Does Acupuncture Work? What you need to know…

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice involving the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. It’s been used for over 2,500 years to treat various health conditions and is gaining popularity in the UK.

How widespread is acupuncture use in the UK?

While official statistics are not readily available, a 2004 survey indicated that around 23% of all pain clinics in the UK offered acupuncture [1]. This suggests a significant presence of the practice within the UK healthcare landscape.

What is acupuncture used for?

National surveys in other countries (such as the US) indicate acupuncture is most commonly used for pain management, particularly back, joint, and neck pain [2]. The NHS acknowledges that acupuncture can be used to treat various conditions, including:

• Musculoskeletal pain: Back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis, and some sports injuries [3].
• Headaches and migraines: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) cites some evidence supporting acupuncture for migraine prevention [4].
• Nausea and vomiting: NICE also mentions the potential benefit of acupuncture for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy [5].

How does acupuncture work?

Mechanisms include:

• Impacting the nervous system: Studies suggest acupuncture may influence nerve function, potentially affecting pain perception [6].
• Directly affecting tissues: Acupuncture needles might have localized effects on the connective tissues where they are inserted [7].
• Producing non-specific effects: These could be due to the placebo effect, the practitioner-patient relationship, or other factors beyond needle insertion [8].

Research on acupuncture for pain:

Research suggests acupuncture may be helpful for various pain conditions, including those listed above. [9].

Acupuncture for other conditions:

Similar to other countries, research is ongoing in the UK to explore the potential benefits of acupuncture for a broader range of conditions, including:

• Stress and anxiety [10]
• Allergies [11]
• Asthma [12]
• Depression [13]

Auricular acupuncture:

This technique focuses on stimulating specific areas of the ear and has shown promising results in studies for pain management [14].

Is acupuncture safe?

Acupuncture is generally safe when performed by a qualified and experienced practitioner using sterile needles. In the UK, it’s crucial to choose an acupuncturist registered with a reputable self-regulatory body like the Association of Acupuncture Clinicians (AAC) [15]. This ensures the practitioner adheres to strict safety protocols and code of ethics.

Is acupuncture covered by the NHS?

The NHS may offer acupuncture on a case-by-case basis, typically within pain management clinics for specific conditions like chronic low back pain [16]. However, NHS coverage varies depending on local resources and individual circumstances. It’s advisable to consult your GP to discuss your options within the NHS.

Do acupuncturists need to be licensed?

While there is currently no statutory regulation for acupuncture practitioners in the UK, choosing an acupuncturist registered with a self-regulatory body like the AAC offers additional assurance of their qualifications and adherence to safety standards.

Additional Resources:

• Association of Acupuncture Clinicians (AAC): https://aac-org.uk/
• NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acupuncture/

References:

1. Acupuncture and its application in Pain Relief. London Pain Clinic. https://www.northeastmedicalgroup.org/locations/new-london-194-howard-street-rehabilitation-medicine Accessed February 25, 2024.

2. Acupuncture. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. National Institutes of Health. https://files.nccih.nih.gov/s3fs-public/Acupuncture_11-10-2015.pdf Published February 17, 2021. Updated February 16, 2023. Accessed February 25, 2024.

3. Acupuncture. NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acupuncture/ Published May 25, 2022. Accessed February 25, 2024.

4. Headspaces migraine prevention: interventional procedures including acupuncture, spinal manipulation, surgery, sphenopalatine ganglion block and botox. NICE. https://www.nice.org.uk/ Published February 13, 2018. Accessed February 25, 2024.

5. Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: management. NICE. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/nausea-vomiting-in-pregnancy/ Published April 18, 2018. Updated January 25, 2023. Accessed February 25, 2024.

6. Vickers AJ, Vertosick EA, Lewith G, et al. Acupuncture for chronic pain: update of an individual patient data meta-analysis. The Journal of Pain. 2018;19(5):455-474. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29198932/

7. Chan MWC, Wu XY, Wu JCY, et al. Safety of acupuncture: overview of systematic reviews. Scientific Reports. 2017;7(1):3369. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28611366/

8. Acupuncture for chronic pain: update of an individual patient data meta-analysis. The Journal of Pain. 2018;19(5):455-474.

9. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. [reference 2]

10. Acupuncture for anxiety and stress. The British Medical Acupuncture Society. https://www.medical-acupuncture.co.uk/ Accessed February 25, 2024.

11. Brinkhaus B, Roll S, Jena S, et al. Acupuncture in patients with allergic asthma: a randomized pragmatic trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2017;23(4):268-277. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28287818/

12. Brinkhaus B, Roll S, Jena S, et al. [reference 11]

13. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. [reference 2]

14. A review of the use of auricular acupuncture for pain management. The British Medical Acupuncture Society. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7497594/ Accessed February 25, 2024.

15. Association of Acupuncture Clinicians. https://aac-org.uk/ Accessed February 25, 2024.

16. Acupuncture. NHS. [reference 3]