Minan Yao (MSc, BSc)
Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner • Course Director/Lecturer at Manchester Academy of TCM • Founder of Yao Acupuncture
Minan is not registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and does not practise as a conventional medical doctor in the UK.
Minan Yao (姚民安)
MSc & BSc in Traditional Chinese Medicine Course Director/Lecturer, MATCM ALS (UK) • PHTLS (US) Certified
An Acupuncture Practitioner Who Also Teaches Practitioners
In the UK, many people can say they practise acupuncture. A rarer professional signal is being trusted to teach it. As Course Director/Lecturer at Manchester Academy of TCM, I help train future acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners while continuing my own clinical work at Yao Acupuncture.
That teaching role shapes how I practise: structured assessment, clear explanation, careful red-flag screening and transparent boundaries about when GP, urgent care or another regulated service is more appropriate.
A Career Built on Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine and Teaching
The key thread is discipline: full-time Traditional Chinese Medicine education, acupuncture teaching, hospital-based experience in China and safety-aware practice.
7-Year Full-Time Chinese Medicine University Education
Earned both BSc and MSc in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, with full-time study in classical TCM theory, acupuncture, herbal medicine, pharmacology, clinical methodology and biomedical sciences relevant to safe practice.
Class A Tertiary Hospital (San-Jia)
Traditional Chinese Medicine clinical training and practice at Ruikang Hospital (Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine), a large 1,100-bed facility specialising in integrative Chinese and Western medicine in China.
Direct Disciple of Prof. Wei Guikang
Selected as Shi-Dai-Tu (師帶徒), a direct apprentice of Professor Wei Guikang, a recognised National Master of TCM in China. This training developed my understanding of the TCM framework known as "Spine-Related Disease" (脊柱相關疾病學).
International SOS Overseas Clinical Role
Earlier overseas clinical and safety work with International SOS, including roles in China, Angola, DR Congo, and Iraq (2023-2025). These were overseas roles and do not imply GMC registration or conventional medical practice in the UK.
Course Director, Manchester Academy of TCM
Now based in the UK, I serve as Course Director and Lecturer at MATCM, helping train the next generation of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners while maintaining my Yao Acupuncture practice.
Emergency Care & Safety Certifications
These certifications support safety awareness, red-flag thinking and appropriate referral decisions. They do not mean I practise conventional medicine as a GMC-registered doctor in the UK.
PHTLS
Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support
US Certified 2024
ALS
Advanced Life Support
UK Resus Council 2024
ACLS
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
Provider
BLS
Basic Life Support
Provider Since 2013
ITLS
International Trauma Life Support
Provider
What this means for you: I take red-flag symptoms seriously, ask about existing care and medicines, and make clear when GP, urgent care or another regulated service is the appropriate pathway.
Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Reasoning
My TCM background includes "Spine-Related Disease" (脊柱相關疾病學), a traditional Chinese medicine framework that pays close attention to the relationship between posture, movement, soft tissue tension and wider patterns of wellbeing.
In practice, this means I do not look at symptoms in isolation. I consider the whole presentation: lifestyle, stress load, sleep, digestion, movement, previous care, medicines and signs that may need conventional medical assessment.
"Good Chinese medicine practice starts with careful observation, clear reasoning and knowing the limits of your scope."
Where appropriate, a plan may include acupuncture, cupping, massage, lifestyle guidance or a Chinese herbal medicine consultation. If the presentation needs GP or urgent medical care, I will say so.
What I Assess
Comfort & Movement
Posture, mobility, tension patterns and day-to-day function
Sleep & Stress Load
Rest, energy, emotional load and relaxation response
Digestive & Menstrual Wellbeing
Patterns discussed as part of a whole-person Chinese medicine history
Existing Medical Care
Current medicines, diagnoses, investigations and treatment boundaries
Red Flags
When symptoms need GP, urgent care or another regulated health service
Book an Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Consultation
Memberships & Credentials
ATCM Member (Professional Association)
Course Director/Lecturer, MATCM
ALS/PHTLS Certified
MSc & BSc in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Clinical Focus
Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Assessment
Comfort, Movement & General Wellbeing
Chinese Herbal Medicine Consultations
Safety Screening & Referral Awareness
Languages Spoken
English (Fluent)
Mandarin 普通話 (Native)
Cantonese 廣東話 (Fluent)
"I bring a safety-led, teaching-informed approach to acupuncture and Chinese medicine: careful assessment, clear boundaries and treatment plans that patients can understand."