Acupuncture Association

27/11/2025

Why Join the Acupuncture Association?

The Acupuncture Association welcomes practitioners from a wide range of backgrounds. Our community is built on respect, collaboration, and a shared commitment to safe and effective practice. We do not judge practitioners by the level of their qualification, only by the quality and reputation of their training.

If your course meets recognised standards and reflects good, ethical practice, you are warmly invited to join us. Our aim is to bring practitioners together, not divide them. Whether you come from traditional, medical, or blended approaches, you will find a supportive environment that values your skills and your contribution to the profession.

Membership offers a sense of belonging within a united community, clear professional guidance, and connection with colleagues who care about raising standards and protecting the public. It also connects members with the wider community of ARA registrants, fostering collaboration across the profession. If you are looking for a professional home that appreciates your journey and recognises the value of diverse training routes, the Acupuncture Association is here for you.

24/11/2025

How Acupuncture Supports the Body as We Move into Winter

As the colder months arrive, many people notice their energy shifting. The drop in temperature can make the body work a little harder, and it is common to experience increased tension, lower mood, disrupted sleep, or seasonal aches.

Acupuncture offers gentle support by helping the body stay balanced during this seasonal change.

Periodic treatments can encourage smoother circulation, ease tight muscles, and support the immune system, and many people also find that acupuncture promotes a sense of steadiness, which can be especially valuable when daylight hours shorten.

Winter is a natural time for rest and restoration, acupuncture works with this rhythm, helping the body conserve energy while remaining resilient.
For those who feel the cold more deeply or find their wellbeing dips at this time of year, regular sessions can provide a helpful foundation.

If you are curious about how acupuncture might support you through the winter months, a registered practitioner will be able to guide you based on your individual needs. Check our clinic map to find someone: https://acupunctureassociation.org.uk/clinic-locator/

20/11/2025

A 2024 randomised controlled trial found that acupuncture plus usual care significantly reduced symptoms in people with refractory irritable bowel syndrome, results were compared to the results of a sham‑acupuncture group.

Patients reported much lower IBS severity after 12 sessions, and the improvements held up over follow‑up.

Importantly, the acupuncture group also saw better quality of life and work/social adjustment, and no serious side‑effects were reported.

✨ This suggests acupuncture could be a safe and effective adjunct treatment for those struggling with IBS that hasn’t responded to standard therapies.

Source: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11684-024-1073-7

17/11/2025

Emma Raducanu has been open about dealing with recurring back spasms, and she’s now added acupuncture to her recovery toolkit.
Despite having a strong fear of needles, she pushed through because she knew it could help her get back on court with more confidence and comfort.

Her experience is a great reminder that even elite athletes rely on therapies like acupuncture to stay at their best, manage pain, and support overall recovery.

13/11/2025

That Moment When… You Give Someone a Hug

…and suddenly realise you’ve unconsciously pressed an acupuncture point!

It’s one of those little superpowers that comes with being an acupuncturist. Years of observing posture, tension patterns, and meridian pathways mean that even a casual hug can turn into a mini acupressure session; sometimes with surprising effects!

Whether it’s helping a friend relax, easing shoulder tension, or just making someone smile, this is a reminder that your skills extend beyond the clinic.

💚 Acupuncturists: your hands are more powerful than you realise.

10/11/2025

Through the ARA, the Acupuncture Association represents your voice in national discussions about training, practice and professional regulation.

Membership means being part of a profession shaping its own future; together.

06/11/2025

Headaches are one of the most common complaints seen by acupuncturists; but in TCM, there’s no single cause. Instead, practitioners look at the underlying patterns that create imbalance in the body.

Here are a few possible reasons your chronic headache might happen:

💨 Exterior Cold Wind Attack
Sometimes headaches develop after exposure to cold wind or draughts, especially around the neck and head. This can block the normal flow of Qi (energy), leading to pain and tightness.

⚡ Qi Deficiency
When your body’s energy is low, often from overwork, poor diet, or lack of rest, it can struggle to keep Qi flowing smoothly to the head, resulting in dull, lingering headaches.

