Acupuncture in London

Not quite. We practise Western medical acupuncture, an evidence-informed approach used by chartered physiotherapists within the AACP framework. It is guided by a physiotherapy diagnosis and current understanding of pain and the nervous system, rather than traditional Chinese medicine theory. The needles look similar, but the clinical reasoning is physiotherapy-led throughout your care.

The needles are very fine, so most people feel only a brief prick followed by a dull ache or heaviness as the needle settles. Serious side effects are rare when delivered by trained, registered clinicians using single-use sterile needles. Minor bruising, brief drowsiness, or temporary soreness can occur and usually settles within a day.

We use acupuncture mainly as an adjunct for persistent musculoskeletal pain, such as long-standing back, neck, shoulder, or tendon pain that has not fully settled with other physiotherapy. NICE guidance recommends considering acupuncture for chronic primary pain. It is one tool within your wider rehabilitation plan, not a cure-all or a guaranteed fix.

No. Kaizen is a self-referral clinic, so you can book directly online through Jane with no GP referral needed. Acupuncture itself is offered only after a physiotherapy assessment, so your first step is a physiotherapy appointment where we decide together whether acupuncture is appropriate for your presentation.

Tell us before any needling if you take anticoagulants, have a bleeding disorder, or are pregnant. Anticoagulants and bleeding disorders raise bleeding and bruising risk, and we apply particular caution during pregnancy. We screen for these at every visit and will adapt or avoid acupuncture wherever it is not appropriate for you.