Phoebe's Blog

Dec 25

Research Into Acupuncture: 11 Facts About The Practice

When it comes to our general physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, adopting a holistic approach to health management is perhaps the best way to keep yourself in fine fettle.

As well as going through the usual channels if you have a complaint of some kind, such as going to see your GP and following their advice, you might also want to consider the very real benefits of acupuncture, which has been found over the centuries to successfully treat a wide range of different concerns.

What is acupuncture and how does it work?

In modern Western medicine, it’s understood that the body is made up of different complex systems (nervous, muscular, skeletal, digestive, respiratory and so on).

But in traditional Chinese medicine, an additional system comes into play - meridian channels that facilitate the flow of Qi (energy) throughout the body, interconnecting with tissue and organs. 

Each meridian corresponds to a different organ and in order for the body and mind to be healthy, Qi has to be able to flow freely. When this flow is interrupted, illness and disease manifests.

To help address potential Qi blockages, fine needles are inserted into specific points along the meridians in the body, either unblocking and moving the flow or redirecting it to where it needs to go, restoring normal function once again. And that’s acupuncture!

If you want to find out even more, here are just a couple of different studies forming part of the growing body of research into the benefits of acupuncture for different health conditions. 

Read on!

11 fast facts about acupuncture: What the research shows

A systematic review of high-quality medical trials by Vickers et al (2018) involved more than 20,000 adults with chronic headaches, osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal pain, finding:

• Acupuncture is more effective than control for all pain conditions

• The effects of the treatment persist over time (15 per cent reduction at the one-year stage)

• Acupuncture is not a placebo for treatment of chronic pain

Research from the University of York found that acupuncture and boost the effectiveness of standard medical care, reducing the severity of depression and chronic pain, and revealing:

• Acupuncture, used alongside standard medical care, can significantly reduce the number of headaches and migraine attacks, as well as reducing severity of neck and lower back pain

• Acupuncture can reduce the pain and disability of osteoarthritis, reducing reliance on anti-inflammatory pain control medication

• Acupuncture is cost effective, with value for money less than the £20,000 threshold cost per quality of life year

• Acupuncture, alongside counselling, can significantly reduce depression severity, with benefits sustained for up to 12 months post-treatment

A 2016 systematic review and metaanalysis into the efficacy of acupuncture in post-operative pain management (Ming-Shun Wu et al) found:

• Acupuncture treatment resulted in less pain and reduced use of opioid analgesics (which come with potential side-effects) after surgery

A systematic review and metaanalysis of randomised controlled trials (Quan et al) found:

• There is a benefit of acupuncture for outcomes in women with infertility

• The number of acupuncture treatments is one potential influential factor

• More studies with larger scales and better methodologies are now needed to further verify findings

Book an acupuncture treatment session

If you’re intrigued to find out more about the benefits of acupuncture for different health conditions, get in touch with the AcuSpa team today to see how we can help.

Nov 25

How Acupuncture Supports Fertility And IVF Success Naturally

Planning a family is always an exciting time, but if you experience fertility issues it can become very upsetting. The more you try, the more upsetting it can become - and this struggle can lead to other issues in your relationship, pushing you and your partner apart.

It’s important, however, to remember that fertility concerns are relatively common, affecting approximately one in seven couples - so you are by no means alone. 

And even if fertility isn’t necessarily a concern, it can still take a surprisingly long time to conceive, with studies showing that more than eight out of ten couples where the woman is under 40 will conceive within a year of having regular unprotected sex.

For couples that have been trying to conceive for over three years, the likelihood of seeing success naturally within the next 12 months is one in four, or less.

If you’ve been trying for at least a year, it is perhaps advisable to go and see your GP to have some tests done and build up a better picture of what’s happening, so you can make more informed decisions about your future.

However, another path to consider alongside this is the use of acupuncture, a form of traditional Chinese medicine where tiny needles are inserted in specific points on the body, with benefits for both men and women.

How does acupuncture help fertility?

In women, acupuncture has been found to: 

• help regulate menstrual cycles and ovulation

• balance hormones

• improve blood flow to the uterus

• reduce inflammation

• relieve symptoms of endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome

• increase IVF success rates

In men, the holistic therapy has been found to:

• improve sperm quality and sexual function

• support hormone regulation and testicular blood flow

• improve sperm count (including shape and mobility)

In both partners, acupuncture can help reduce stress and anxiety, support mental and emotional health and wellbeing, and engender a significantly healthier relationship environment, all of which will benefit conception attempts.

What happens during an acupuncture session?

