Acupuncture Awareness Week
25th March – 31st March 2024
The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) is the UK’s largest, member-led, professional body for traditional acupuncturists. The BAcC aims to establish the highest standards of professional practice for the Acupuncture profession in the UK. BAcC is committed to ensuring all patients receive professional care during their acupuncture treatment.
The organisation has a 3,000 strong membership organisation and is proud to support acupuncturists on their journey from student through to full practising member.
Through ongoing research, the British Acupuncture Council has shown that treatment can benefit arthritic conditions and pain associated with this headaches, menopausal symptoms, anxiety and stress.
A bit about Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a treatment derived from ancient Chinese medicine in which thin needles are inserted at strategic sites into the body for therapeutic or preventative purposes. It is seen as a form of complementary or alternative medicine. Traditional acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy or life force flows through the body in channels call meridians know as Qi (pronounced chee).
70% of people questioned in a new poll commissioned by BAcC as part of Acupuncture Awareness Week 2023 said they would prefer to try a complementary therapy, such as acupuncture, before being prescribed a prescription painkiller.
Due to current NHS waiting lists, over a third (36%) said that they would now be ‘more likely’ than ever before to seek help from a private, complementary therapist.
Nearly a quarter of those questioned (23%) said they were concerned the treatment might hurt, with one in five (19%) saying a fear of needles would put them off acupuncture.
As we know, the thinnest acupuncture needle is ¼ of the thickness of a standard hypodermic needle – about the thickness of the fullest human hair – with acupuncture reported by many patients to be deeply relaxing.
Traditional acupuncturists work with other techniques including moxibustion and acupressure, and that traditional treatment is based on a thorough consultation – a holistic overview of a patient’s health, lifestyle and any other contributing factors such as diet.
Sarah Cooper-Olsen at Park View Clinic and a member of the British Acupuncture Council, “4 million acupuncture treatments are carried out each year in the UK by traditional acupuncturists and this figure is rising, in 2012 this figure was 2.3 million! Research shows myths surrounding the therapy remain strong. Acupuncture Awareness Week, aims to banish the myths and provide all the answers for those people who want to try acupuncture.”
Sarah and Gill have helped many patients with arthritic pain, hormonal imbalances and IVF, stress anxiety and depression.
Our two acupuncturists each have 30 years of experience and both are previous Registered Nurses.
LicAcu CertBeijing RGN
- Member of British Acupuncture Council
- Certificate of Beijing
- Licentiate in Acupuncture
- Registered General Nurse
Sarah Cooper-Olsen
Sarah grew up in Worthing and became a Registered Nurse. While nursing she sustained a back injury and found that Acupuncture was the only thing that actually helped her.
Sarah gained a Licentiate in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1992 from British College of Acupuncture. In 1998 she went to China where she received a Certificate of Beijing.
In 1996 Sarah and Jan (chiropractor) set up Park View Clinic, which now has two acupuncturists, 2 chiropractors and a sports injury massage therapist.
She finds that the experience she gained nursing on wards invaluable when helping to manage the various conditions presenting at the clinic. She constantly updates her skills through post graduate study days and conferences.
Sarah also enjoys playing golf, yoga, walking, theatre and camping.
LicAcu CertBeijing RM
- Member of British Acupuncture Council
- Certificate of Beijing
- Licentiate in Acupuncture
- Registered Midwife
Gill Carpenter
Gill trained as a nurse at St George’s Hospital in London and as midwife at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester. Her interest in acupuncture originates from travelling for 2 years in Asia and in The Far East.
Gill completed a 3 year course in Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1992 to gain a Licentiate in Acupuncture.
In 1994 she studied in China and gained her Certificate of Beijing.
Since 2000 Gill has done acupuncture full time – partly at Park View and partly in Emsworth. Gill loves the outdoors with country walks and travelling.
For further information
If you have any queries or questions beyond our section on Acupuncture, please feel free to call us on 01903 230066 or email on [email protected]
