Our grateful thanks to the British Acupuncture Council and to Rhiannon Griffiths for their contributuion to our radio report, which you can hear again via the audio player at the bottom of this page.
Acupuncture has been practised for thousands of years and remains one of the world's most widely used complementary therapies. In the UK alone, millions of treatments are carried out every year, with people seeking help for a wide range of conditions including chronic pain, headaches, migraines and musculoskeletal problems.
Traditional acupuncture originated in China and is based on the concept that health depends on the balanced flow of energy, known as Qi (pronounced "chee"), through pathways in the body called meridians. Practitioners believe that illness or pain can occur when this flow is disrupted and use very fine needles inserted at specific points on the body to help restore balance.
What does the science say? While traditional acupuncture is rooted in ancient philosophy, modern researchers have been investigating how it may work from a scientific perspective.
Studies suggest that acupuncture may stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue, encourage the release of the body's natural pain-relieving chemicals such as endorphins and activate areas of the brain involved in pain processing. Researchers are still exploring the precise biological mechanisms involved.
Importantly, acupuncture is not regarded as a cure-all, and the strength of evidence varies depending on the condition being treated.
What do the NHS and NICE say? The NHS recognises acupuncture as a complementary therapy and notes that it is available in some GP practices, pain clinics and hospices, although access varies across the country. The NHS explains that the evidence for acupuncture is strongest for certain conditions, particularly some forms of chronic pain, while for many other conditions the evidence remains less clear. It also advises patients to continue seeking appropriate medical assessment for their symptoms and not to use acupuncture as a substitute for conventional care.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which provides evidence-based guidance for the NHS, recommends that healthcare professionals consider a single course of acupuncture or dry needling for adults with chronic primary pain where appropriate. Chronic primary pain refers to persistent pain where the pain itself is the main condition, rather than being fully explained by another underlying disease.
NICE also supports the use of acupuncture for certain headache disorders, including chronic tension-type headaches and migraines in specific circumstances.
When developing its chronic pain guidance, NICE reviewed dozens of clinical studies and concluded that acupuncture could reduce pain and improve quality of life in the short term when compared with usual care or sham acupuncture. The committee considered there to be evidence of a genuine treatment effect, although longer-term benefits remain less certain.
Does it hurt? One of the biggest misconceptions about acupuncture is that it is painful. In reality, the needles used are extremely fine - much thinner than those used for injections or blood tests.
Most people report little or no discomfort, although they may experience sensations such as tingling, warmth, heaviness or a dull ache around the needle site. Sessions are generally relaxing and can last between 20 minutes and an hour.
Is it safe? When performed by a suitably trained practitioner using sterile, single-use needles, acupuncture is generally considered very safe.
Minor side effects can include temporary soreness, slight bruising or minor bleeding where the needles are inserted. Serious complications are rare but can occur if treatment is carried out incorrectly.
Before undergoing acupuncture, you should inform your practitioner if you are pregnant, have a bleeding disorder, take blood-thinning medication or have any significant medical conditions.
Choosing a qualified traditional acupuncturist. Unlike some healthcare professions, acupuncture is not subject to statutory regulation in the UK. That makes it especially important to choose a properly trained practitioner.
If you are seeking traditional acupuncture privately, look for someone who:
A good starting point is the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC), the UK's largest professional body for traditional acupuncturists. The BAcC maintains an online directory of accredited members, allowing patients to search for qualified practitioners in their local area.
You can also check whether a practitioner belongs to a register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
A complementary approach. Many people choose acupuncture alongside conventional medical care rather than instead of it. Some experience significant improvements in their symptoms, while others notice little or no benefit.
As with many complementary therapies, the evidence differs depending on the condition being treated, and ongoing research continues to explore where acupuncture may have the greatest role within modern healthcare.
Whether viewed through the lens of ancient tradition or contemporary science, acupuncture remains a fascinating area of medicine that continues to attract both public interest and scientific investigation.
Listen to this weeks radio report
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