British Acupuncture Council

29/09/2025

It's great to see acupuncture getting positive coverage in this weekend's 'Mail on Sunday' in which it was highlighted as an effective treatment for knee pain and knee-related conditions such as osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that affects around ten million people in the UK. With over 100,000 people currently waiting for knee surgery on the NHS, it is clearly a significant problem and a life-limiting factor for many. There is a good evidence base for the success of acupuncture in treating osteo-arthritis, and you can read more about it in a detailed factsheet on our website https://acupuncture.org.uk/fact-sheets/osteoarthritis-knee/ If you want to try acupuncture for knee and joint pain, go to acupuncture.org.uk/find-an-acupuncturist to find your nearest, degree-level trained, PSA regulated Traditional acupuncture practitioner.

29/09/2025

It’s great to see acupuncture getting positive coverage in this weekend’s ‘Mail on Sunday’ in which it was highlighted as an effective treatment for knee pain and knee-related conditions such as osteo-arthritis. Osteo-arthritis is a degenerative condition that affects around ten million people in the UK. With over 100,000 people currently waiting for knee surgery on the NHS, it is clearly a significant problem and a life-limiting factor for many. There is a good evidence base for the success of acupuncture in treating osteo-arthritis, and you can read more about it in a detailed factsheet on our website (link in bio). If you want to try acupuncture for knee and joint pain, go to acupuncture.org.uk/find-an-acupuncturist to find your nearest, degree-level trained, PSA regulated Traditional acupuncture practitioner.

27/08/2025

Have you ever wondered about differences in the way the Chinese, Indian and Western traditions use herbs?

Chinese herbalist and CEO of the British Acupuncture Council*, Alex Jacobs hosts a unique cross-herbal tradition roundtable discussion with Ayurveda practitioner, Dr Ayu Sathyavathi S., and pan-herbal tradition expert Simon Mills at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden (recorded in May 2024). You can watch it on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTOh3Y2Twlc&list=PLfE_FxFoXosLHFtNpahLl3ek7BbpHmfOQ

These three experienced herbalists discuss how they use herbs such as ginger, cinnamon, fennel seed and turmeric in different ways according to their own traditions.

If you are interested in studying herbal medicine of any tradition, check out this website for guidance on where to study:
https://lnkd.in/eZS-AHAv

And for Chinese Medicine Herbal courses please visit: https://lnkd.in/etKEYG7M
Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine

22/08/2025

The Cultivating Tradition podcast: new episode available!
We're thrilled to share our latest podcast episode with you - a panel discussion from The UK Conference of Chinese Medicine 2025: 'The global future of Chinese medicine'

Chinese medicine has the potential to revolutionise healthcare. Everyone has a personal view of how it has transformed countless lives. So, why does it often feel like a struggle to really help it to land fully in modern Western society? We have made progress, but we can go so much further. The room heard from John Hughes PhD, head of the WHO co-operating centre for Traditional Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) in the UK, as he explained the soon-to-be-published 10 year WHO strategy on TCIM. John was then joined for a further panel discussion on the global future of Chinese medicine, by representatives from the BAcC, RCHM, ETCMA and ATCM and it is this panel discuss that we bring to you this week.

Subscribe to the podcast to catch up on previous episodes and be notified when new ones are released.

20/08/2025

Join Alex for a lunchtime live on our Facebook Group

Join us on Tuesday 26 August for a lunchtime live session from 1.00pm to 2.00pm in our members' Facebook group.
Alex will be sharing updates on some of the exciting projects that the staff and committees are working on, followed by plenty of time for your questions.
If this event proves popular, we're hoping to make it a regular feature. The aim is to help you feel more connected to the work we do and to ensure you have a say in the future of our membership and profession.
If you haven't already joined our Facebook group—which has been lovingly set up and cared for by members—please consider doing so. We owe a huge thank you to Colette Assor FBAcC for establishing the group in 2020. It continues to be a pleasure working alongside Colette and Sahar Hooti as part of the admin team.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/baccmembers/

You can join using the link provided and remember to include your membership number and answer the other membership questions. Check your copy of enews this week as it will have your membership number in there.

13/08/2025

Exclusive to BAcC Members only: A ten-part series by Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallée –
Acu. brings you the first the first in a ten-part series on the symbolism of numbers by Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallée - Symbolism of One, unity ⼀ or 壹 yi

Log in to your member account today to access the first in the series

08/08/2025

We have a new Cultivating Traditions podcast for you.

