Acupuncture for Aches and Pains

Aches and pains that linger for months, move around the body or never quite get a diagnosis can be wearing and worrying. NICE now lists acupuncture as an option for this kind of long-term pain, and in trials involving thousands of people acupuncture has eased chronic pain, with benefits lasting months. Our practitioners have been treating pain in London for 25 years.

Book an initial consultation or call 0207 935 2030 for a free 15-minute chat.

What causes long-term aches and pains?

Some pain has a clear cause, such as an injury or arthritis. But many people live with aches in their muscles and joints, tiredness and stiffness where tests come back normal. Doctors call pain lasting over three months with no condition that fully explains it “chronic primary pain”. It often goes hand in hand with poor sleep, stress and low mood, and can follow a viral illness.

Pain like this should always be checked by your GP first. See your GP promptly if you have unexplained weight loss, fever or night sweats, swollen joints, or pain that is getting steadily worse. If you’ve been diagnosed with fibromyalgia or arthritis, read those pages too.

How acupuncture can help

For long-term aches and pains, acupuncture can reduce pain and help you feel and move better day to day. It works best alongside gentle exercise, good sleep and support for stress, and many patients find it gives them enough relief to get going with those changes.

Because this kind of pain is so individual, we take time to understand your whole picture, including sleep, energy, mood and work, and tailor treatment to what’s troubling you most. We’ll tell you honestly if we think something needs further medical investigation.

Researchers think acupuncture works partly by changing how nerves and the brain process pain signals, including the release of the body’s own pain-relieving chemicals. The exact mechanisms are still being studied.

What the research shows

  • Vickers et al., 2018 (Journal of Pain) — combined raw data from 39 trials and 20,827 patients with chronic pain. Acupuncture outperformed both sham and no acupuncture, and most of the benefit was still there a year later.
  • NICE NG193 evidence review, 2021 — reviewed trials of acupuncture for chronic primary pain and found it improved pain and quality of life compared with both sham and usual care, leading NICE to recommend it as an option.

Results vary between people, and acupuncture is not a replacement for medical assessment.

What to expect

Your first appointment lasts an hour. We take a full history, look at any blood tests, scans or letters you bring, and agree a plan with you. Treatment uses very fine, single-use needles, left in for 15 to 20 minutes. Where suitable we may add electro-acupuncture, cupping or a heat lamp.

Most people start with weekly sessions and we review progress together after four to six. Initial consultations start from £80; see clinics and fees for details.

Why The London Acupuncture Clinic

  • 25 years treating patients in London
  • Degree-qualified practitioners who work alongside GPs and consultants, with close links to physiotherapists and chiropractors
  • Open seven days a week, with early-morning and evening appointments
  • Receipts for insurance claims on request

What our patients say

“I really look forward to my regular sessions as acupuncture can address all the aches and pains one knows about and lots one doesn’t know about! … Laura is a friendly, thoughtful and thorough clinician.” — P.B., Google review

Yes, it can be a good option. NICE recommends acupuncture as one choice for chronic primary pain, and large studies show it reduces chronic pain more than sham or usual care.

Most people have a course of six to eight weekly sessions, reviewed after the first four. Some then continue with occasional top-up sessions.

The needles are about the width of a hair. Most people feel a brief tingle or dull ache as a needle settles, then very little. Many clients find sessions relaxing.

Yes, for chronic primary pain. NICE’s 2021 chronic pain guideline says a single course of acupuncture can be considered, alongside exercise and psychological therapies. NHS availability varies by area, so many patients choose it privately.

Yes, if you haven’t already. Pain that hasn’t been explained should be checked by a doctor. We’re happy to see you alongside any tests or referrals.

Book your consultation

Book online or call 0207 935 2030. Not sure if we can help? Ask for a free 15-minute telephone chat.

Related: Fibromyalgia · Back pain · Neck pain · Pain relief

Written by The London Acupuncture Clinic’s practitioner team.