Acupuncturist

First things first and in case you didn't know...

Acupuncture is often regarded as a form of complementary or alternative medicine and there are different styles you can practise including western and traditional. Both approaches use fine needles inserted into the skin or muscles at certain points with the aim of relieving pain or illness.

Traditional acupuncture is based on the ancient Chinese theory that the body depends on the balance of vital energy, known as qi and that if qi cannot flow freely through the body, it can make the person ill. Acupuncture is used to restore this balance and relieve the illness.

Western acupuncture works on the basis that the inserted needles stimulate sensory nerves which makes the body produce natural pain relieving endorphins which help to relieve the symptoms that the patient has.

An acupuncturist is a healthcare professional who practises acupuncture, an ancient Chinese healing technique. They use thin needles inserted into specific points on the body to stimulate the nervous system and promote healing. Acupuncture is often used to treat pain, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. Acupuncturists typically have extensive training in traditional Chinese medicine and modern medical practices.

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Key skills/talents

Acupuncture requires a unique blend of skills. From in-depth knowledge of ancient healing practices to modern patient care, acupuncturists must be proficient in both traditional and contemporary approaches.

Deep Knowledge of Acupuncture: A thorough understanding of acupuncture points, meridians, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principles.
Patient Assessment: Skill in diagnosing patients' conditions through observation, questioning, and pulse and tongue diagnosis.
Needle Manipulation: Proficiency in using acupuncture needles with precision and control.
Herbal Medicine Knowledge: Understanding of Chinese herbal medicine and its application in treating various conditions.
Communication Skills: Effective communication with patients to build trust and explain treatment plans.
Empathy and Compassion: Ability to connect with patients on an emotional level and offer support.
Holistic Perspective: Understanding the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit in health and illness.
Continuing Education: Commitment to staying updated with the latest research and advancements in acupuncture.
Business Skills: Knowledge of running a practice, including patient management, marketing, and financial management.
Cross-Cultural Competence: Ability to work effectively with patients from diverse backgrounds.

Personal qualities such as empathy, effective communication, and a holistic approach to health are indispensable for acupuncturists. Possessing business acumen, including marketing, finance, and patient management skills, can significantly contribute to practise success.

Qualifications required

To practise acupuncture legally in the UK, specific qualifications and registration are required. You must complete a degree-level acupuncture course accredited by the British Acupuncture Accreditation Board (BAAB). These comprehensive courses typically last three years, covering traditional Chinese medicine alongside anatomy, physiology, and western medical sciences.

https://baab.org.uk/accredited-courses.html

To get a place on a course you will need an A-level in Biology, which Nicola discusses she did via an evening class (at college) in the run up to applying.

While not mandatory, a healthcare background can be beneficial for understanding patient conditions and collaborating with other medical professionals. Personal qualities such as empathy, communication skills, and a holistic approach to health are also crucial for successful practice.

Rules and regs

While acupuncture is not a statutorily regulated profession in the UK, there are robust voluntary regulations in place to protect the public.

The British Acupuncture Council is the primary regulatory body for the profession. Acupuncturists who register with the BAcC must adhere to a strict code of conduct, which includes:

Safe practice: Adhering to stringent hygiene and safety standards, including the use of disposable needles.
Professional conduct: Maintaining high ethical standards, including confidentiality and patient care.
Continuing professional development: Undertaking regular training to stay updated with the latest practices and research.
Insurance: Carrying appropriate professional indemnity insurance.

https://acupuncture.org.uk

In addition to BAcC regulations, acupuncturists must also comply with general business and health and safety laws, such as:

Business registration: Registering their business with the local authority. https://www.aacp.org.uk/assets/ckfinder_library/files/Licensing%20Requirements%20-%20AACP%20-%202015.pdf
Health and safety regulations: Maintaining a clean and safe working environment. https://www.hse.gov.uk
Data protection: Handling patient information securely. https://www.gov.uk/data-protection

With regard to insurances, you will need treatment & public liability. Below are links to a few providers:

https://www.policybee.co.uk/acupuncturist-insurance

https://www.hiscox.co.uk/business-insurance/acupuncturist

https://www.acupuncturesociety.org.uk/practice-insurance

Remuneration framework

As you'll typically be self-employed, your earnings will be related to how much you charge and the success of your practice. Plus, what/how many hours you want to work each week/month.

Fees for patients are around £50 to £70 for the initial consultation session, with subsequent shorter sessions costing around £40 to £60. Averaging this out at £60 and assuming you see 4 people a day, that's £240 a day, x 5 days that's £1,200 a week and £5,150 a month, although costs, expenses and tax must be deducted from that.

