NICE Recommendations on Acupuncture

On 7th April 2021, the new NICE recommendations on acupuncture were published. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has given support for traditional Chinese acupuncture and Western acupuncture.

This new guidance applies to the treatment of Primary Chronic Pain in people aged 16 and above. Primary chronic pain is defined as pain for which no underlying condition adequately accounts for the pain or its impact.

This is defintely a positive development which should help with NHS referrals for pain mangement. It is hoped that it will also reassure public attitudes towards acupuncture.

Earlier this year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reclassified acupuncture under the Standard Occupational classification and placed it within the bracket of Healthcare Professionals. The new NICE recommendations make clear that acupuncture for Primary Chronic pain should be delivered by healthcare professionals.

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng193/chapter/Recommendations#assessing-all-types-of-chronic-pain-chronic-primary-pain-chronic-secondary-pain-or-both

Moving forward we are hoping that this accouncement will bring positive benefits to both patients and acupuncture professionals. At Asante Academy, we are definitely viewing this as a step in the right direction.