Acupuncture: What It Involves, Evidence, Safety and Checking a Practitioner

Acupuncture is a treatment in which very fine needles are inserted into the skin at particular points. It is practised both within traditional Chinese medicine and as “Western” or medical acupuncture, where health professionals such as physiotherapists, doctors or nurses use it as one part of pain management.

The practitioner takes a history, asks about your symptoms, general health and medicines, and explains what they propose. Single-use sterile needles are inserted, often for around 15 to 30 minutes, and you may feel a dull ache or tingling. Some practitioners also use gentle electrical stimulation or heat.

A course of several sessions is usual. You should be told the expected number of sessions and cost before you start, and progress should be reviewed rather than assumed.

Evidence quality varies considerably. Trials often show modest short-term benefit for certain pain conditions, and it can be difficult to separate the effect of needling from the effects of attention, expectation and time. The NHS notes that evidence is not clear-cut for many of the conditions acupuncture is offered for.

Where a claim goes beyond pain, headache or nausea, treat it with caution: there is no reliable evidence that acupuncture treats infections, cancer, diabetes, fertility problems or other diseases.

Common effects include short-lived pain or bruising at the needle site, drowsiness, dizziness or feeling faint. Serious complications are uncommon but include infection if needles are not sterile, and rarely a punctured lung when needling near the chest.

Get medical advice before having acupuncture if you have a bleeding disorder or take anticoagulants, have a pacemaker or other implanted electrical device (electroacupuncture may be unsuitable), have a weakened immune system, are pregnant, or have a metal allergy. Always tell the practitioner about your conditions and medicines.

Acupuncture is not a statutorily regulated profession in the UK, and anyone may call themselves an acupuncturist. Two practical checks help:

• Membership of a register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority, such as the British Acupuncture Council, which sets training, insurance and hygiene standards.
• If the practitioner is also a regulated health professional — for example a physiotherapist, doctor, nurse or dentist — check their statutory register (HCPC, GMC, NMC or GDC).

Premises used for acupuncture generally need to be registered or licensed by the local council for hygiene, so you can also ask to see that registration.

Some NHS pain clinics, physiotherapy services and GP practices offer acupuncture, but availability is limited and varies by area. Most acupuncture in the UK is paid for privately.

Private prices vary by practitioner and region and we do not publish a typical figure. Ask for written costs for the first session and follow-ups, and avoid paying for long packages before you know whether it helps.

Complain to the clinic first, in writing. If the practitioner belongs to an accredited register, that organisation has a complaints process and can act on standards breaches. Hygiene concerns about premises can be reported to your local council’s environmental health team. For NHS-provided acupuncture, use the NHS complaints process.