 | BRITISH ACUPUNCTURE COUNCIL |
Governing the Acupuncture ProfessionAcupuncture - Where style can make a differenceAcupuncture is an integral part of the rapid growth of complementary therapy
in the UK and with an increasing number of people seeking acupuncture treatment
it is important for patients and healthcare professionals to understand the
difference in the two styles most commonly on offer. Traditional Acupuncture as practised by the 1600 members of the British
Acupuncture Council (BACC) is an holistic approach to full body health based on
over 2000 years of developments and refinements in the Far East. Western-style
acupuncture is a more recent development practised predominantly by doctors and
physiotherapists which uses a limited range of acupuncture techniques. Dr. Andrew Stringer, a GP and Traditional Acupuncturist, believes very
strongly that Traditional Acupuncture has a leading role to play in the
treatment of illness in the UK. He argues that:
'A better understanding of the different styles of acupuncture is in the
best interests of patients. It is wrong to have some patients missing out on
the benefits of one style of acupuncture because they believe the style they
have had is the only one. Acupuncture is much more than placing needles in
painful areas.' Traditional Acupuncture is an holistic approach to the management of disease
as well as the maintenance of health. The skill of the traditional
acupuncturist lies in their ability to make a traditional diagnosis from what
is often a complex pattern of disharmony. The exact pattern and degree of
disharmony is unique to each individual and with traditional acupuncture will
be treated as such with a personalised treatment plan. Western acupuncture, by contrast, uses acupuncture needles and pressure
applied to parts of the body based on a western medical diagnosis. This form of
treatment is most frequently used for the management of pain and for muscle
damage, and is often applied locally to the problem area. As these conditions
are responsible for a large proportion of NHS consultations, the fact that over
1,000 GPs and many physiotherapists offer this style of acupuncture means that
more patients can get the help they need. There are, however, just as many patients who may benefit from having their
conditions assessed and managed in a more traditional way. Many patients seeing
their GP do not seem to fit into straightforward western diagnostic categories;
this makes the treatment of problems such as post-viral fatigue syndrome,
anxiety, insomnia and PMT, more difficult with western style acupuncture. The
traditional methods, looking as they do at broader patterns of disharmony, may
well be able to offer these patients a way back to improved health and
well-being. Acupuncture techniques are now being used on thousands of patients every
week by doctors and by those trained to be professional traditional
acupuncturists, a clear testimony of what more and more people are demanding.
These patients need to be sure that they are getting the style of acupuncture
that is most appropriate to their individual needs. The BACC is committed to providing information and education about the
acupuncture profession in the UK and to raising the standards of informed
choice among potential patients. It represents 1600 acupuncturists trained in
traditional techniques, all fully qualified and properly regulated. Information about Traditional Acupuncture and a list of members local to
your area can be obtained by telephoning 020-8964 0222 or writing to the BACC
at the address below. Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England No. 3066963
British Acupuncture Council
Park House
206-208 Latimer Road
London
W10 6RE  020-8735 0400
 020-8735 0440
 http://www.acupuncture.org.uk
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