What is traditional acupuncture?

Traditional acupuncture is a pillar of Chinese medicine—a system of healthcare practised for over 2,500 years. Ultra-fine needles are used to direct the flow of Qi (energy) in the body to restore balance and improve health.

Guided by principles accordant with nature, it takes a holistic approach, considering the whole person in diagnosis and treatment. This method addresses both symptoms and underlying causes to promote recovery and prevent illness.

Science.

Chinese medical theory.
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In Chinese medicine the body is viewed as an interconnected energy system, where Qi (vital life force) circulates through pathways known as meridians. These channels connect organs and tissues, helping to regulate blood and body fluids, and maintain harmony between Yin and Yang—two opposing yet complementary forces. When the flow through these pathways becomes disrupted, it can lead to imbalances that become pathological and manifest as dis-ease. An acupuncturist chooses specific points along these meridians according to an individualised pattern of disharmony, where Qi can be accessed and influenced, to restore balance and health. This medical paradigm considers not only physical symptoms but also emotional and mental aspects, while honouring environmental influences and the body’s connection to natural rhythms.

Western medical theory.
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While no single theory in Western medicine fully explains acupuncture’s effects, several mechanisms are believed to contribute. Acupuncture is thought to influence key physiological functions, including those of the nervous, circulatory, immune and endocrine systems. By stimulating peripheral nerves, it triggers the release of endorphins and neuropeptides, which help ease pain and reduce inflammation. It also promotes circulation, supporting tissue repair and reducing swelling, while balancing the autonomic nervous system and regulating both sympathetic and parasympathetic responses. Additionally, acupuncture interacts with brain regions involved in pain perception and modulates neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which influence mood and pain sensitivity.

Conditions.
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Below is a list of conditions commonly supported by acupuncture. More information and fact sheets can be found here.

  • Anxiety

  • Asthma

  • Arthritis 

  • Back pain

  • Bells Palsy

  • Chronic Fatigue 

  • Chronic pain

  • Colitis

  • Crohns

  • Cystitis

  • Depression

  • Digestive disorders

  • Endometriosis

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Frozen shoulder

  • Hayfever

  • Headache

  • Infertility, IVF & ART 

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

  • Insomnia

  • Menopausal symptoms

  • Migraines

  • Nausea

  • Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

  • Sciatica

  • Sports injuries 

  • Stress

If your condition is not listed, please get in touch to see if I can help.

Research.
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Acupuncture is no longer dismissed as a placebo. One of the main challenges in acupuncture research is that randomised controlled trials (the gold standard in research design) have limitations when applied to this field. Despite this, significant effort has been made in recent years to produce high-quality, evidence-based clinical research on acupuncture. Reliable information can be found here.

In 2012, pioneering work by Vickers et al. highlighted acupuncture’s potential for managing certain chronic pain conditions. This contributed to the growing body of evidence influencing the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which now recommends acupuncture for chronic primary pain, and for the prevention of chronic tension-type headaches and migraines. As research continues to evolve, I will share the latest updates through my channels.

Acupuncture branding with needle pointing right and plant design in purple, providing pain relief and stress management in Kent.

“Poetry in motion, philosophy in action.”

~ Sarah Pritchard