Acupuncture Association

07/07/2026

Long summer days can mean busy clinics and busy lives.

Whatever your plans this summer, we hope you're finding time to rest, recharge, get plenty of fresh air while we have the chance, and look after your own wellbeing too.

Supporting others starts with looking after yourself.

Wishing all our practitioners a restful summer.

02/07/2026

First time considering acupuncture? You might be surprised by what the consultation involves.

It's not just about the symptoms that brought you in. A good acupuncturist will want to know about your sleep, your stress levels, your lifestyle, the full picture of how you're feeling.

Because treating the whole person, not just the condition, is at the heart of what acupuncture is all about. 💚

Curious about what to expect? Visit acupunctureassociation.org.uk

30/06/2026

Thinking about trying acupuncture? Here are five simple questions to ask before you book, because finding the right practitioner matters.

✔ What training have you completed?
✔ Are you professionally insured?
✔ Do you undertake continuing professional development?
✔ Do you follow a recognised code of conduct?
✔ Are you accountable to a professional organisation?

The more you know, the more confident you can feel in your choice. 💚

Acupuncture Association members are checked against all of these standards — so you don't have to take their word for it.

👉 Learn more at acupunctureassociation.org.uk

29/06/2026

This includes Acupuncture Association. We are all about inclusivity.

The ARA Board is made up of representatives from across the acupuncture profession, from degree-qualified practitioners qualified in high-level disciplines to therapists for whom acupuncture forms one part of a broader clinical practice.
Different backgrounds, different training routes, different approaches - but a shared commitment to professional standards and the wellbeing of the public.

That diversity of perspective is not a complication. It is a strength.
Because ARA member organisations work collaboratively rather than competitively, the energy of the profession is directed where it matters most, into meaningful progress. We focus on what can be achieved together.

That approach produces results. One of our most significant recent successes was working with the blood donation services to update their guidelines, meaning that people who have had acupuncture from an ARA-registered practitioner no longer face an unnecessary deferral period before donating blood. A practical, tangible outcome that reflects what collaboration can achieve.

There is more work ahead.

But when the profession moves as one, things get done.

acupunctureregulatoryauthority.org.uk

25/06/2026

CPD - Continuing Professional Development - is one of the requirements of AA membership, and it's there for good reason.

Keeping up with developments in practice, reflecting on your work, and committing to ongoing learning all contribute to safer, more effective care for patients. And for practitioners, it's one of the ways the profession demonstrates that its standards don't stop at qualification.

The AA supports members in understanding and meeting their CPD requirements as part of the wider commitment to professional, ethical practice.

Find out more at acupunctureassociation.org.uk

22/06/2026

When patients search for an acupuncturist, one of the things that helps them choose with confidence is knowing their practitioner is registered with a recognised professional body.

As an AA member, you're automatically registered with the ARA - which means patients can trust that you meet established standards of training, safety, and professional conduct.

That reassurance matters. And it's one of the things that makes AA membership about more than just belonging to an organisation, it's about being part of a profession that takes standards seriously.

Learn more at acupunctureassociation.org.uk

18/06/2026

🧠 New Research Explores Acupuncture and Stroke Recovery

Research into acupuncture continues to expand, helping us better understand not only whether acupuncture may help patients, but also how it may influence the body's recovery processes.

A recently published study in the journal CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics investigated the potential effects of acupuncture on motor recovery following ischaemic stroke. Using advanced MRI imaging techniques, researchers observed differences in brain networks and neuroplasticity in patients who received acupuncture at recognised acupuncture points.

While further research is needed, studies such as this contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms that may be involved in patient recovery and rehabilitation.

As interest in evidence-informed healthcare continues to grow, it is encouraging to see ongoing scientific investigation into acupuncture and its potential role in supporting patient care.

Read the study here:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cns.70955

15/06/2026

Choosing an Acupuncture Course: Why Practical Assessment Matters

Acupuncture is a hands-on healthcare practice; it has to be, you can't insert acupuncture needles over the phone.

So while theory can be studied in many ways, safe needling technique, anatomical accuracy and patient communication must be demonstrated and assessed in practice.

When choosing an acupuncture course, ask whether students are observed, tested and given practical feedback by experienced tutors, and whether clinical placements form part of the training.

Professional standards matter because patient safety matters.

11/06/2026

When a patient chooses an AA member, they're choosing someone who upholds nationally recognised standards of safety, ethics, and ongoing professional development. That's not just good for patients, it's what moves our profession forward, together.

Because when we hold ourselves to high standards, trust in acupuncture grows. And that benefits every one of us.

🌿 Find out more at https://acupunctureassociation.org.uk/

09/06/2026

Professional acupuncture is built on trust — trust between practitioners and patients, and trust in the standards that protect both.
AA membership connects you with a community of practitioners working together to raise the profile of acupuncture. And because AA is a member organisation of the Acupuncture Regulatory Authority, your membership includes ARA registration — so you get the benefits of both in one place.
Open to all acupuncture practitioners. Learn more at https://acupunctureassociation.org.uk/