Community (Group) Acupuncture

Community (Group) Acupuncture.

Community acupuncture is a recent innovation in acupuncture service delivery that aims to improve access to care through low-cost treatments in group-based settings. Patients at community acupuncture clinics can receive more frequent treatments compared to acupuncture users in a private setting. In group acupuncture, patients are treated simultaneously, in a staggered fashion, situated near and in view of one another.

What does the research say?

The following insights are obtained from systematic reviews and analysis of clinical trials investigating the efficacy of Chinese medicine and community (group) acupuncture.

Consult with our practitioners for personalised care and advice.

Although well-conducted clinical research can help members of the public to make better-informed decisions about their healthcare, we cannot claim that any particular treatment may be effective for any individual person.

When you consult with our Chinese medicine practitioners, you'll receive personalised advice and treatment based on your symptoms and Chinese medicine diagnosis.

Scientific References

Browse our collection of scientific clinical research on community (group) acupuncture.

It includes recent and reputable papers published by peer-reviewed journals within the last 10 years.



Journal of General Internal Medicine

2020, Feb 19

Individual vs. Group Delivery of Acupuncture Therapy for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in Urban Primary Care—a Randomized Trial
Journal of General Internal Medicine Society of General Internal Medicine

The results demonstrate that Individual and Group Acupuncture can be offered safely in the community health center setting. Acceptability to patients and clinicians is very high, and that a substantial proportion of patients with chronic pain will have clinically significant improvement in both pain and overall physical health. Based on these results, Group Acupuncture therapy should be offered as part of pain care to urban community in the primary care setting.

McKee MD, Nielsen A, Anderson B, Chuang E, Connolly M, Gao Q, Gil EN, Lechuga C, Kim M, Naqvi H, Kligler B Full Article

Pain Medicine

2018, Feb

Acupuncture Therapy in a Group Setting for Chronic Pain
Pain Medicine American Academy of Pain Medicine

Acupuncture therapy offered in the group setting was effective in reducing pain severity, pain interference, and depression in patients with chronic neck, back, or shoulder pain or osteoarthritis. Benefit persisted through the 24-week measure despite no additional treatment. This finding has potentially important implications for improving access to effective acupuncture treatment for patients with limited financial resources.

Benjamin Kligler, Arya Nielsen, Corinne Kohrherr,, Tracy Schmid, Eve Waltermaurer, Elidania Perez, Woodson Merrell Full Article

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

2018, Jan 15

"It's Better in a Group Anyway": Patient Experiences of Group and Individual Acupuncture
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine Society for Acupuncture Research

Group acupuncture and individual acupuncture were similarly valued by patients, but that group acupuncture is a different experience from individual acupuncture. The study showed patients in group settings contributed to their experience by helping them relax and by forming social bonds with other participants.

Chuang, E., Hashai, N., Buonora, M., Gabison, J., Kligler, B., & McKee Full Article

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies

2013, Oct 29

Patient perspectives on care received at community acupuncture clinics: a qualitative thematic analysis
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies

This study elucidate patients' perspectives on quality of care: 1) aspects of health care delivery unique to community acupuncture, and 2) patient engagement in health care. The group setting, community-based locations, and low cost of this model potentially reduce access barriers for those who might not otherwise consider using acupuncture. In addition, the community acupuncture model may offer individuals the opportunity for increased frequency of treatments.

Tippens KM, Chao MT, Connelly E, Locke A. Full Article


Yin Tang
“It is by virtue of the twelve channels that human life exists, that disease arises, that human beings can be treated and illness cured. The twelve channels are where beginners start and masters end.” The Classic of Acupuncture
Circa 1st Century BCE