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How to Choose an Acupuncturist |
People choose to have acupuncture for many reasons, and are turning to it in increasing numbers. However the practice of acupuncture remains unregulated in the UK. So, when you look in the phone book or do an internet search and are faced with an array of practitioners, how do you choose one? In the absence of regulation, how do you know if they are properly qualified or practise safely? And what do the letters after their name actually mean? Here we will explain briefly some of the different bodies to which acupuncturists in the UK belong, the type of acupuncture they practise, how long they have trained, and advise you what you need to look for before booking an appointment. Practitioners in the UK will usually be either 'traditional' or 'western' in their underlying philosophy, training, diagnosis and treatment methods. Acupuncture training in the UK, whether traditional or western, places great importance on evidence-based clinical research. Within traditional acupuncture you will find practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Five Element acupuncture - both styles are based on the classical literature of Chinese Medicine but emphasise different aspects. Traditional acupuncture Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners may describe themselves as 'traditional' acupuncturists or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) or Chinese Medicine (CM) practitioners. They take a holistic approach to diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases by identifying the underlying 'pattern' or root of the illness and treating that, not just the symptoms. Treatment may combine acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, moxibustion, Tui na massage and dietary and lifestyle advice. It is underpinned by concepts such as Qi and Yin/ Yang. This is the style practised in China today. Five Element This style of acupuncture was developed by an Englishman, JR Worsley, in the 1960s and 70s and has many practitioners in the UK and USA, and, to a lesser extent, Europe and Canada. Treatment may include acupuncture and moxibustion and focuses on the patient's 'spirit', with the emphasis on preventative treatment and minimum therapeutic intervention. Diagnosis is based on the theory that illness is often caused by the seven emotions, and by assessing signs such as the patient's personality, colour, sound and odour. Western acupuncture Also known as western medical acupuncture or medical acupuncture. Treatment is not based on ancient Chinese theories but on formulae developed for each particular illness and based on a western medical diagnosis. Practitioners are already qualified doctors, nurses or other health professionals. If you receive acupuncture on the NHS it will almost certainly be this style. |
Professional Bodies - Traditional ATCM Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine Traditional Chinese Medicine BAcC British Acupuncture Council Professional Bodies - Western BAWMA (British Academy of Western Medical Acupuncture) BMAS (British Medical Acupuncture Society) AACP (Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists) |
Length of Training At least 3 years in traditional Chinese acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine (usually both) and western biomedical sciences including anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology. Length of training - at least 3,600 hours, to degree level or equivalent. At least 3 years in traditional acupuncture, Chinese medicine and western biomedical sciences including anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology. Length of training - at least 3,600 hours, to degree level or equivalent Length of Training 9 weekends over the course of 8 months. Members are already qualified medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors. Foundation course - two weekends (four days) or Monday to Friday (five days) Post Foundation training course - one day Members are already qualified as doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, health visitors, physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors and podiatrists. Foundation course - 80 hours Post-foundation training - one day Members are chartered physiotherapists. |
Example To illustrate the difference between traditional and western styles, take the example of two patients with knee pain. One patient has a chronic knee condition with a dull ache which is worse when the weather is cold and damp. The other patient twisted their knee recently and it is inflamed and throbbing. Both styles of acupuncture are likely to use the same local points around the knee. But in traditional acupuncture the two patients are understood to have different underlying causes for their pain, and different symptoms, and will therefore receive different treatment. The first patient may be given moxibustion, a warming therapy, in addition to needles. For the second patient, the practitioner may select certain acupuncture points believed to reduce inflammation. In western acupuncture the two patients may receive exactly the same treatment, based on a selection of points which have been researched and established as being an effective treatment for knee pain. Ultimately your practitioner should be someone with whom you feel comfortable as you will be sharing information with them about your health, and you may well be entering into a therapeutic relationship which lasts several months or longer. Having satisfied yourself as to their qualifications, training, safe practice and professional membership you will learn a great deal by simply ringing them or visiting them for a chat before you decide whether you want to start treatment with them. Look for a practitioner who: - has completed training appropriate to the type of acupuncture they practise - is a member of a professional body - uses sterilised, single-use needles - holds environmental health certificates* - one for themselves and one for their premises - from the local council *(These certificates should be on display in the clinic. There are lengthy environmental regulations with which acupuncturists should comply. Inspection covers such topics as training and competency, hazards, infection control, cleanliness, personal hygiene, equipment, use and disposal of needles, record-keeping and premises. For example, floors in an acupuncture clinic must be impermeable such as wood or lino, not carpet.) - keeps a written record of your consultation and treatment - explains your treatment and obtains your consent before proceeding - will not advise you to abandon any western medication or treatment you are receiving - does not make exaggerated claims about the effectiveness of treatment Sources "What is Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture?" Peter Mole. Journal of Chinese Medicine 85. October 2007 www.atcm.co.uk www.acupuncture.org.uk www.bawma.co.uk www.medical-acupuncture.co.uk www.aacp.org.uk |