As part of a series of activities to mark the very first World Acupuncture Day on Thursday 15 November 2018, acupuncturists all over the UK are writing to GPs to highlight the wealth of evidence showing that acupuncture is a valid healthcare choice.
This comes as chronic underfunding and workforce shortages have led to enormous pressure on the NHS, with clinicians struggling to meet rising demand.
Head of research at the British Acupuncture Council, Mark Bovey, says Chinese medicine is a viable option and could help the NHS deal with some of pressures on staff and facilities we’re all so concerned about : ‘More than 1,000 studies are carried out globally each year into the effectiveness of acupuncture, so evidence is emerging all the time to show that it works.
‘The evidence is particularly strong in the treatment of pain. One in five people in Europe live with moderate to severe chronic pain, and research shows that acupuncture can make a real difference to patients with low back pain, headache and migraine and osteoarthritis. In some cases it has even been shown to be more effective than pharmaceuticals.
‘Moreover, the world is also grappling with rising problem of opioid addiction, so clinicians have a real opportunity to explore other treatment options for pain.
‘There is also clinical evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating anxiety, which research suggests affects up to one in three people, and a whole range of other conditions such as infertility, constipation, rhinitis and depression.
‘If GPs referred patients for acupuncture for just some of these conditions, the pressure on the health service would be dramatically alleviated.’
World Acupuncture Day will be officially celebrated in Paris at a global conferencein UNESCO House, where more than 1,000 leading health professionals and researchers from around the world will exchange knowledge, skills and practices in acupuncture and moxibustion.
The event will showcase the latest scientific and clinical research that demonstrates the effectiveness of acupuncture in a wide range of conditions.
I’m a member of the British Acupuncture Council, whose voluntary register is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. My membership of this register demonstrates my commitment to high professional standards, to enhancing safety and delivering a better service.
Please be aware:
- You do not need a GP referral to seek treatment.
- While many health insurance policies meet all or some of the cost of acupuncture, some may require a GP referral.
- The NHS does not currently meet the costs of private acupuncture treatment.
To find out more about how acupuncture can support your physical health and mental well being, all you have to do is get in touch to arrange your free short consultation.
Online or by phone, and with no obligation at all, you can ask questions about any aspect of treatment, from what to wear to your sessions to the evidence-base of cutting edge research showing how acupuncture may help you cope better with specific complaints and conditions.