Know What Your Signing Up For!          

Many people are unaware that training in Acupuncture varies enormously. 

Some Practioners who describe themselves as “Acupunturists” have received no training in any of the Far Eastern Medical knowledge that underpins the use of Acupuncture points.

They may have done a course which merely shows how to anatomically locate the Acupuncture points.

 I recommend that you ask any Practioner who offers you Acupuncture, be they a GP, Physiotherapist, or Nurse etc “ what length of Training have you had in Acupuncture, and who are you registered  with?”

Registration with a professional Acupuncture organisation ensures insurance.

Do not agree to treatment without being fully informed of this and if necessary before you sign up check with their professional body.

 Members of any of the professional bodies listed below will be able to show you their current

Membership certificate.

 I offer you the following information to help you decide whether to let a practioner treat you.

 You can also gather your own information off the web – try typing in acupuncture.org.uk  

MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH ACUPUNCTURE COUNCIL (MBAcC) 020 873 50400 est 1984

 The members accredited by this Council are required to have attended and passed a three year Course; 3,600 hours of study, (450 days) including a 6 months clinical  whereby students perform supervised treatment of patients.

Until 1999 this qualification was know as a Licence in Traditional Acupuncture, ( Lic.AC) since then it is a BA Honours course.

Members are also required to continue to attend Traditional Acupuncture courses after qualification to maintain continuing professional development.

Members undergo extensive training, in Traditional Chinese medicine, and Western biomedical sciences.

Abide by strict codes of safe practice, ethics, and professional conduct.

Are covered by full liability insurance.

Are able to issue Blood Donors with certificates that show they attend an Acupuncturist recognised by the Blood Donor Service. 

BRITISH ACADEMY OF WESTERN MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE   (BAWMA)

ACUPUNCTURE ASSOCIATION OF CHARTERED PHYSIOTHERAPISTS (AACP)

BRITISH MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE SOCIETY (BMAS) 01606 786782

Membership of this Society is only open to Doctors, Nurses, Physiotherapists and Oesteopaths.

Training involves 1 day courses totalling 100 hours

REGISTER OF CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE (RCHM) 01603 623994 est 1987

& THE BRITISH KANPO ASSOCIATION..

This register is part of the larger European Herbal Practioners Association.

Practioners in this register have frequently completed an 3 year BAcC recognised Acupuncture Course first. Herbal course are 1-3 years, and depending on whether the practioner prescribes patent or loose herbs. So please check which course they have done.

Chinese herbal medicines are very efficacious when prescribed well, but like western pharmacology, there is a possibility they could have side effects.

As the RMCH website points out” there are now a great number of people and shops in the UK who claim to be able to Practice Chinese medicine”…” it should be noted that forged certificates are not unheard of”….