Acupuncture Regulatory Authority

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Acupuncture Regulatory Authority

The ARA (formerly the BAF) is made up of 15 of the UK's leading acupuncture organisations.

Its mission is to foster collaboration and consistency, creating a stronger and more cohesive acupuncture professional community. In line with the recommendations of the House of Lords' Complementary & Alternative Medicine report (2000) the British Acupuncture Federation is the first collaborative umbrella organisation of leading professional acupuncture associations within the UK.

18/06/2026

💷 Are you paying more for your professional insurance than you need to?

Further to our post earlier this week, all ARA registrants are entitled to significant discounts through our partnership with Balens, but we found that some practitioners are still obtaining quotes without accessing the ARA scheme, and therefore paying more than they need to.

Our article explains exactly how to access your discounted rates and highlights why it is worth checking before you renew your cover.

If you're an ARA registrant, take a few minutes to make sure you're receiving the benefits available to you.

Read the article here:
https://acupunctureregulatoryauthority.org.uk/how-to-access-your-balens-insurance-discounts-as-an-ara-registrant/

14/06/2026

We've completed our 2025 Registrants Survey, and we're sharing the results.

Thank you to everyone who took part. Your feedback genuinely shapes how we work, and we're grateful for the time and thought so many of you put into your responses.

The results have given us valuable insight into the current landscape of the profession, from how Registrants experience their membership, to what more we can do to support you.

One finding did stand out: a number of Registrants were unaware that being a member of one of our partner associations automatically makes you an ARA Registrant, and that there are benefits that come with that. If you're not sure what you have access to, it's worth logging into the ARA members area, and having a good look around. (It's here: https://acupunctureregulatoryauthority.org.uk/docs/welcome-to-ara-members-area/ )

We also received some really encouraging feedback about the support available through social media, email, and our WhatsApp helpline, and some thoughtful suggestions about what we can do better.

Read the full survey results here: acupunctureregulatoryauthority.org.uk/the-ara-registrants-survey-2025/

11/06/2026

When you choose an acupuncturist, knowing how to verify their registration is an important step in making an informed decision about your care.

The ARA maintains a publicly accessible Registrant Directory, listing all practitioners who are currently registered through an ARA member organisation. Checking the register takes only a moment, and gives you confidence that your practitioner is working to a recognised set of professional standards, including requirements around training, insurance, and continuing professional development.

Acupuncture is not yet a statutorily regulated profession in the UK, which makes voluntary registers like the ARA's an important resource for anyone seeking safe, accountable care.

You can search the ARA Registrant Directory at any time here: acupunctureregulatoryauthority.org.uk/ara-members-list

09/06/2026

Acupuncture is not a single, uniform practice. Across the UK, a range of recognised styles and approaches are used, each with its own traditions, principles, and clinical applications.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the most widely practised styles, working with concepts such as Qi, meridians, and the balance of the body as a whole system.

Five Element Acupuncture focuses on the relationship between body, mind, and spirit, and the role of five elemental energies in health and wellbeing.

Western Medical Acupuncture applies acupuncture within a conventional biomedical framework, using knowledge of anatomy and physiology to inform treatment.

Musculoskeletal Acupuncture,sometimes referred to as dry needling, uses needling techniques to address muscular and structural conditions, and is often practised alongside other physiotherapy or rehabilitation approaches.

Scalp Acupuncture uses points on the scalp to address neurological and systemic conditions, and is increasingly used alongside conventional treatment in rehabilitation settings.

Auricular Acupuncture focuses on points located on the ear and is used across a range of settings, including pain management and support for addiction recovery.

Whatever approach your practitioner uses, ARA registration means they are working to a consistent set of professional standards, providing you with confidence in the care you receive.

Find a registered practitioner at https://acupunctureregulatoryauthority.org.uk/search/

05/06/2026

Acupuncture often works cumulatively, particularly for chronic or complex conditions, so it's worth understanding what progress can look like before you begin.

For patients: if you're unsure whether your treatment is moving in the right direction, talk to your practitioner. Noticing and recording small changes between sessions, in sleep, energy, pain levels, or mood, gives your practitioner valuable information to work with.
For practitioners: regularly reviewing progress, explaining your clinical reasoning, and setting realistic expectations are all part of responsible, patient-centred care. Transparency throughout the process supports both trust and continuity.
ARA-registered practitioners are supported with ongoing professional development, helping to ensure the standard of care remains consistent at every stage of treatment.

acupunctureregulatoryauthority.org.uk

02/06/2026

Starting acupuncture for the first time? It's natural to have questions.
Your practitioner will begin with a thorough consultation, taking time to understand your health as a whole, not just the condition you've come in with. Wearing loose, comfortable clothing and eating a light meal beforehand is advisable. Most importantly, don't hesitate to ask questions at any stage.
For practitioners, that first session sets the foundation. Clear, honest communication about the treatment process and what to expect helps build the trust that underpins safe, effective care.
ARA-registered practitioners work to consistent professional standards, so patients can feel confident from the very first appointment.
Find a registered practitioner near you: acupunctureregulatoryauthority.org.uk

28/05/2026

Public trust in acupuncture grows when people can easily see who their practitioner is, what they are trained in, and that they are held to a professional standard.
That is exactly what ARA's public register provides. ARA Registrants - practitioners whose member organisation is part of ARA - are listed publicly as a mark of professional accountability.
🔗https://acupunctureregulatoryauthority.org.uk/ara-members-list/

26/05/2026

The decisions being made now — about standards, regulation, and professional identity — will shape acupuncture in the UK for years to come.
ARA is working with member organisations to ensure those decisions reflect the best of the profession. Practitioners whose organisations are part of ARA are already contributing to that future as Registrants.
🔗 Find out more: https://acupunctureregulatoryauthority.org.uk/ara-role/

21/05/2026

When practitioners work to a shared standard, everyone benefits — patients feel confident, and professionals are supported.
ARA Registrants — practitioners whose member organisation is part of ARA — are part of a framework that takes professional accountability seriously. Not just for the public, but for the long-term credibility of acupuncture as a profession.
Find out what being an ARA Registrant means 👉 https://acupunctureregulatoryauthority.org.uk/standards/

19/05/2026

Acupuncture in the UK deserves a clear, unified professional voice. The Acupuncture Regulatory Authority works with member organisations to bring the profession together under shared standards - supporting practitioners, building public trust, and working towards a more accountable future for acupuncture.
If your member organisation is registered with ARA, you are part of that framework as an ARA Registrant.

🔗 Find out more at https://acupunctureregulatoryauthority.org.uk/

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