Traditional acupuncture has been used for over 2,000 years to alleviate back pain and British Acupuncture Council members have for many many years been successfully treating patients for this condition either in private practice or working within the NHS. In effect, therefore, these new guidelines are a rubber stamp of the positive work already being undertaken as well as an endorsement of the wealth of research evidence now available in this area.
Back pain affects more than 1.1 million people in the UK with 95% of patients suffering from lower back pain problems [1]. Recent research has shown that acupuncture treatment can be effective in treating back pain [2] and introducing acupuncture treatment on the NHS can be very beneficial for patients who are suffering from the one of the nation’s main reasons for work-related sickness absence [3].
It is essential for patients to choose an acupuncturist who is registered with a professional body. British Acupuncture Council members have extensive undergraduate degree level training in acupuncture and biomedical sciences appropriate to the practice of acupuncture in the UK. They are bound by strict codes of ethics, and safe practice and professional conduct.
Every patient who visits a British Acupuncture Council practitioner is given a full consultation prior to treatment in order for a traditional diagnosis and treatment plan to be drawn up.
The profession of traditional acupuncture continues to be a beneficial and effective therapy for a variety of conditions and the thorough consultation and diagnostic process is of paramount importance to its efficacy.
The British Acupuncture Council is working towards the forthcoming statutory regulation of acupuncture to ensure the highest standards of professional excellence are maintained.
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