Traditional Chinese acupuncture has different types  of acupuncture from those of Modern acupuncture types.

The publics concept, is that acupuncture is acupuncture ?

Which is a reasonable assumption but the public needs to be re-educated in that even within TCM there are different types utilised from very basic levels requiring little knowledge or skills.

Using formulae acupuncture is rather like knitting a jumper, drop one pearl, stitch two.

You follow the instructions and end up with a pretty pattern and hopefully a polo neck.

The advanced higher levels of TCM acupuncture require extensive knowledge and training of acupuncture points for their utilisation with the functions of the points.

There is nothing wrong with formulae acupuncture 'if it works', we have seen patients who have been informed that as the acupuncture (formulae) hasn't worked, they must be 'one of those people' that acupuncture does not work on ?

Not that the level of knowledge of the formulae practitioner is to say the least very limited and this is why it hasn't worked.

Or that they chose the wrong 'pattern' and haven't got another to try out, and ended up with a V neck instead of a polo neck !

The same can be said for Auricular (Ear) acupuncture, when it was first utilised in the UK, it had a  'limited' level of knowledge and application.

This is why, even today, it is still thought of in this way as being inferior and only really being used for a no smoking or slimming formulae treatment, with other points that can be utilised if its thought they might help ?

Most TCM practitioners and training establishments see Auricular as an adjunct to what they do, not that its efficacy is the same as body acupuncture in its own right, when utilising Modern acupuncture protocols and techniques.

I have recently read the importance of 'Modern Western Medical Acupuncture' were the nervous system and trigger points are utilised.

But again they don't recognise Auricular Acupuncture as being important which raises a question about their anatomy / physiology, in recognising the vagus nerve and all its innervations via Auricular Acupuncture with measurement techniques  ?

Once patients have had a diagnosis and treatment from a properly trained Modern Auricular Acupuncturist, they realise the vast differences and efficacy between the two types of Auricular acupuncture. 

The same applies to Modern acupuncture body treatments there is a vast difference between Modern and TCM applications, treatments and terminology.

This is not to denigrate the higher levels of TCM acupuncture but to illustrate and inform the public about the different types and forms of acupuncture available from both Modern acupuncture and TCM acupuncture.