Therapies
Acupuncture
Acupuncture from BAcC- and RCHM-registered practitioners. A 2,000-year diagnostic tradition, single-use sterile needles, and treatment plans paced to your case.
Overview
An ancient diagnostic tradition, applied with modern care
Acupuncture is one of the oldest and most-researched complementary therapies in the world. It draws on Traditional Chinese Medicine theory — meridians, qi, organ relationships — while sitting within a modern UK regulatory framework that demands hygiene, training and continuing CPD.
Our acupuncturists are dual-registered with the BAcC (British Acupuncture Council) or the RCHM. Many also hold a herbal medicine qualification, so where appropriate they can combine acupuncture with bespoke Chinese herbal formulas in a single treatment plan.
How our acupuncturists work
Trained, regulated, individualised
01
Pattern diagnosis
Pulse, tongue, history, presenting symptoms. Our practitioners read the case through the full traditional toolkit before placing a single needle.
02
Single-use sterile needles
Hair-fine, disposable, regulated. The whole experience is gentler than most people expect — and clinical hygiene is non-negotiable.
03
Treatment plans, not one-offs
Most clients see meaningful change inside the first 4–6 sessions. Acute pain often shifts faster; chronic patterns take longer.
04
Coordinated with other care
Works alongside conventional medicine, herbal prescriptions and homeopathy. Where you are seeing a GP or specialist, your practitioner coordinates.
Conditions our acupuncturists commonly support
NICE recognises acupuncture for chronic tension-type headache and migraine prevention. Beyond that, the evidence base is reasonable for a wide range of musculoskeletal, gynaecological and stress-related presentations.
- Chronic pain (back, neck, shoulder, joint)
- Headache and migraine prevention
- Musculoskeletal injury and recovery
- Fertility, alongside or instead of IVF
- Menstrual irregularity and PMS
- Anxiety, stress and sleep
- Post-stroke neurological recovery
- Nausea (chemotherapy and post-operative)
What to expect
From first call to last session
STEP 01
Free 15-min discovery call
A short call to confirm fit and match you with an acupuncturist whose case mix is closest to yours.
STEP 02
60-min initial consultation
Detailed history, pulse and tongue diagnosis, treatment plan, and your first acupuncture session if appropriate.
STEP 03
Course of treatment
Most cases run 6–10 sessions. Acute pain is often shorter; chronic patterns can be longer.
STEP 04
Review and discharge
A defined endpoint with a maintenance plan if needed — not an open-ended commitment.
Frequently asked
Does it hurt?
Acupuncture needles are about a tenth the diameter of an injection needle. Most clients feel a brief tap when the needle goes in, then a heavy or warm sensation that practitioners call de qi. The needles stay in for 20–30 minutes; most people leave feeling calm rather than sore.
How quickly will I feel a difference?
For acute pain, often within the first 1–2 sessions. For chronic conditions, expect noticeable change in the first 4–6 sessions. If we are not seeing movement by then, your practitioner will reassess the plan.
Is acupuncture safe alongside my medication?
Generally yes. Acupuncture has very few interactions with conventional drugs. Your practitioner will still take a full medication history at intake and adjust point selection where appropriate (e.g. clients on anticoagulants).
Do you offer dry needling, or only TCM-style acupuncture?
Both. Some of our practitioners are trained in Western medical acupuncture / dry needling for musculoskeletal pain; others work in classical TCM. We will match you to the style most likely to help your case.
Talk to an acupuncturist
A free 15-minute discovery call helps us see whether acupuncture is the right route for your case — or whether one of our other modalities would fit better.