Acupuncture as a complementary therapy

As people become increasingly interested in maintaining good health – both preventively and in the face of illness – there is more interest than ever in the use of complementary therapies alongside conventional medical care.

Research by Private Client by Bupa in 2021 found that 15 per cent of business directors had used complementary therapies in the previous 12 months, spending around £3,250 annually, with acupuncture at the top of the list of treatments¹.

Complementary therapies are a group of treatments which lie outside mainstream medical care. This includes acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy, homeopathy, and herbal medicines. The term ‘complementary’ means that they are used alongside standard medical treatment.

Complementary therapies are often chosen by people looking to address specific symptoms or conditions, such as chronic pain, stress, anxiety and even tension headaches or migraines. They may also be used to promote overall wellbeing and support the body's natural healing processes.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese treatment that involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body called acupoints. The goal of acupuncture is to stimulate the body's natural healing processes and promote balance in the flow of energy, known as Qi or Chi.

The needles are said to stimulate sensory nerves, which can encourage the release of natural pain-relieving substances such as endorphins. The effects of acupuncture can vary as individuals may respond differently. Nevertheless, acupuncture is known to promote relaxation and enhance overall well-being for many patients, and the treatment is generally considered to be painless.

Along with The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines suggesting it can be used to treat chronic pain, a study by scientists in New York in 2021 looked at how acupuncture might help cancer survivors, by testing two forms of acupuncture and finding that both courses reduced the severity of the pain for patients².

As with any complementary therapy, it's essential to understand its potential efficacy for your specific condition. We recommend speaking with your doctor before considering acupuncture as a form of treatment.

Utilise proactive wellness benefits

In keeping with Private Client by Bupa’s unique philosophy, which emphasises a proactive and holistic approach to health and wellbeing, customers of our Ultimate Global Health Plan can utilise a range of wellness benefits, such as physiotherapy, acupuncture, reflexology, vitamin therapy and chiropractic cover as well as health screenings, vaccinations, and eye tests.

Private Client by Bupa offers premium private health insurance that goes beyond health cover. The Ultimate Global Health Plan provides a complete concierge service and award-winning medical cover at home or abroad provided by Bupa Global, with rich, proactive, preventive wellbeing benefits that are designed to be used.

For more information on Private Client by Bupa, visit bupaprivateclient.com or call 0371 346 0407.

Sources:

1. Private Client by Bupa research – conducted by Censuswide in July 2021

2. Effectiveness of Electroacupuncture or Auricular Acupuncture vs Usual Care for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Among Cancer Survivors: The PEACE Randomized Clinical Trial, May 2021

Private Client by Bupa is a concierge service providing personalised health and wellbeing services for the Ultimate Global Health Plan insured by Bupa Global.

Bupa Global is a trading name of Bupa Insurance Limited and Bupa Insurance Services Limited. Bupa Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Bupa Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.