Frequently Asked Questions

  • Acupuncture is an ancient practice, rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and increasingly supported by modern clinical evidence. It involves the insertion of very fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body to help regulate pain, restore balance, and support the body’s natural healing processes.

    You can find more information about acupuncture on the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) website.

  • Acupuncture supports the body’s natural regulatory systems by helping to modulate pain pathways, reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and regulate the nervous system.

    One of its greatest advantages is that it is a safe treatment with no contraindications or significant interactions with medications or other specialist therapies.

    This makes it an excellent complementary option alongside conventional medical care, physiotherapy, pain management programmes, and oncology treatments.

  • When performed by a qualified professional, acupuncture is a very safe treatment with minimal side effects. My medical background allows me to approach acupuncture with the same clinical precision, safety, and responsibility expected in any medical setting.

  • Acupuncture involves the insertion of small, sterile needles but most patients feel little to no pain. Sensations can include heaviness, warmth, tingling, or a mild dull ache—these are normal and often indicate the treatment is working.

    If you experience any discomfort during the session, please let me know—needles can always be adjusted or removed.

    People sometimes experience sensations of fatigue or dizziness at the end of a session, or the following day, but this is just temporary. I will always make sure you are feeling OK before ending a session.

  • Acupuncture supports a wide range of conditions. My main clinical focus includes:

    - Chronic pain
    - Migraines
    - Fibromyalgia
    - Endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain
    - Support during Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy
    - Cancer-related fatigue
    - Phantom limb pain
    - Stress-related somatic symptoms
    - Persistent symptoms without clear explanation

    Check here for a proven A to Z list of conditions that acupuncture can help with. If you wish to discuss a specific condition or find out more about whether acupuncture is suitable for you, please get in touch.

  • Yes—acupuncture works very well alongside conventional medicine and is often most effective as part of an integrated care approach.

    Patients undergoing cancer treatment often find it particularly useful in controlling symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, pain, sleep disturbance, and general wellbeing.

    It is always used alongside—not instead of—your oncology care.

  • Initial Consultation: 60 minutes.

    I will take the time to fully understand your medical history, diet, digestion, sleep, emotional state, and your treatment goals.


    Follow-up Sessions: up to 45 minutes, including 20–30 minutes with needles in place.

    As in our initial session, I will check in with you to monitor progress, note any changes, and adjust treatment to suit your needs.

  • Every patient is different.

    Some acute problems improve quickly, while chronic or complex conditions usually require a longer treatment plan. Acupuncture works best over time, as effects accumulate and the body begins to heal from within.

  • Every treatment begins with understanding.

    Our initial consultation starts with a full medical history, review of any previous investigations, imaging, blood tests, and specialist reports where relevant. Alongside this, I use Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnostic tools such as pulse and tongue examination and the palpation of Ashi points (tender points).

    This allows us to design a personalised treatment plan, including planning the number of sessions, treatment frequency, and the most appropriate techniques for your condition.

    At every follow-up session, treatment is equally reassessed and adapted to your progress.

  • Yes — home visits can be arranged for patients who are unable to attend the clinic due to mobility issues, ongoing medical treatment, post-operative recovery, or personal circumstances.

    Request a Home Visit here.

  • Coverage depends on your insurance provider and your individual policy. The BAcC lists all private health insurers that offer some form of insurance cover for acupuncture treatment. Please contact your own provider for further information.

  • Moxibustion is a therapeutic technique that uses moxa, made of Chinese mugwort leaves. It works by applying controlled heat to specific acupuncture points or meridians.

    It can be held just above the skin, allowing gentle warmth to penetrate the tissues, or applied over an inserted acupuncture needle to deliver heat more deeply. In some cases, it may also be shaped into a small cone and placed briefly on the skin, being removed as soon as warmth is felt to ensure comfort and safety.

    The treatment produces a pleasant warming sensation and is often combined with acupuncture.

    Learn more about Moxibustion here.

  • Cupping therapy is a traditional technique that places glass cups on the skin to create gentle suction. This controlled negative pressure helps improve circulation, release muscular tension, and stimulates healing at a cellular level.

    It is particularly useful in patterns of stagnation and heat, often seen in musculoskeletal pain, neck and back tension, headaches, migraines, and chronic muscle tightness.

    Cupping is frequently combined with acupuncture to enhance treatment outcomes and support recovery.

    The temporary marks that may appear after treatment are a normal result of increased local circulation and superficial capillary release. They are harmless, expected, and usually fade within a few days.

  • Wear loose comfortable clothing.
    This will help you to be relaxed during the treatment and allows easier access to many of the acupuncture points.

  • Yes - cancellations made 48 hours or more in advance of the appointment time will receive a 100% refund.

    The full appointment fee will be charged for appointments cancelled less than 48 hours in advance and for no-shows.

  • The first step is to book an initial consultation.

    This appointment lasts approximately 60 minutes and includes a full medical history, review of previous investigations and specialist reports, symptom assessment, and Traditional Chinese Medicine evaluation.

    We will then create a treatment plan together based on your condition, symptoms, and goals.

    If you have any questions about your condition, would like to understand if acupuncture is suitable for you, or any other doubts before booking an appointment, I’m happy to help. Feel free to get in touch via the contact form, by email, or by phone.