About Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a key part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) — a holistic healthcare system that’s been practised for over 2,500 years and is now used around the world.
In TCM, health is seen as the result of Qi (vital energy) flowing smoothly and in balance throughout the body. This energy moves through channels (or meridians) and supports all aspects of wellbeing. When Qi becomes blocked or out of balance, a person may start to experience signs of dis-ease — physically, emotionally, or mentally.
Many things can affect this balance — stress, emotions, diet, injuries, overwork, medication, infections, and even inherited traits.
Acupuncture works by using ultra-fine needles placed at specific points on the body to influence the flow of Qi. The aim is to support the body’s own ability to find balance and move towards healing.
Other tools such as ear seeds, cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, and acupressure may also be used as part of treatment, depending on what’s most appropriate for you.
What Can Acupuncture Treat?
The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) has created a range of evidence-based fact sheets offering general information about acupuncture and how it may relate to different health concerns. These resources are designed to provide accessible, balanced summaries of the current research. You can explore them here.
Fact sheets include:
Pain Management: Back pain, neck pain, knee pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, sports injuries, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, sciatica, carpal tunnel, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, post-operative pain, dental pain, neuropathic path.
Headaches/migraines: Headaches, migraines, and their recurrence over time.
Gastrointestinal Issues: Indigestion, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, nausea and vomiting (including pregnancy-related and chemotherapy-induced), and constipation and diarrhoea.
Women's Health: Supporting women's health, addressing menstrual irregularities, period pain, premenstrual syndrome (PMT), endometriosis, PCOS, menopausal symptoms, and infertility issues.
Respiratory Conditions: COPD, asthma, allergies, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis.
Sleep Disorders: Sleep quality and insomnia.
Immune Support: Recovery from colds and flus and helping to enhance the body's immune system.
Emotional Well-being: Stress, anxiety, depression, low mood, mood swings, and emotional imbalances.
Skin Conditions: Eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
Addiction and Substance Abuse: Addiction and support recovery.
Neurological Disorders: Bell’s palsy, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, tinnitus, and vertigo.
Reproductive and Urological Health: Male and female infertility, obstetrics, cystitis, and urinary incontinence.
Cardiovascular and Circulatory Health: Angina, heart disease, hypertension, and Raynaud’s disease.
Chronic and Systemic Conditions: Chronic fatigue syndrome, type-2 diabetes, obesity, cancer care.
Infectious Diseases: Herpes