Acupuncture
Acupuncture safety and regulation
There's no statutory regulation of acupuncture in England, butmany non-medical acupuncture practitioners are required to register with their local authority.
If you choose to have acupuncture, make sure your acupuncture practitioner is either a regulated healthcare professional such as a doctor, nurse of physiotherapist or a member of a recognised national acupuncture organisation.
The British Acupuncture Council holds a register of practitioners that has been vetted and approved by the Professional Standards Authority. If you decide to have traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture, you can visit this website to find a qualified acupuncturist near you.
When it's carried out by a qualified practitioner, acupuncture is generally very safe. Some people experience mild, short-lived side effects such as:
- pain where the needles puncture the skin
- bleeding or bruising where the needles puncture the skin
- drowsiness
- feeling sick
- feeling dizzy or faint
- worsening of pre-existing symptoms
If you have ableeding disorder, such as haemophilia, or are taking anticoagulants, talk to your GP before you have acupuncture.
Acupuncture is also not usually advised if you have a metal allergy or an infection in the area where needles may be inserted.
It's generally safe to have acupuncture when you're pregnant. However, let your acupuncture practitioner know if you're pregnant because certain acupuncture points can't be used safely during pregnancy.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Acupuncture is a treatment derived from ancient Chinese medicine. Fine needles are inserted at certain sites in the body for therapeutic or preventative purposes.
How acupuncture works
Western medical acupunctureis the use of acupuncture following a medical diagnosis. It involves stimulating sensory nerves under the skin and in the muscles of the body. This resultsin the body produc
Uses of acupuncture
Acupuncture practitioners sometimes called acupuncturists use acupuncture to treat a wide range of health conditions. However, the use of acupuncture isn't always based on rigorous scientific evidence
Acupuncture on the NHS
Acupuncture is sometimes available on the NHS, most often from GPs or physiotherapists, although access is limited. Most acupuncture patients pay for private treatment. The cost of acupuncture varies
How acupuncture is performed
An initial acupuncture session usuallylasts 20-40 minutes and involves an assessment of your general health, medical history and a physical examination, followed by insertion of the acupuncture needle
Acupuncture safety and regulation
There's no statutory regulation of acupuncture in England, butmany non-medical acupuncture practitioners are required to register with their local authority. If you choose to have acupuncture, make su
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