The Association of Community and Multibed Acupuncture Clinics (ACMAC) represents a growing group of acupuncture clinics which seek to make acupuncture accessible to as many people as possible. Affordability is a defining aspect of accessibility: community/multibed clinics use a new business model, treating several people together in one space, thus creating savings in overhead costs which can be passed on to patients. Equally important as the reduced cost of treatment, however, is the powerfully nurturing atmosphere produced when many people are treated together. Please note that the names “multibed” and “community” clinics are interchangeable and do not represent different types of clinic. The term “multibed” is most often used on this site.

A community clinic in Burma, run by local doctors and volunteers from the UK. Read more about this project from John Hamwee, volunteer.

The aims of ACMAC are:

• To support acupuncture practitioners in the process of setting up and running multibed clinics.

• To give clear information to the public about multibed clinics, including what to expect to find at a multibed clinic for those who are new to them, and where to locate their nearest clinic.

• To collect research, articles and other relevant information about community and multibed clinics, both in the UK and around the world, for the benefit and interest both of practitioners and the public.

• To facilitate and promote the reporting of multibed clinics in the local and national press.