Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the most widely used complementary therapies in the UK, rooted in Chinese medicine and practiced for over 2,000 years.
During treatment, fine, sterile, single-use needles are inserted at specific points in the body to support both preventative and therapeutic healing. Acupuncture takes a holistic approach, addressing physical symptoms, emotional well-being, and overall balance. It can be used as a stand-alone therapy or alongside conventional medical treatments.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective: Acupuncture is based on the concept of Qi (life force or energy) flowing through meridians in the body. When Qi flows freely, health is maintained. Blockages or imbalances in Qi can lead to illness or pain, which acupuncture seeks to correct.
Western Medical Perspective: Acupuncture stimulates sensory nerves under the skin and in muscles, triggering the release of endorphins—natural pain-relieving chemicals. It also supports the immune system, reduces inflammation, and regulates various bodily functions such as digestion and hormone balance.
What Can Acupuncture Help With?
Acupuncture may support a variety of conditions, including:
Musculoskeletal Pain – Back pain, neck pain, knee pain, frozen shoulder
Women’s Health – PCOS, fertility, menopause, hormonal imbalances
Mental Health – Stress, anxiety
Headaches & Migraines
Digestive Disorders – IBS, bloating, gut issues
Neurological Conditions – Neuropathy, Bell’s Palsy
Additional Techniques
🔹 Gua Sha
A traditional technique used to stimulate circulation, relieve muscle tension, and reduce inflammation. A smooth-edged tool is gently stroked over oiled skin to encourage blood flow and healing.
🔹 Electroacupuncture
Tiny electrodes are attached to acupuncture needles to deliver a mild electrical current, stimulating nerves, improving circulation, and reducing inflammation. This method is particularly beneficial for chronic pain, neurological disorders, arthritis, and muscle spasms.
🔹 Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture
Based on the principle that the ear is a microsystem reflecting the entire body, tiny needles are placed in the outer ear to stimulate healing responses in different areas of the body.
🔹 Infrared Heat Therapy
Infrared heat therapy has a restorative and rejuvenating effect on the body. Exposure to infrared light may improve the circulation of oxygen rich blood around the body, meaning, injuries heal quicker, cells regenerate faster, and pain doesn’t last as long. It can help relieve symptoms associated with a range of conditions, including muscle pain arthritis, inflammation, sciatica and menstrual pain.
Preparing for Your Treatment
Hydration & Nutrition: Stay hydrated and eat a light meal before your appointment. Avoid alcohol.
Clothing: Wear loose, comfortable clothing that can be rolled up to access key acupuncture points.
What to Expect
During Your First Session:
A detailed consultation to understand your main concerns
Discussion of diet and lifestyle adjustments to complement treatment
The Acupuncture Process:
Needles are placed at a bespoke selection of acupuncture points, chosen based on your diagnosis.
There are over 360 acupuncture points across the body, but only a few will be used at a time.
After Treatment:
Responses vary—some feel energized, others deeply relaxed.
Avoid alcohol and intense exercise for 12 hours post-treatment.
Your Team
Eloise Coulson
Licensed Acupuncturist
BSc(Hons), MBAcC, AFN (Acupuncture Fertility Network)
Eloise is a Licensed Acupuncturist with a First-Class Honours and over 3,600 study hours in both Chinese and Western medicine, anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology and psychology.
Eloise studied full-time for three years at the renowned City College of Acupuncture under the guidance of some of the UK’s leading acupuncturists and graduated with First-Class Honours. Her training involved over 3,600 study hours in Chinese and Western medicine, anatomy, physiology, pathology and pharmacology. Before this, she studied Psychology and gained a BSc (Hons). This combination of experience allows Eloise to offer a professional and non-judgemental space to help restore balance in both body and mind.
Treatment with Eloise could include electroacupuncture, Gua Sha (a technique to reduce musculoskeletal pain) and Auricular (ear) acupuncture. Common conditions that Eloise treats include musculoskeletal issues, stress, headaches, insomnia, IVF and fertility support, digestive issues and pain management.
Eloise is a member of:
The British Acupuncture Council, the UK’s principal regulatory board of acupuncturists which is regulated and approved by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care.