This was filmed live at the UK Conference of Chinese Medicine 2025 featuring Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee, Yair Maimon and Conny Cooper MBAcC – hear three conference speakers talk about the conference theme of ‘Cycles of Life’ and how it relates to practice. This edition also contains a special thank you to Mark Bovey FBAcC and his lifetime dedication to acupuncture and the BAcC.

Go over to our website for links to your favorite podcast platform - https://acupuncture.org.uk/the-cultivating-tradition-podcast/

11/07/2025

The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) today published their response to the NHS Long Term Plan, "Fit for the Future". You can read the full article here: https://acupuncture.org.uk/news/psa-accredited-acupuncture-is-a-vital-solution-for-the-nhs-10-year-health-plan/

The BAcC highlights the crucial, often underestimated role, that BAcC member acupuncturists can play in addressing the profound challenges facing UK healthcare.

Integrating highly trained and Professional Standards Authority (PSA) accredited traditional acupuncturists is not just an alternative, but an evidence-based, cost-effective, and patient-centred solution, essential to the future success of the NHS.

07/07/2025

The Summer edition of our wonderful Acu Magazine is out now and it’s a holiday bumper edition with plenty of inspiring reads for members and non-members alike.

Take your pick from our regular highlight ‘Just my Point’ written by renowned scholar and practitioner Peter Firebrace. In this season’s Acu, Peter shares his love for Du 20, Bai hui ("the Puppet Master’s String") and what it offers practitioner and patient.

We also hear from new graduate, Grant Clerehugh on setting up his new practice space in the Sheffield Clinic of Complementary Medicine, a brilliant read for anyone looking for inspiration in their own clinics.

There is an article from members Kelly Turnbull and Roy Haitzin on the success of the Brighton based ‘Brighter Days Project’ an initiative set up to provide free acupuncture treatment to local people in need.

Plus a guest editorial from our first ever CEO Mike O' Farrell, Sandra Hill on the character 'Tong' and a special Summer Qigong flow from Duncan McGechie.

You can read Acu magazine, following this link https://acupuncture.org.uk/acu/ If you’re a BAcC member you get access to extra articles so don’t forget to log in beforehand! Happy Summer reading!

01/07/2025

Last week CEO Alex Jacobs and team presented a session at the IPM Congress together with Osama Amnar from the Professional Standards Agency, and BAcC Acupuncturist Fleur Clackson showcasing our flagship NHS integration project with the Inner Gloucester Primary Care Network which provides mental health support through the the skills of our highly trained acupuncturists.
The UK is currently experiencing a mental health crisis, and BAcC acupuncturists, who are accredited by the PSA are best placed to help alleviate the strain on local NHS services.
You can find out more about the project by visiting our website and you can watch the presentation on our YouTube channel -
https://youtu.be/xr00Jo9n4IA

18/06/2025

One year progress update from the CEO – Tonight - Wednesday 18 June 7.00pm – 9.00pm

Alex is celebrating one year in post as CEO of our cherished BAcC, and he would like to share all he has learned and achieved, as well as his plans for the future. He has chosen a webinar as the most interactive way to convey this information. After all, he has accomplished and experienced so much in the role that a written recap would take all day—and no one has time for that. He also understands that not every update will resonate with every member, which is why this webinar allows for focused and relevant discussions.
To ensure the session addresses your priorities, he’s asked for your questions in advance. This will help him identify common themes to cover in depth. Here’s an outline of what he plans to discuss:
• What the BAcC does and what it should be doing.
• How the organisation communicates transparently and responsively with members.
• How the BAcC provides support both individually and for building community.
• Cost considerations and value for money.
• How the organisation regulates its members and its expectations of them.
• Efforts to promote acupuncture, support practitioners, and advocate for the profession.
• The evolving vision for the future, with some exciting announcements ahead.

09/06/2025

The NHS has called for 200,000 new blood donors because of a shortage of blood but blood donation regulations still unnecessarily prevent patients of professionally trained and regulated acupuncturists giving blood.

The British Acupuncture Council has consistently lobbied for a change in these regulations. In 2017 it was recommended by the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood and Tissues and Organs (SaBTO), that patients of appropriately trained acupuncturists should be allowed to donate blood but these recommendations have not yet been implemented.

Our research and policy manager Ian Appleyard has explained the situation in this blog post and we call again for ministers to implement our practical simple suggestion. This would allow acupuncture patients to help save the lives of others through the gift of blood donation.

https://acupuncture.org.uk/news/unnecessary-regulations-prevent-acupuncture-patients-from-giving-blood/

As reported in BBC News today, the NHS has raised significant concern over an estimated 200,000 blood donor shortfall and has urgently called for more donors to come forward. The British Acupuncture Council has consistently lobbied for a change in blood donation regulations because they are unnecess...