ Frictions✅ Pre- and Post-...

There are 12 distal acupuncture points that every practitioner should know! In this week's podcast episode, Dr Carl Clarkson explains why distal acupuncture points are an essential part of effective treatment planning and how choosing the right one can improve your clinical reasoning and patient outcomes. In this episode, we discuss:✅ What distal acupuncture points are✅ Why distal points are...

Can acupuncture help with period pain? 🤔Many people experience significant discomfort every month, impacting work, exercise, sleep, and day-to-day activities. In this week's podcast episode, Dr Carl Clarkson shares a simple acupuncture protocol that can be used to support people experiencing period pain (dysmenorrhoea).We explore:✅ The role of acupuncture in managing period pain✅ A simple 4...

What are the most important acupuncture points every clinician should know? In this week's podcast episode, Dr Carl Clarkson shares his personal list of the 8 acupuncture points that appear in almost every clinical recipe and explains why they are so valuable in practice. In this episode, we discuss:✅ Large Intestine 4, the classic pain-relief point✅ Heart 7 for stress, anxiety, sleep and em...

Can acupuncture help people with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)? 🤔In this week's podcast episode, Dr Carl explores one of the most frequently asked questions from our acupuncture community: How should clinicians approach Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) in practice? FND presents a unique challenge because symptoms can vary significantly between individuals and often include move...

Why do clients stop coming back to your clinic? 🤔In this week’s podcast episode, Dr Carl breaks down the top 10 common reasons therapists lose clients — and what you can do to improve client retention, patient trust, and long-term clinic success. In this episode, we discuss:✅ Setting realistic treatment expectations✅ Why clients need short-term wins✅ The dangers of being “one-dimensional” as a...

Are your acupuncture or dry needling treatments not getting the results you expected?⚠️ If you haven't watched our previous episode '7 Mistakes New Acupuncture Practitioners Make (And How to Fix Them)' go watch it now and then come back hereIn this week's episode, Dr Carl Clarkson shares his practical strategies to help clinicians maximise the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment...