Acupuncture Awareness Week 27th February – 4th March 2012
Research out today has revealed that over 21% of the British public think an acupuncturist’s
needle is as large as that used in an injection, proving that despite the ancient
Chinese medicine’s rising popularity there are still a host of common misconceptions
surrounding the treatment.
Sarah Cooper-Olsen at Park View Clinic is a Worthing acupuncturist and a member of
the British Acupuncture Council, the leading self-regulatory body for the practice,
comments on the research: “2.3 million acupuncture treatments are carried out each
year by traditional acupuncturists and this figure is rising, yet this research shows
myths surrounding the therapy still remain strong. Acupuncture Awareness Week, the
first of its kind, aims to banish the myths and provide all the answers for those
people who want to try acupuncture.”
Size does matter - Acupuncture needles are in fact the same width as a human hair
and some are just 0.13mm in length, yet many people believe they are just like the
needles used to take blood or give an injection. The research, in which 3,000 UK
men and women were questioned, also found that over a quarter of people (26%) think
an acupuncture needle is similar in size to a sewing needle.
The placebo effect - The belief that acupuncture provides a placebo effect is well
documented and this latest research confirms 40% of consumers still feel this is
the case, however the treatment is widely considered to be beneficial for a range
of illnesses and symptoms and there is substantial body of evidence to support this.
In fact the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines
recommend acupuncture as a first line treatment for persistent, non-specific low
back pain. Interestingly 45% of those polled think acupuncture can treat many medical
conditions so a mind-shift is taking place.
The independent research was carried out on behalf of the British Acupuncture Council
to launch the first ever Acupuncture Awareness Week in the UK. Supported by TV presenter
Clare Nasir who used acupuncture as an adjunct to IVF treatment and is now the mother
of Sienna, Acupuncture Awareness Week (taking place 27th February – 4th March 2012)
aims to give consumers all the information they need about treatment. Visit www.introducingacupuncture.co.uk
for more information and personal stories from men and women who have had acupuncture.
Safety First - Nearly 17% of consumers polled are put off having acupuncture because
they don’t think it’s regulated and around 14% say their barrier to treatment is
they feel it’s unsafe. Additionally three quarters (72%) say they did not know that
practitioners must seek a licence to practice from local councils before they begin
treatments.
Despite popular opinion, acupuncturists have first-degree level qualifications and
adhere to codes of safe practice and professional conduct in order to be registered
and insured by the British Acupuncture Council. The Council guarantees excellence
in training, safe practice and professional conduct so patients are advised to look
for a practitioner who has British Acupuncture Council membership.
Other Popular Misconceptions about Acupuncture
- Three quarters had no idea that children and pregnant women can safely be treated
with the therapy
- According to two studies published in the British Medical Journal (2001) the risk
of serious adverse reaction to acupuncture is less than 1 in 10,000. This is far
less than many orthodox medical treatments.
- 26% of people surveyed say they are put off having acupuncture as they think it will
be painful. Most people find acupuncture to be very relaxing and not painful. Patients
often describe the needle sensation as a tingling or dull ache.
Notes to editors:
- 3,000 UK adults were questioned by One Poll 23 – 25th November 2011
- At Park View clinic we are offering a free assessment to all potential new patients,
then 50% off initial consultation.
- Case studies, images and free journalist consultations available upon request from
the British Acupuncture Council
About the British Acupuncture Council
The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) is the UK’s largest governing body of traditional
acupuncture with over 3,000 members - each of whom is an accredited practitioner
providing the highest standard of professional care to patients. BAcC members practice
a traditional, holistic style of acupuncture diagnosis and treatment based on a system
developed and refined over 2,000 years.
To achieve BAcC membership, practitioners must first undertake extensive training
in acupuncture (minimum three years full-time at BSc or BA degree level) which includes
physiology, anatomy and other biomedical sciences appropriate to the practice of
acupuncture and their expert practice skills are maintained by following a mandatory
individual programme of continuing professional development (CPD). BAcC membership
is also a mark of assurance of high standards in professionalism, training and safety.