|
Acupuncture
|
|
Acupuncture is the stimulation of special points on the body, usually by insertion of fine needles. How the points to be treated are selected depends on the teaching and background of the practitioner. 'Traditional' acupuncture theory sees illness in terms of excess or deficiencies in various exogenous and endogenous factors and treatment is aimed at restoring balance. Needles are inserted in specific points which lie under the skin on invisible channels. The channels carry energy and are called 'meridians'. 'Western' acupuncture tends to be used by practitioners who also have an orthodox medical training and builds on Western style diagnosis. Here treatment may be based on 'trigger spot' stimulation as well as the more traditional meridian model. Which patients or conditions would benefit most? A recent overview of systematic reviews' looked at the evidence of effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of dental pain, low back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis, stroke, smoking cessation and weight loss. Further information on low back pain is available from a Royal College of General Practitioners review.' The conclusions of most relevance to primary care were: -there is reasonable evidence supporting the use of acupuncture for chronic low back pain -it is not possible to state with certainty that acupuncture is effective in the treatment of neck pain -acupuncture is not more effective than placebo acupuncture for smoking cessation. The fact that acupuncture is not more effective than placebo acupuncture for smoking cessation does not mean that it is entirely without effect. In fact, it is associated with a sizeable placebo effect, which leads to immediate cessation in about 35% of all patients. These non specific effects could be worth exploiting in clinical practice. In addition there is some evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of migraine and in dysmenorrhoe. Qualifications Medically qualified acupuncturists Doctors may train and become members of the British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS). A basic training course of 24 training hours covers the basic concepts of acupuncture and enables the doctor to obtain a Certificate of Basic Competence (COBC). Medical practitioners are encouraged by BMAS to work towards full accreditation status and be awarded the Diploma of Medical Acupuncture (Dip Med Ac). Physiotherapists qualified in acupuncture The Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP) is a clinical interest group of the professional body representing chartered physiotherapists who use acupuncture. There are four categories of membership: o associate physiotherapy members have not yet undertaken training o basic members have done 30 hours training o accredited members have done 80 hours training o advanced members have done at least 200 hours of training. Non medically qualified acupuncturists The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) represents the largest group of practitioners and works with relevant training colleges to set standards of education and training. Members of the BAcC have completed a training of at least three years in traditional acupuncture and western medical studies appropriate to the practice of acupuncture. They carry the letters MBAcC after their name. Finding a Therapist Medically qualified acupuncturists The WAS publishes a list of doctors who have the Diploma of Medical Acupuncture certificate. Further information is available from: British Medical Acupuncture Society Royal London Homeopathic Hospital 60 Great Ormond Street London WC1 N 3HR Tel: 020 7278 1615 website: www.medical-acupuncture.co.uk email: bmasadmin@aol.com Chartered physiotherapists practising acupuncture AACP maintains a register of physiotherapist acupuncture practitioners. Further information is available from: Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists Secretariat Abbey View Complementary Clinic The Medical Centre Shaftesbury Dorset SP7 8DH Tel: 01747 861151 website: www.aacp.uk.com Non medically qualified acupuncturists The BAcC publishes details of its members in an annual Register of Practitioners which can be obtained from BAcC for f3.50. Alternatively a list of practitioners in a particular area can be requested free of charge. Further information is available from: The British Acupuncture Council 63 Jeddo Road London W12 9HQ Tel: 020 8735 0400 website: www.acupuncture.org.uk |