Representing Leading Professional Acupuncturists

Welcome to
Acupuncture Association

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Practitioner led Acupuncture Association

About Us

The Acupuncture Association is open to all practising acupuncturists who have qualified from a recognised training establishment.

The Acupuncture Association is one of the full membership organisations under the umbrella of the Acupuncture Regulatory Authority (ARA). ARA is the largest independent collaboration of acupuncture organisations in the UK, representing leading professional acupuncturists.

We support public choice while helping highly trained acupuncturists develop and maintain successful practices, whether they work independently or within public healthcare settings.

Who Can Join

Full registration is open to acupuncturists who have trained and qualified from a registered and recognised training provider

How to join

All qualified Acupuncture Practitioners who wish come an AA member can join directly online.

By becoming a member, you agree to abide by our codes and policies. These have been designed explicitly around current standards and have been drawn up in line with other member organisations.

What We've Accomplished

The British Acupuncture Federation (BAF) has changed Government policy, lockdown guidelines and our legal position as practitioners by upgrading all acupuncturists in the UK to a new classification healthcare classification. It’s incredible to envisage that all the items listed below have been completed in under 24 months!

AA negotiated special exemptions allowing AA practitioners to open during all lockdowns.

 

AA members remained open in all lock downs with special permissions from Public Health England.

 

AA Practitioners accepted as key Workers and Healthcare Professionals

 
 

Created a totally new type of sharps disposal service offering no contract sharps collection.

 
 
 

Gained London Licensing Exemption to include Acupuncture, Auricular Acupuncture, Cosmetic Acupuncture, Tui-Na, Gua Sha, Cupping, Moxibustion, Herbal Medicine.

 
 
 
 

Released ground-breaking Industry Standard Guidelines for treating patients under 18 years of age.

 
 
 
 
 

Over 15 member benefit partnerships.

 
 
 
 
 

Accepted by over 14 healthcare organisations.

 
 
 
 
 

AA negotiated special exemptions allowing AA practitioners to open during all lockdowns.

 

AA members gained access to a wide range of healthcare insurance providers.

 

AA Practitioners accepted as key Workers and Healthcare Professionals

 
 

Created a totally new type of sharps disposal service offering no contract sharps collection.

 
 
 

Gained London Licensing Exemption to include Acupuncture, Auricular Acupuncture, Cosmetic Acupuncture, Tui-Na, Gua Sha, Cupping, Moxibustion, Herbal Medicine.

 
 
 
 

Released ground-breaking Industry Standard Guidelines for treating patients under 18 years of age.

 
 
 
 
 

Over 15 member benefit partnerships.

 
 
 
 
 

Accepted by over 14 healthcare organisations.

 
 
 
 
 

What is Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a safe, proven method of treating disharmony in the body. It has a history dating back centuries and has its roots in Asia. In the UK, Acupuncturists are expected accredited by a registered training provider. The Acupuncture Association oversee and check for certification of members and ask that they abide to our set codes of safe practice and professional conduct. All members require public liability and indemnity insurance as standard.

The Working Group

Michelle Bebbington

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Jamie Hedger

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Andrew Morgan

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Xiao Xiao Fang Kluger

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Get In Touch

FAQ

Who is the Acupuncture Association?

We are an independent acupuncture association with members who have a wide range of skills in different types of acupuncture modalities as well as other therapies.

Who is the British Acupuncture Federation?

From the Alternative Medicine report in 2000, the British Acupuncture Federation was formed from a wide range of acupuncture organisations from the original stakeholder group. It does not have individual members; it is where all acupuncture organisations can discuss how to promote and support members and acupuncture within the UK.

It reflects all styles of acupuncture, including both western and traditional techniques. BAF is the first and largest independent and collaborative umbrella organisation of associations within the UK.

How are the AA and the BAF connected?

The Acupuncture Association is one of the key organisations under the umbrella of the British Acupuncture Federation. AA is represented on the board of BAF. This allows the AA members to have a voice for discussions and ideas on acupuncture and to help grow and expand both the AA and BAF.

Which health insurance companies accept AA members?

The following health insurance companies accept AA members:

Beneden Health
BHSF
CS Healthcare
Equips ME
The Exeter
Freedom Health Care
General & Medical Healthcare
Healix Health Services
HSF
Medicash
Orchard Health Cash Plan
Simply Health
Sovereign Health
UK HealthCare
Westfield Health

Which Training certifications do you accept ?

AA will accept applications from people with qualifications from any accredited training establishment –If you are not sure about whether you will be accepted, or learned at a school outside of the UK then please contact us with your certification as we will advise you how to proceed.

Does membership to the AA include insurance?

AA membership doesn’t automatically include insurance but does have a specifically designed and heavily discounted insurance scheme for those members requiring it.

We are an open and non-political association and therefore support freedom of choice. Although we have developed a fantastic scheme, some practitioners such as medical practitioners may have found other policies that are better suited to their needs.

How soon after I join AA will I be insured?

Once you have joined AA you will be able to access our insurance form in the members area which offer huge discounts for our members. Once you have completed the form you are insured from the date you send this to Balens. You therefore do not need to worry about payment or any delays in processing of your policy, and you can be insured the same day you sing up to AA.