Consultancy
Regulatory consultancy for ministries, authorities and professional bodies developing complementary medicine pathways.
About BCS
About BCS - A Clinician-Led Professional Society
The British Cupping Society is a non-profit, clinician-led organisation advancing medical cupping therapy through education, standards, research and international collaboration.
01
History
BCS was established by medical and healthcare professionals with professionalisation as a core objective. Since 2008, BCS has consulted with ministries of health, universities and healthcare authorities internationally to standardise practice, develop clinical guidance and support research.
That history informs our present direction: to provide a specialist institutional home for medical cupping therapy that can engage credibly with healthcare education and regulation.
02
Who we are
BCS advocates a healthcare-professional model of medical cupping therapy. The Society’s educational pathways are designed around learners who already possess recognised clinical foundations and who practise within the scope of their underlying professional registration or lawful role.
BCS training does not replace a primary healthcare qualification, create a medical licence or extend a practitioner’s statutory scope.
Our role includes education, standards development, consultation, professional networking, research support, conference organisation and practitioner recognition.
03
Advocacy
Some of our clinical protocols have been utilised by academics in research, published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presented at medical conferences worldwide. Our team has helped supervise clinical research projects and undergraduate and postgraduate degrees related to cupping therapy.
BCS has representation of cupping therapy within the General Regulatory Council for Complementary Therapies (GRCCT) and seeks constructive engagement with regulators, universities and health authorities internationally.
04
Mission, vision and strategic priorities
Our mission is to advance safe, evidence-informed and professionally accountable medical cupping therapy through high-quality education, clinical standards, research engagement and international collaboration.
Our vision is a healthcare environment in which cupping therapy, where legally and clinically appropriate, is practised by suitably trained professionals within clear governance structures and with honest communication about evidence, benefits, limitations and risks.
Strategic priorities include patient safety; educational quality; competency-based training; research literacy; ethical practice; professional accountability; international standards; constructive regulatory engagement; and responsible integration with mainstream healthcare.
Our work
Education, standards and collaboration
The British Cupping Society supports regulation, education, research and representation for medical cupping therapy.
Development
Developing national complementary medicine training pathways and competency frameworks.
Education
Structured learning pathways for medical students, healthcare professionals and advanced practitioners.
Indemnity
Supporting eligible practitioners with information relating to professional indemnity arrangements.
Organising
International conferences, research symposiums and professional events.
Network
An international network for medical cupping therapy education, research and standards.
Regulating
Standards, codes of conduct and practitioner recognition that support public protection.
Partners
University, hospital and institutional partnerships for education and research.
Supervising
Supporting postgraduate and research activity, including Masters- and doctoral-level work.
Representative
Representation of cupping therapy within the General Regulatory Council for Complementary Therapies (GRCCT).