Acupuncture, along with moxibustion, is one of the oldest practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Historians believe the practice began in China, possibly as early as 100BC.

Acupuncture is well accepted by Australians, and in the past two decades has experienced rapid growth and is now considered one of the most accepted of the complementary therapies. Most people have some idea of what Acupuncture is – the use of fine, sterile, single use needles inserted into specific Acupuncture points along the body’s lines of energy (meridians) to unblock the energy (qi), to reduce pain and promote wellbeing.

Here are some interesting facts about Acupuncture and Acupuncturists that you may not have known:

• Acupuncture was introduced to Australia as early as in the 1880s.
• Acupuncturists must complete a 4-5 yr degree, involving many practical hours.
• The national registration of Acupuncturists is mandatory, which means practitioners are required to pass a board exam to be allowed to practice.
• 20 hours continuing education is required each year to maintain registration.
• All private health insurance schemes provide rebates to patients receiving Acupuncture treatment.
• 1 in 10 australians have visited an Acupuncturist.
• 80% of GPs refer their patients for Acupuncture at least once a month.
• Two random controlled trials (RCT) suggest that Acupuncture may be an effective and safe method to treat seasonal and persistent allergic rhinitis.
• Another RCT suggested Acupuncture during early pregnancy may be effective in reducing nausea.
• A separate RCT found positive effects of Acupuncture on clinical pregnancy rates for women undergoing embryo transfer (IVF).

References.

1. White A, Ernst E (May 2004). “A brief history of acupuncture”. Rheumatology.43 (5): 662–3.
2. Charlie Changli Xue*, Anthony Lin Zhang, Angela Weihong Yang,
   Claire Shuiqing Zhang and David Frederick Story. Recent developments of acupuncture in Australia and the way Forward. Chinese Medicine 2009, 4:7
3. Zheng Zheng. Acupuncture in Australia: regulation, education, practice, and research. Integrative Medicine Research 2014 103-110