🔥 Heat Rising from the Lower Organs
Excess heat, particularly from the Liver, can rise upward, causing throbbing pain, irritability, and a feeling of pressure in the temples or behind the eyes.

😣 Stress and Emotional Tension
Emotions have a strong effect on energy flow. Frustration, anger, or long-term stress can cause Qi to stagnate, preventing proper circulation and triggering headaches.

In TCM, treatment focuses on identifying the root pattern and bringing the body back into balance. Acupuncture helps regulate Qi, calm the mind, and release tension, naturally easing both the pain and the cause.

✨ Your headache is a message from the body, and acupuncture can help deal with what it’s trying to say.

03/11/2025

This professional training, provided In association with MTAT, offers a focused, evidence-based approach to managing stress and anxiety using ear acupuncture techniques.

Widely used within the NHS and mental health services, the MTAT Ear Acupuncture Stress & Anxiety Management Protocol is designed to equip practitioners with effective tools to support clients experiencing common emotional and physical symptoms of stress.

🔹 What you’ll learn:
Ear anatomy and point location
Korean Flying Needle technique
A 7-point auricular protocol for stress, anxiety, insomnia, and deep relaxation
Safe and effective integration into existing therapeutic practice

🔹 Why take this course:
Combines practical skill-building with a strong theoretical foundation
Includes a digital manual, visual resources, videos, and six months of post-course support
Aligned with Core Curricula, National Occupational Standards, and Skills for Health

🗓️ Course details:
Dates: 15th–16th November 2025
Location: Macclesfield, Cheshire
Fee: £349 - includes 6 months’ support (Option to pay 50% deposit on booking)

This is an excellent opportunity for practitioners seeking to expand their professional skill set and offer a calm, effective treatment option for clients struggling with stress and anxiety.

We have 2 options for booking;
https://totaltherapytraining.org/product/mtat-ear-acupuncture-stress-and-anxiety-management-protocol/o
or
https://aac-org.uk/product/mtat-ear-acupuncture-stress-and-anxiety-management-protocol/

03/11/2025

30/10/2025

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), digestion isn’t just about processing food — it’s about how your body transforms and releases what it no longer needs, both physically and emotionally.

The Large Intestine plays a vital role in this. It governs elimination and supports the body’s ability to let go — clearing out waste, old thoughts, and emotional tension alike.

As Hippocrates famously said, “All disease begins in the gut.”
TCM has long held a similar view: when the Large Intestine’s function is disrupted, it can affect far more than digestion.

When out of balance, you might notice:
⚖️ Irregular bowel movements
🌫️ Brain fog or fatigue
🌿 Skin issues such as dryness or breakouts
💭 Difficulty letting go of emotions or feeling emotionally “blocked”

Emotions play a powerful role in the health of the Large Intestine, worry, sadness, anger, or prolonged stress can all disturb this organ/meridian, disrupting its natural rhythm and flow.

✨ Acupuncture aims to restore harmony between body and mind, supporting healthy digestion, emotional balance, and overall wellbeing.

27/10/2025

There’s an important update on blood donation guidance relevant to acupuncture practitioners.
Read the latest news here:
👉 acupunctureregulatoryauthority.org.uk/blood-donation-updated-news-2025

23/10/2025

📍 Are you an Acupuncture Association member but not yet on our Clinic Map?

Your patients are looking for you, make sure they can find you easily.

Being listed on the Acupuncture Association Clinic Map means you’re visible to people searching for trusted practitioners in their area. It’s one of the simplest ways to grow your practice and connect with new clients who want authentic, professional acupuncture care.

✨ Benefits of being on the map:
• Increased visibility to the public searching for acupuncture near them
• Builds trust – every listing shows your verified membership status
• Encourages local referrals and collaborations
• Highlights your professional commitment as part of a recognised association

If you’re already an Acupuncture Association member, adding your clinic is quick and free.

🗺️ Log in to your member area on the ARA website to update your profile and join the map today. (Your joiner email should have the instructions for this in)

Let your community know where to find you, your next client might be closer than you think!