The Acupuncture Fertility Network, a professional special interest group of acupuncturists dedicated to helping individuals with fertility issues across the UK.
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It is advisable to wear loose fitting and comfortable clothing that can roll up over knees and elbows. If that isn’t possible don’t worry, we can work around whatever you arrive in.
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The effect of acupuncture is cumulative and the number of treatments is completely dependent on your personal needs. Sometimes fewer are needed, and sometimes more if a particular condition is chronic.
The ideal time to start acupuncture treatment for fertility is 3 months before you’re ready to conceive or 3 months before starting an IVF cycle. Treatment plans will have regular reviews and will always be agreed in advance between us.
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At your first appointment we will discuss your main complaint and I will carry out an in-depth consultation before starting your first treatment. I will also take your pulse and look at your tongue – a very useful diagnostic tool in Chinese medicine. We will discuss diet and lifestyle and how these can best compliment the power of your acupuncture treatments.
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There are over 360 acupuncture points all over the body, from the top of the head to the soles of the feet. It will depend on your diagnosis and we use a very small, bespoke selection during your treatment, not all of them!
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People can be affected by acupuncture in very different ways. Some people leave feeling energised whilst others can feel tired or relaxed. It is best to avoid intense exercise or alcohol for the 12 hours afterwards.
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Certain areas of the body are more sensitive but acupuncture shouldn’t hurt. The needles used are very fine, sterile and single use. A dull, prickling or tingling sensation is often felt as the needles get to work. These sensations are normal and we use this feedback from your body to help us best diagnose and treat.
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Acupuncture is one of the most popular complementary treatments in the UK, it is derived from Chinese medicine and has been in existence over 2000 years.
During acupuncture treatment, very fine, single-use, sterile needles are inserted at certain points in the body for preventative or therapeutic purposes. The focus of treatment is on the individual and takes a holistic approach to symptoms, signs and also the emotions. Acupuncture can be used as a stand-alone therapy or can be given alongside other Western medicine treatments.
From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective Qi (life force or energy) flows through the body along pathways called meridians. When you are in good health, the Qi flows freely. When the Qi is interrupted or slowed, illness or pain can occur. Acupuncture looks to address these imbalances by unblocking, balancing and stimulating the body’s innate ability to heal itself.
From a Western medical perspective acupuncture stimulates sensory nerves under the skin and in the muscles. This causes the body to produce natural substances such as pain-relieving endorphins. These endorphins have similar characteristics to painkillers that can affect systems in our bodies such as immunity, digestion and hormones. Acupuncture can decrease inflammation, ease muscle pain and boost the immune system by increasing the T-cell count.
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Acupuncture can help any of the following:
Musculoskeletal issues such as backpain, neck pain, knee pain, frozen shoulder,
Women’s health such as PCOS, fertility issues, menopause, hormonal imbalances
Stress and anxiety
Migraines and headaches
Digestive issues and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
Neurological disorders such as neuropathy and Bell’s Palsy
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Gua sha (pronounced "gwa-shah") is an ancient technique that has been used in China for over 2,000 years. It is used to promote healing, stimulate circulation and blood flow, relieve musculoskeletal pain, release tension and reduce inflammation. We use a small, smooth-edged tool to firmly stroke your skin, lubricated with oil, to help chi flowing again.
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Electroacupuncture involves using tiny electrodes attached to pairs of acupuncture needles to run an electrical current through the body. This circuit of electricity activates the sympathetic nerve fibres and increases circulation thus improving blood flow that is essential for reducing inflammation and kickstarting recovery.
Electroacupuncture can be useful when treating conditions such as neurological disease, chronic and acute pain, arthritis and spasms.Item description
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In Auricular Acupuncture tiny needles are placed into acupuncture points on the outer ear exerting a gentle stimulation that creates a response in a particular part of the body to promote natural self-healing. It’s based on the understanding that the ear is a microsystem representing the entire body. There are hundreds of acupuncture points in the ear, each correlating with a specific area or function of the body.
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Please make sure you are well hydrated, eat a light meal and avoid alcohol immediately before treatment.