Evidence for Acupuncture: Research and Clinical Studies
Acupuncture has been the subject of numerous high-quality studies demonstrating its efficacy for a variety of symptoms. The British Acupuncture Council’s own Evidence A–Z section provides fact‑sheets summarising randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews, and clinical guidelines across many conditions.
Their research page explains how evidence‑based acupuncture is supported by both pragmatic trials (comparing acupuncture to standard care) and controlled trials, giving a robust foundation to its clinical use. BAcC For example, Vickers et al. (2018) performed a large individual‑patient data meta‑analysis involving over 20,000 participants and concluded that acupuncture is more effective than control for chronic pain, and that these benefits persist over time. BAcC
Is Acupuncture Safe?
Acupuncture is generally very safe when performed by trained, professional practitioners. According to the BAcC, members adhere to a strict Code of Safe Practice that requires single-use, disposable needles, clean-needle technique, and high standards of hygiene. BAcC Research supports this: in one large-scale prospective study involving BAcC practitioners, no serious adverse events were reported in more than 200,000 treatments. BAcC
Clark is a degree-level trained acupuncturist, having completed a BSc (Hons) in Acupuncture at The College of Integrated Chinese Medicine. To book an appointment at Clark James Acupuncture, please click the link below.