The British Acupuncture Council welcomes the announcement by the Health Secretary on 4th October that personal budgets will be rolled out to people who need long term healthcare. This means that patients with such complex needs can choose their preferred care, based on a care plan tailored to their individual needs. The British Acupuncture Council welcomes this opportunity for patient empowerment.
The British Acupuncture believes acupuncture has an important role to play in meeting the needs of people with long term health conditions and complex needs. The British Acupuncture Council can provide information to patients and carers to assist with their research as to how acupuncture can play its part in meeting their care plan. As Craig Minto, a British Acupuncture Council member states, “I am involved in a personal care budget pilot in Medway and find that personal budgets can assist in making sure people have access to the best possible acupuncture support”.
If you have health insurance you might be able to claim back mney towards the cost of your acupuncture treatments. Here is a list of insurers that except self and GP/specialist referrals:
Self Referral
- WHA
- Medicash
- HSF
- Healthshield
GP/specialist Referral
- WPA
- National friendly
- Simply health
- PHSA
- Pru health
- Groupama healthcare
- Exeter family friendly
- CS healthcare
- Westfield
- Engage mutual assurance
- Saga
- Secure health
Supermodel,
Elle Macpherson, recently said in an interview with UK tabloid, News of the World, “I have acupuncture regularly and I see a Chinese doctor who treats most common ailments with herbs.”
When asked how she maintained her health and well being, Elle answered, “I do choose to look after my body from a Chinese medicine perspective, which promotes and maintains wellness rather than treats illness.”
Gwyneth Paltrow?
Elle is not the only celebrity that seems to have become “star-struck” with this traditional form of health care that is touted as being able to treat everything from anxiety to a torn rotator cuff. Gwyneth Paltrow, a longtime advocate of the benefits of acupuncture and Oriental medicine, once said that having acupuncture had guided her to a “new level” in life, helping her to find love with her husband and giving her the strength to cope with the death of her father. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Gwyneth Paltrow said, “I have been a big fan of Chinese medicine for a long time because it works.”
And more!
So what other celebrities are up for being a voluntary pin-cushion? Dr. Maoshing Ni, an acupuncturist in Santa Monica lists Jim Carrey and Helen Hunt as two of his many famous clients. In a testimonial, Jim Carrey said “Undergoing [acupuncture] treatments with Dr. Mao at [his acupuncture clinic] and following his nutritional advice has led to a marked change in my physical vitality and my general state of well-being.”
Celebrities have embraced acupuncture so whole-heartedly that they even schedule regular acupuncture treatments for their pets. Sarah Michelle Gellar of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame, has been spotted in Los Angeles taking her pampered pooch, Tyson, in for his acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture is becoming more and more respected by conventional medicine, so much so that there were acupuncturists on-site for the athletes at both the Summer and Winter Olympics.