Acupuncture can support a wide range of concerns - from pain, digestive issues, menstrual or hormonal imbalances, and fatigue, to sleep difficulties, anxiety, stress, and emotional overwhelm. It’s also a wonderful tool for seasonal balance and general wellbeing.

For more information on what acupuncture can help with, please visit the acupuncture research page on The British Acupuncture Council’s website.

Most people are surprised by how gentle acupuncture feels. The needles are very fine like a hair than a needle and many people find treatment relaxing. You might feel a dull ache, warmth, or tingling at times, but nothing sharp or uncomfortable.

We begin with a thorough conversation about your health, lifestyle, and any current symptoms. I’ll feel your pulse, look at your tongue, and may palpate your abdomen or back. You’ll then receive a tailored treatment that may include acupuncture, moxibustion (gentle heat therapy), cupping, guasha (skin scraping), or dietary support depending on your needs.

Please wear loose, comfortable clothes that allow easy access to your lower legs, arms, and abdomen. Plus a bottle of water or flask of tea to keep you hydrated and comfortable during and after your session.

It depends on your individual needs and goals. Some people feel a shift after just one or two sessions, while others benefit from regular treatment over time. We’ll work together to create a plan that feels realistic and supportive for you.

Yes! Acupuncture is safe when carried out by a fully trained, licensed practitioner. I’m a member of the British Acupuncture Council and follow their Codes of Safe Practice and Professional Conduct. I’ve completed over 400 hours of supervised clinical training, and I’m certified in both First Aid and Mental Health First Aid. I also adhere to strict hygiene, consent, and safeguarding standards to ensure your safety and wellbeing throughout every session.

Yes, acupuncture can be safely used to support children and teenagers, but it’s always adapted to their age, comfort level, and needs. Treatments for younger people are usually shorter, and needles may not be retained for long (or at all - sometimes acupressure, cupping, or non-needle tools are used instead). Parental consent is required, and a parent or guardian must be present during the session.

In the UK, clinical guidelines are published by organisations like NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) and SIGN (the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network). These guidelines are based on systematic reviews of research and often weigh both effectiveness and cost-benefit.

Acupuncture is currently recommended in the following NICE guidelines:

• Headaches in over 12s: for the prevention of tension-type headaches and migraines (CG150)

• Chronic primary pain in over 16s: as part of a wider support plan for conditions like fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, and chronic musculoskeletal pain (CG193)

While acupuncture is not yet included in every guideline, these recommendations reflect growing recognition of its value in managing certain long-term conditions especially where pain and quality of life are concerned.

It depends on your individual needs and goals. Some people feel a shift after just one or two sessions, while others benefit from regular treatment over time. We’ll work together to create a plan that feels realistic and supportive for you.

There are two ways to approach this question: through the lens of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and through the lens of modern biomedical research. Both perspectives offer valuable insight.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective:

Acupuncture works by supporting the smooth flow of qi (the body’s vital energy) along channels known as meridians. When qi becomes blocked or imbalanced, it can manifest as physical or emotional symptoms. Pain, for instance, is often understood as a stagnation of qi; an acupuncturist selects points along the affected meridian to help restore movement and harmony.

For example, if someone experiences frequent anger or frustration, TCM theory suggests the qi may be rising upwards, leading to symptoms like tension in the head, jaw, or chest. Treatment might include points on the feet to ground and redirect that energy.

The aim of acupuncture is always to treat the whole person not just the symptom. As balance returns, people often notice improvements in related areas such as sleep, digestion, mood, or energy.

From a biomedical perspective:

Modern research has proposed several mechanisms through which acupuncture may work. While no single explanation captures the full picture, studies suggest that acupuncture can affect the body in multiple, complex ways, including:

• Releasing endorphins and other natural pain-relievers

• Modulating inflammation and immune response

• Influencing nerve pathways in the spine and brain

• Regulating the autonomic nervous system (especially parasympathetic activity)

• Altering brain connectivity, particularly in areas linked to stress, memory, and emotion

• Engaging the body’s reward and mirror systems

• Helping to ‘reset’ the default mode network of the brain (involved in rest and reflection)

• Supporting the HPA axis (which governs hormonal and stress responses)

A 2021 study showed that stimulation of a specific acupuncture point (ST36) activated an anti-inflammatory pathway via the vagus nerve but that another point (ST25) did not. This suggests that different acupuncture points may produce distinct physiological effects, not just generalised responses to needle insertion.

[1]. Lund I, Lundeberg T. Mechanisms of acupuncture. Acupunct Relat Ther. 2016;4(4):26-30.

[2]. Liu S, Wang Z, Su Y, et al. A neuroanatomical basis for electroacupuncture to drive the vagal–adrenal axis. Nature. 2021;598:641–645