Event for Acupuncture Awareness Week 2025. Experience the Benefit of Ear Seeds

Acupuncture Awareness Week (AAW) is organised by the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) to promote traditional acupuncture as practised by it’s member acupuncturists.

A key message is that BAcC members have extensive training to degree level. This training enables them to practice traditional acupuncture: the original, personalised lifestyle medicine.

Because a traditional acupuncturist will treat you as an individual, your treatment will be unique to you. For example, even if both you and a friend suffer from migraines your treatments will differ.

Another key message is that not all “acupuncture” is traditional acupuncture. In fact, these days highly trained BAcC members are in the minority as fast-track courses become more popular. Osteopaths and physiotherapists may have as little as a day’s training in dry needling (a musculoskeletal acupuncture technique). Some beauty therapists are now advertising themselves as acupuncturists.

How has this situation arisen? Unlike osteopathy for example, traditional acupuncturists were unsuccessful in the statutory regulation for the practice of acupuncture. This means that anyone can set up and advertise as an acupuncturist.

Hopefully, this will change, but in the meantime, an important message is to ask your acupuncturist about their training and if they are a member of the BAcC. Remember, Environmental Health certification is only a mark of adequate hygiene, not professional skill.

The BAcC self-regulates it’s members to ensure high standards and professional competency. It is part of the Accredited Voluntary Register overseen by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Another reason to visit a BAcC member for your acupuncture.

Traditional acupuncture is the original lifestyle medicine. For over 2000 years traditional acupuncturists have practiced preventative medicine. Your lifestyle choices influence your health significantly. Your acupuncturist will advise you on ways you may actively influence your wellbeing: you aren’t simply needled.

I use this chair analogy in clinic to help my patients understand the powerful impact they may have on their health.

In Chinese medicine good health is like a sturdy chair. All legs are in balance: Sleep. Diet. Exercise. Mental & Emotional

You can ask yourself:

1. How is my sleep? Is it good quality ...

2. Am I exercising? Enough, too much ...

3. What is my diet like?

4. How am I feeling emotionally?

Begin by identifying which legs could be improved. This is when your acupuncturist may guide you with Chinese medicine lifestyle advice rooted in ancient medicinal wisdom.

So why choose a BAcC member? Because their traditional acupuncture treatments are safe, effective, rooted in ancient medicine and backed by science.

Ear Seed Tasters on Saturday 15th November 10 am - 3 pm

To mark AAW I am offering ear seed tasters (15 minute appointments/£10) at my holistic centre Carlisle Therapies, 34 Lowther Street.

There are different systems of acupuncture one of which uses points on the ear: auricular acupuncture. One simple auricular method is the NADA protocol. It uses five ear acupuncture points and is used for addiction recovery. NADA stands for National Acupuncture Detoxification Association, but the acronym was chosen because ‘nada’ is the Spanish for ‘nothing’. A reference to not using any form of medication.

Experience an ear seed on just one of the NADA points. This acupuncture point is used in clinic to help with anxiety, insomnia, pain management etc.

To book call 07788 616 488 or visit www.acupuncturecumbria.co.uk

For more information about the British Acupuncture Council visit: www.acupuncture.org