Why research into Traditional Chinese acupuncture has proved difficult. Strategies of the Council for Acupuncture, UK, to overcome the problem

Abstract

This paper gives a short outline on the acupuncture research carried out and reported in the UK literature to date. It examines the reasons for the slow uptake of acupuncture research in the UK with particular reference to the community of practitioners who have trained in traditional acupuncture and practise on a full-time basis.The problems facing researchers investigating acupuncture, and in particular traditional acupuncture, are summarised. Doubts are raised as to the usefulness of conventional methodology for acupuncture research.This is followed by a short appraisal of acupuncture research envisaged by the Council for Acupuncture (CFA), UK, to be of use in promoting the interests of the profession as a whole.The paper concludes with an outline of strategies and discusses a number of concrete steps that are being put in motion by the CFA, UK, to promote research on all levels of the acupuncture community in the UK.