Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the several modalities of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), one of the longest established forms of healthcare in the world that has been used for over 2000 years. Traditional acupuncture takes a holistic approach to health, seeking to restore balance during periods of illness by identifying the unique nature of the underlying disharmony presented by each individual. It can also be used to promote general wellbeing and strengthen the constitution. People may choose to have acupuncture alongside other medical treatments or prescribed medication.
Acupuncture therapy involves the insertion of fine needles (single use and sterile) into specific body points, triggering a number of biochemical, physiological and anatomical mechanisms that result in improved self-regulation and health.
Treatments may also involve the use of moxa, or moxibustion. This is the warming of acupuncture points, channels and areas of the body with the dried herb Chinese mugwort (Artemisia argyi). The heat generated can penetrate deeply producing a relaxing sensation, promoting circulation and overall health. Moxa is applied through different techniques such as using a stick, a filled bamboo cone or burning a small moxa ball on the handle of a needle.
Other techniques that may be used during an acupuncture treatment include:
Cupping where a partial vacuum and suction effect is created within cups which are placed on the skin, to encourage blood flow in order to promote healing and relieve pain.
Guasha, the use of a smooth edge tool to repeated stroke the skin, this is thought to have anti-inflammatory effects.
Tuina/shiatsu massage, traditional Chinese/Japanese bodywork massage to assist blood flow.
Electroacupuncture, the use of low voltage electrical stimulation to assist the acupuncture process.
Traditional Chinese medicine principles
Chinese medicine views health as a state of balance within the body, guided by the dynamic relationship of Yin and Yang—opposing yet complementary forces like rest and activity, or cool and warm. Qi (vital energy) flows through a network of pathways called meridians (jingluo), nourishing tissues and supporting bodily functions. Although there is some overlap with biomedical understanding, the internal organs (zangfu)—referred to by familiar names like Lungs, Kidneys, and Liver—are not seen solely as physical structures but as broader functional systems with emotional, physiological, and energetic roles. In traditional theory, illness is described as a deficiency, excess, or blockage of Qi within the meridian (jingluo) and organ (zangfu) systems. The focus of acupuncture treatments is to move Qi through these pathways to strengthen deficiencies, reduce excesses, and clear stagnations.
“Through questioning and observation the acupuncturist assesses the state of a person’s Qi. Acupuncturists carry out a Chinese medicine diagnosis by identifying patterns of imbalance in the body rather than focusing only on the disease label. The principle "One Disease, Many Patterns" means that the same condition—like insomnia—can have different underlying causes in different people. Likewise, "One Pattern, Many Diseases" means that a single imbalance—such as Liver Qi stagnation—can lead to a variety of symptoms like headaches, irritability, or digestive issues. This pattern-based approach allows treatment to be highly individualised and holistic”
Watch the video To The Point here.
What conditions can acupuncture help with?
Modern research has found that acupuncture can be effective for chronic health conditions such as:
Neurological (migraines and headaches)
Musculoskeletal (low back pain, neck, osteoarthritis of the knee)
Regulating hormones (PCOS)
Digestive (irritable bowel syndrome)
Mood disorders (depression)
There is substantial evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture for short-term relief of migraine headache, neck pain including chronic, temporomandibular (TMJ) pain, and for improvement in the symptoms of overactive bladder syndrome.
Acupuncture is included in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), UK clinical guidelines for Headaches (NICE CG150) and Chronic pain (primary and secondary)(NICE CG193).
TCM has also an extensive history of treating gynaecological conditions including infertility, and in the last 20 years there has been a special interest to find out how the use of acupuncture could help increase the success of modern assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF, see Fertility and IVF Support page
The most up to date acupuncture evidence summaries of fully referenced literature reviews for a variety of health conditions can be found at the Evidence Based Acupuncture project.
What can I expect at my first acupuncture visit?
You will be asked to complete a comprehensive pre-consultation form. An initial phone call is required before seeing you in person, this provides an opportunity to discuss your goals and the areas of treatment to focus on. During this consultation we will explore aspects of your medical history, lifestyle (diet, sleep, exercise, stress levels, etc), and menstrual cycle for females. During your in person visit, examinations such as taking your pulse, looking at your tongue and abdominal palpation (feeling for areas of pain or temperature changes in the skin) will help identify any patterns of imbalance and inform which points to treat during the session. Once needles are inserted they are left to take effect for 20 to 30 minutes. Appointments are up to 40-45 minutes long.
Acupuncture points are located in all areas of the body, typically a treatment
will involve selecting points from below the elbows and knees, around the abdomen, around head, ears and face, or on the back. Not two treatments are the same, depending on the strategy, but generally around 10-12 needles are used each time. Lifestyle advice is an integral component of acupuncture treatment and suggestions based on your acupuncture-related diagnosis may be made.
Does it have side effects?
Drowsiness, some nausea, dizziness and tiredness may occur after a treatment in a small number of patients, the advice is not to drive until this has resolved. To minimise risks please let your acupuncturist know if you feel hot, thirsty, or you are especially nervous. Some people may experience minor bleeding or bruising, and a dull ache at the needle sites after treatment it is normal and nothing to worry about. Some more uncommon side- effects (1 to 10 of every 1000 people) are headache, local muscle pain or strong pain during needling. Cupping and gua sha can lead to dark/purple patches on the skin called petechia, as seen in the dark rings from cupping on elite athletes such as swimmers, which they disappear after a few days.
Do I have to prepare in any way for acupuncture?
In order to prevent any feeling of faint that can result from having an empty stomach, it is recommended to have something light to eat within 2 hours prior to the treatment.
We recommend for patients to avoid having treatments on an empty stomach. Having something light to eat before a treatment, ideally within two hours, will help to prevent any feeling of faintness. Wearing loose comfortable clothes is recommended. Keep the needle, cupping, moxa and guasha sites clean and avoiding strenuous activity immediately after treatment. If you are concerned about any effects experienced after treatment please contact your practitioner.
What does acupuncture feel like?
Stainless steel acupuncture needles are single use, disposable and hair-thin; when inserted, they typically produce a feeling described as a warmth, tingling, sometimes a mild ache or sensation of heaviness that quickly settles into a comfortable and painless sensation. MRI imaging studies have shown that these sensations correlate with increased blood flow to the brain during acupuncture treatment. Very often patients fall asleep and report a sense of deep calmness and relaxation.
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is generally very safe so long as it is delivered by a properly trained individual belonging to a professional organisation such as the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC). BAcC acupuncturists are trained, and bound by Professional Codes, to provide acupuncture hygienically.
How often should I have acupuncture?
During the first consultation your practitioner will discuss a treatment plan based on your presentation and current circumstances. Acupuncture is considered to be dose dependent and the effects accumulating after a number of treatments: different doses may be required for different conditions. In general a course of acupuncture consists between 6 to 10 treatments and a review of progress should be expected after. For fertility and IVF support, a three month preparatory period is recommended, please see the Fertility and IVF Support page.
What are your professional acupuncture credentials?
I am trained at university degree level in traditional acupuncture (BSc Hons TCM Acupuncture, University of Westminster, London) which includes Chinese medicine, and western biomedical sciences including anatomy, physiology and pathology (3,600 hours of study). I am a member of the British Acupuncture Council, the leading UK self-regulatory body for the practice of traditional acupuncture in the UK, accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). I comply with current UK health and safety legislation holding full medical malpractice and public/products liability insurance cover and with the Code of Safe Practice and Professional Conduct.