September 2026
How much do you really know about acupuncture?
Whether you have tried acupuncture, wondered how it works or assumed it was mainly used for pain, September is your chance to discover what acupuncture is really all about.
Australia’s first Acupuncture Awareness Month is challenging some of the most common misconceptions about acupuncture and sharing the facts behind how it is practised, studied and regulated today.
Watch the video to discover the 5 Things About Acupuncture Most People Get Wrong, then explore each one in more detail below.
Watch the video below and see what might surprise you.
ACUPUNCTURE IS A NATIONALLY REGULATED HEALTH PROFESSION
Acupuncture is sometimes dismissed as not being real medicine. But did you know that Chinese medicine has been a nationally regulated health profession in Australia since 2012?
Only practitioners registered with the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia may use the title “acupuncturist”.
Their education covers Chinese medicine theory and acupuncture techniques, alongside anatomy, physiology, pathology, clinical assessment, ethics, safety and supervised clinical practice. Once registered, they must continue their professional development and meet ongoing professional and safety standards.
Acupuncture also has a substantial and growing research base. The strength of the evidence varies across different health conditions, and research continues to explore how acupuncture works and where it may play a helpful role.
It may have ancient origins, but acupuncture in Australia is practised within a modern system of education, registration and professional accountability.
THERE IS MUCH MORE TO ACUPUNCTURE THAN NEEDLES
Needles may be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word acupuncture, but they are only one part of the story.
Behind every treatment is a broader conversation about you. A registered practitioner may consider why you are seeking care, along with your health history, lifestyle, sleep, stress, digestion and other relevant factors.
This helps them develop an individualised treatment plan and select the most appropriate acupuncture points and techniques.
Depending on the practitioner’s qualifications and your needs, treatment may also involve cupping, moxibustion, gua sha, electroacupuncture, ear acupuncture or Chinese remedial massage. Some practitioners are also qualified in Chinese herbal medicine.
So yes, acupuncture can involve needles. But there is much more happening before, during and around the treatment than most people see.
ACUPUNCTURE IS USED AND STUDIED FOR MORE THAN PAIN
A sore back, stiff neck or aching shoulder may be what first brings acupuncture to mind. Pain is one of the best known and most extensively researched reasons people seek acupuncture, but it is far from the only one.
People may also seek acupuncture for concerns relating to headaches and migraine, nausea, women’s health, digestion, sleep, stress and general wellbeing.
One major study brought together data from 39 clinical trials involving 20,827 people with chronic musculoskeletal pain, osteoarthritis, chronic headaches or shoulder pain. It found that acupuncture produced better outcomes than both sham acupuncture and no acupuncture controls, although the difference compared with sham acupuncture was smaller.
Acupuncture is not a solution for everything. But there is certainly much more to it than treating a sore back.
ACUPUNCTURE AND DRY NEEDLING ARE NOT THE SAME
They both use fine needles, so it is easy to understand why acupuncture and dry needling are sometimes mistaken for the same treatment.
Dry needling generally focuses on muscles, connective tissue and areas associated with musculoskeletal pain or dysfunction.
Acupuncture is practised within the broader framework of Chinese medicine. A registered acupuncturist considers the reason you are seeking care alongside your overall health before selecting acupuncture points and developing an individualised treatment plan.
The difference is not simply where a needle is placed. It also involves the practitioner’s education, assessment approach and the clinical framework guiding the treatment.
In Australia, “acupuncturist” is a legally protected title. Dry needling is not a separately registered health profession, and training can vary.
If you are unsure, ask the practitioner about their qualifications and registration. You can also check an acupuncturist’s registration through AACMA ‘Find a Practitioner’ database.
ACUPUNCTURE IS PART OF AUSTRALIA’S REGULATED HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
Acupuncture is sometimes spoken about as though it exists completely outside Australia’s healthcare system. The reality may surprise you.
Chinese medicine is regulated under Australia’s National Registration and Accreditation Scheme. Registered acupuncturists practise under national legislation and must meet professional standards designed to protect the public.
Many Australians include acupuncture as one part of their broader healthcare while continuing to see their GP, specialist, physiotherapist, psychologist or another health professional.
Registered acupuncturists must understand the boundaries of their practice, recognise when symptoms require further investigation and refer patients when appropriate.
Acupuncture should never replace urgent or medically necessary treatment. It may, however, form part of a broader approach to care when appropriate for the individual.
THINKING ABOUT TRYING ACUPUNCTURE?
Whether you arrived here knowing very little about acupuncture or have tried it before, we hope you have discovered something new.
If you are considering making an appointment, you can use AACMA's online practitioner directory to find an AACMA member near you. All AACMA members must meet the Association’s membership requirements and commit to its professional and ethical standards.
Acupuncture Awareness Month is an initiative of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association Ltd.
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