Frequently Asked Questions

The British Acupuncture Council has published an overview of the ways in which acupuncture works from a biomedical viewpoint listing a wide variety of different mechanisms involved in the overall outcomes:

1.     peripheral effects (release of adenosine and nitric oxide by axonal and dorsal root reflexes)

2.     spinal effects (modulation of sympathetic tone and motor reflexes)

3.     modulation of endogenous descending paying inhibitory and facilitatory systems

4.     changing the functional connectivity of the brain. Activation deactivation of

a.     limbic structures involved in stress/ illness responses

b.     the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis

c.     the prefrontal and frontal cortices

5.     restoration of the default mode state

6.     modulation of parasympathetic activity

7.     activation of the reward and mirror systems

8.     modulation of activation of the immune system

9.     expectation, attention, conditioning an extinction of conditioned responses

A landmark study recently published in Nature showed a mechanism that is related to a specific acupuncture but not another. This study demonstrated that vagal-adrenal anti-inflammatory axis in mice was driven by the stimulation of the point ST36 but not ST25 [2]. The importance of this study is that it suggests a specific effect of an
acupuncture point. In other words, the mechanisms of acupuncture are not simply general effects which occur regardless of where the needles are inserted.

1. Lund I, Lundeberg T. Mechanisms of acupuncture. Acupuncture and Related Therapies 2016;4(4):26-30. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arthe.2016.12.001

2. Liu S, Wang Z, Su Y, et al. A neuroanatomical basis for electroacupuncture to drive the vagal-adrenal axis. Nature 2021;Oct;598(7882)(1476-4687 (Electronic)):641-45. doi: doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-04001-4

Acupuncture has been found to have very few risks of side effects.

The NHS state that the most common side effect is the risk of bruising after treatment, which occurs in less than 3% of patients. 

Other side effects are drowsiness after treatment and an injury becoming worse for a few hours after treatment - although this is usually a good sign of a healing reaction taking place.

Acupuncture needles do not compare to those used to take blood or give an injection; in fact they can fit through the middle of such needles!

Acupuncture needles are the same width as a human hair and although sometimes there is a sensation or some discomfort when inserting a needle, the treatment is not painful and it is very common for patients to sleep through their treatment session!

Acupuncture rarely has any negative side effects.

The NHS states that the most common side effect is the risk of bruising after treatment, which occurs in less than 3% of patients. 

Other side effects are drowsiness after treatment and an injury becoming worse for a few hours after treatment - although this is usually a good sign of a healing reaction taking place.

Side effects from acupuncture are positive - often patients will experience an improvement in their sleep, digestion, concentration or energy even if this not the aim of the treatment sessions.

Many insurance plans now cover acupuncture, but it is best to check with your provider to see if it is covered under your specific plan. The majority of insurers will only pay for treatment provided by a Member of the British Acupuncture Council like myself. 

For specific information about different insurance company policies visit my blog post 'Health Insurance and Acupuncture - Getting your Money's Worth.'

During an acupuncture session, you will lie down on a comfortable therapy bed whilst needles are inserted into specific points on your body. You may feel a slight prick or a sensation of warmth or heaviness. Some needles may be left in for 20 minutes but at other times they are removed immediately.

It is easiest to wear loose, comfortable clothing to your acupuncture appointment. Consuming a light meal before treatment is always a good idea.

Acupuncture treatment is a very personal journey, however treatment is accumulative and so it is always recommended to have three - five initial weekly treatments to allow the body to acclimatise to acupuncture and for you to experience the greatest impact.

The initial acupuncture appointment takes an hour and a half because a full medical history is taken for full diagnosis, then specific testing may be carried out, depending upon your condition. Finally, you will recieve your first, full acupuncture treatment.

All subsequent treatments will last for one hour.

Yes! Acupuncture is recommended by many midwives for morning sickness, pelvic and back pain, as well as turning breech babies and birth inductions.

Make sure that you only visit a fully trained acupuncturist who is registered with the British Acupuncture Council to ensure your safety during such an important time.