Nicola’s rates, as shown on her website https://threetreasuresclinic.co.uk, are:

Initial consultation and treatment (60/75 mins) - £60
Follow up treatments (45/60 mins) - £50
Block of 4 (paid upfront) - £180

Your salary will rise as you establish your practice as you'll be able to charge more per session with your growing experience and you'll attract a larger client base.

Salaries may also be affected by any links you have with GP practices and other healthcare professionals, as this may supply referrals.

How to get started

Once you’ve done your qualifying A-level, and upon successful completion of the BAAB-accredited course (see above), registering with the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) is mandatory for legal practice in the UK. This professional body ensures adherence to high standards of care and conduct.

Then, building a thriving acupuncture practice requires… practice! So like Nicola did, we would recommend joining an existing practice to get started; see how things work and to build up a client-base. Nicola didn’t do this for long before going out on her own, however, she did not intend to work 5-days a week, so her financial targets were perhaps lower than others, as were her client (number) targets.

Word of mouth recommendation is always going to be your biggest driver for a profession like this, however, Nicola also invested in some local media (local magazines and newspapers) at the start, and of course, as with all things, having a clear social media presence is key, particularly Facebook and particularly focussing on your local geographical area.

Continuous professional development (CPD) is vital for maintaining up-to-date knowledge and skills (which you can also promote). Regular attendance at workshops and seminars is recommended to stay abreast of the latest acupuncture techniques and research. Adhering to the BAcC's CPD requirements is necessary to retain registration.

The BAcC requires members to complete at least 30 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) activity each year. CPD courses, events and seminars are offered by the BAcC, as well as a variety of professional bodies and colleges, which can be found via a simple web search. Research these carefully to pick the one that most suits your interests and needs.

Job site links

Finding employment as an acupuncturist in the UK involves exploring various avenues such as private practice, clinics, and wellness centres, so you'll need to familiarise yourself with what’s local (or commutable) to//from your home. While opportunities within the NHS are available, they are limited, so job boards and professional networks(like the ones listed above) are generally pretty fruitful.

NHS job page: https://www.jobs.nhs.uk

The usual job sites also list jobs in this field:

https://uk.indeed.com/q-acupuncture-jobs.html

https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/acupuncturist-jobs

Associations or official bodies to register with

While acupuncture isn't a statutorily regulated profession in the UK, registering with a reputable professional body is crucial for establishing credibility and ensuring adherence to high standards of practice.

The most prominent association for acupuncturists in the UK is the British Acupuncture Council: https://acupuncture.org.uk. It is the largest and most widely recognised professional body for acupuncturists in the country. Registering with the BAcC demonstrates a commitment to professional standards and patient safety.

While the BAcC is the primary choice for most acupuncturists, there are other smaller associations you might consider, such as:

Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ATCM). This organisation represents practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncturists: https://www.atcm.co.uk
The Acupuncture Society (TAS). This is another professional body for acupuncturists in the UK: https://www.acupuncturesociety.org.uk

Thorough research into different professional bodies is essential to understand their requirements, benefits, and public recognition. While smaller associations exist, registering with the widely respected British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) is strongly recommended.

Progression pathway

Acupuncture, like many ‘alternative’ health professions, is one that can take you as far as you want to go… Geographically (yep, travel is there for you) and potentially financially. Although we’d be remiss for suggesting monetary gain is a reason people choose acupuncture - like any medical professional acupuncturists have a fundamental desire to help and heal others.

If you want to increase your knowledge and your working hours - and therefore you earning potential - you can look into:

Specific acupuncture techniques to gain unique, ‘expert level’ skill in
Chinese herbal medicine to compliment your acupuncture work (Nicola touches on this in the chat and about how you have to study separately/additionally for a further 2-years to gain the correct qualification in chinese medicine)
Other holistic medical therapies to ‘add to your bow’

You can also choose to specialise by undertaking specific training to use acupuncture (and market/promote yourself) in areas such as:

Addiction
Antenatal care
Asthma
HIV/AIDS
Infertility
Menopause/Perimenopause
Oncology
Pain management
Psychiatric care
Stroke rehabilitation

All of the links we’ve already given will show you additional study options for all the areas above.

A final area you could look into, which even though not new, is still relatively fledgling, but could be a great ‘earner’ for you, is ‘Cosmetic Acupuncture’.

A cosmetic or facial acupuncture treatment will concentrate on points and muscles of the face to improve your skin’s elasticity and general overall appearance. Featured on TV programmes such as ’10 Years Younger’ and ‘How Not to Get Old’, cosmetic acupuncture is growing in popularity. Although relatively new to the West, the Chinese have been using points on the face to combat ageing signs and help with various skin conditions for many years. It was in use as early as the Song Dynasty (960AD – 1279AD), when the Empress and Emperor’s concubines received cosmetic acupuncture.

Nicola performs cosmetic acupuncture and her prices for that are: