The British Medical Acupuncture Society is a registered charity established to stimulate and promote the use and scientific understanding of acupuncture within medicine for the public benefit. We seek to enhance the education and training of suitably qualified practitioners, and to promote high standards of working practices in acupuncture. Members are regulated healthcare professionals who practice acupuncture within the scope of their professional practice.

Acupuncture stimulates the nerves in skin and muscle, and can produce a variety of effects. We know that it increases the body’s release of natural painkillers – endorphin and serotonin – in the pain pathways of both the spinal cord and the brain. This modifies the way pain signals are received.

Acupuncture-like techniques may have been used for over 5000 years, if evidence from Ötzi the iceman is considered; however, the most well known system of acupuncture was developed in the Far East from around 2000 years ago. This was first introduced into Europe in the 17th Century, but widespread interest in the technique did not develop until the political events of the early 1970s allowed travel restrictions between East and West to be eased.

In the past thirty years, because of the huge public interest in the subject, considerable scientific research on acupuncture has been carried out

The distinction between complementary or alternative medicine and conventional medicine is becoming blurred as acupuncture is accepted in medicine. Acupuncture is already available in most hospital pain clinics and it is provided by an ever-increasing number of GPs and hospital doctors.