Western Medical Acupuncture

Acupuncture in Tottenham Court Road, London

Western medical acupuncture delivered by chartered, HCPC-registered physiotherapists trained within the AACP framework — fine, single-use needles placed at therapeutic points after a full physiotherapy diagnosis, used as an adjunct for persistent musculoskeletal pain rather than a standalone treatment, across our four London clinics.

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Chartered physiotherapist placing a single-use acupuncture needle at Kaizen Physiotherapy & Performance in London

The short answer

What this treatment is

Acupuncture at Kaizen Physiotherapy & Performance is Western medical acupuncture, not a stand-alone alternative therapy. It is always preceded by a physiotherapy assessment so the needling targets a clear clinical reason — usually persistent musculoskeletal pain that has not fully settled with manual therapy and exercise alone. Gus Hadonou, a member of the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP), leads this service, inserting fine, single-use sterile needles at therapeutic points to influence the nervous system and local tissue. NICE guidance on chronic pain (NG193) recommends considering acupuncture for chronic primary pain, and we use it as one part of a wider rehabilitation plan rather than in isolation. Your physiotherapist will tell you honestly whether it is likely to add value for your presentation, and we reassess pain and function at every follow-up to keep the treatment earning its place.

Areas treated

What's included

Delivered by chartered, HCPC-registered physiotherapists trained within the AACP framework
Always follows a full physiotherapy diagnosis, so needling has a clear clinical target
Recommended by NICE (NG193) as an option to consider for chronic primary pain
Single-use sterile needles, with contraindications screened at every visit
Used as an adjunct to manual therapy and exercise, never as a treatment in isolation
Available at our Tottenham Court Road, Liverpool Street, Marylebone and Wimbledon Village clinics

Boundaries of practice

What's not treated

Good practice means saying no when indicated:

Bleeding disorders, or anticoagulant therapy without prescriber clearance
Needle phobia, or an inability to remain still for the treatment
Active local skin infection or broken skin over the intended needle site
Pregnancy — particular caution, especially in the first trimester; discuss with your clinician before any needling
Known metal (e.g. nickel) allergy affecting needle tolerance
Compromised immunity or unstable medical conditions without clearance from your prescriber

Patient journey

What to expect

Consultation & preparation

Have a physiotherapy assessment first — acupuncture is offered only after a diagnosis. Eat normally beforehand, stay hydrated, and wear clothing that lets the treatment area be exposed. Tell us before the session about anticoagulants, bleeding disorders, pregnancy, a needle phobia, local skin infection, or a metal allergy.

During treatment

Step 1 — Physiotherapy assessment and suitability screen

Acupuncture is never the starting point. We take your history, assess your movement and symptoms, reach a working diagnosis, and screen for the needle-specific contraindications listed below. We explain whether acupuncture is likely to help, or whether manual therapy and exercise alone are the better route for you.

Step 2 — Needle placement at therapeutic points

Using fine, single-use sterile needles, your physiotherapist places them at therapeutic points selected from your diagnosis. Most people feel a brief prick and a dull ache or heaviness as the needle settles. Needles typically stay in for several minutes while you rest, with the clinician nearby throughout.

Step 3 — Combined with active rehabilitation

Acupuncture is used to create a window for movement, not to replace it. We pair each session with hands-on treatment where indicated and a progressive exercise programme, because the evidence for lasting change in musculoskeletal pain rests on active rehabilitation, not passive treatment alone.

Step 4 — Reassessment and honest review

At each follow-up we reassess your pain and function against the baseline from your first visit. If acupuncture is adding value we continue; if it is not, we say so and adjust the plan. We will not keep using a treatment that is not earning its place in your recovery.

Aftercare

Brief drowsiness, mild soreness, or minor bruising at needle sites can occur and usually settles within 24 hours. You can resume normal activity the same day. Continue the exercise programme prescribed alongside your session, and we will reassess your pain and function at your next visit.

Pricing

Transparent, all-in pricing

Initial Assessment

Price on enquiry

Follow-up Treatment

Price on enquiry

Written and medically reviewed by David Thomas , Founder & Chartered Physiotherapist · HCPC-registered · MSc · Chartered Society of Physiotherapy · Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP), with clinicians regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

FAQ

Common
questions

Is physiotherapy acupuncture the same as traditional acupuncture?

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.

Does acupuncture hurt, and is it safe?

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.

What conditions can acupuncture help with?

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 (NG193) recommends considering acupuncture for chronic primary pain. It is one tool within your wider rehabilitation plan, not a cure-all or a guaranteed fix.

Do I need a GP referral to have acupuncture at Kaizen?

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.

Is acupuncture safe if I take blood thinners or am pregnant?

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.

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Kaizen Physiotherapy & Performance • 111 Charing Cross Road, Tottenham Court Road, London WC2H 0DT

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Appointments typically available within 1–2 weeks