When you come to see us at AcuSpa for your first appointment, you will be greeted by lead clinician Phoebe Yang who will go through your initial questionnaire and discuss your health/medical history with you, asking specific questions about your current symptoms.

From there, a tailored treatment plan can be devised that will address your symptoms and overall health goals.

Often seen as a form of complementary or alternative medicine, acupuncture involves stimulating sensory nerves beneath the skin and within the muscles to trigger the body’s production of natural substances, such as endorphins.

The practice exerts its therapeutic effect on IVF-related infertility through its profound regulatory influence on the female reproductive system. 

By skillfully needling specific points, it harmonises the flow of Qi and Blood within the Chong and Ren Mai, which are fundamentally responsible for uterine health and menstrual regularity. 

This ancient practice modulates the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis, fostering improved follicular development and endometrial receptivity, a crucial factor for successful embryo implantation. 

Furthermore, its renowned ability to mitigate stress and restore physiological equilibrium addresses a significant barrier to conception, thereby creating a more favourable environment for pregnancy to establish.

During your appointment, you’ll be asked to lie or sit down (potentially removing clothing to ensure access to certain parts of your body). Your practitioner will then insert needles either just under the skin or deeper to reach muscle, leaving them in place for a specific amount of time (anything from a few minutes to around half an hour).

You should not experience any pain during your appointment but make sure you let your practitioner know if you are in any kind of discomfort.

Nov 2025

What Can You Expect From Your First Acupuncture Appointment?

The most widely used and most well-known traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture can be effective at helping to relieve the symptoms of diseases by stimulating the various systems of the human body.

An integrated treatment that focuses on both body and mind, acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles along meridian channels in order to bring the body back to a state of homeostatic health.

A lot of people have considered acupuncture but have questions that they were afraid to ask ahead of their first treatment. 

Whilst we are more than happy to discuss any specific needs with you, here is what to expect from acupuncture ahead of your first treatment, as well as answers to some frequently asked questions.

What Does The Initial Assessment Look Like?

Before you have your first acupuncture session, you will have an initial consultation session where you will be asked to fill out a health questionnaire, which will shape the specifics of your treatment.

Acupuncture, as well as other forms of traditional Chinese and Western medical treatment, needs to be tailored to each person, their individual needs and their overall health.

This usually involves testing various health baselines, such as the rhythm of your pulse and looking at your tongue, examining underlying health conditions that may require a mix of treatments involving both acupuncture and general practice, and having a discussion about your specific needs and how acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine can help you.

All of this will determine how many needles need to be placed, how long they will remain and how many sessions you will need before the full effects of the treatment are realised.

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

Because of how fine the needles are and how precisely they are inserted into the meridian channels, you will barely be able to feel them at all. It is literally less than a pinprick or a vaccine injection; the most that people will feel during treatment is a slight tingle as they are adjusted.

Acupuncture treatments typically induce a sense of relaxation, making them suitable for addressing symptoms such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Where appropriate, it can be combined with aromatherapy massage or cupping therapy for a more integrated approach.

What Should You Do Before Your First Treatment?

You will receive some advice on what you need to know before your first session and when you may need to rearrange it. For example, if you are menstruating, we try to avoid administering acupuncture, and it is typically best to rearrange.

As well as this, you should make sure to hydrate and eat something at least an hour before your treatment, as acupuncture on an empty stomach can potentially cause a vasovagal response, such as fainting, as the treatment circulates energy around your body.

Make sure to have a snack before treatment, even if you typically do not eat breakfast. If you are feeling lightheaded or are fasting for religious reasons, let us know, as we may have to rearrange your session.

Try to minimise caffeine and alcohol consumption as well, as both can affect your ability to relax and focus on treatment.

As well as this, wear light, loose-fitting clothes made from breathable fabrics, as they not only allow the practitioner to access all of the important points of your body, but also will help you feel more comfortable and avoid the distractions that come from uncomfortable clothes. 

Similarly, avoid wearing strong perfumes or heavy makeup.

Nov 25

Acupuncture For Arthritis: 6 FAQs

One very common condition that affects millions of people in the UK is arthritis, where pain and inflammation affects different joints in the body. 

People of all ages, including children, can be affected by arthritis, which typically impacts joints in the hands, spine, knees and hips.

Symptoms of arthritis include joint pain, stiffness, tenderness, inflammation, restricted movement, weakness, muscle wastage and warm red skin over the affected area.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis but there are many treatment options that can help slow progression and which can provide you relief for your symptoms. 

This includes surgery, medication and lifestyle changes - but you may also find that acupuncture is an effective form of treatment, as well.

What is acupuncture?

The traditional Chinese practice of acupuncture first came to the fore around 3,000 years ago - and it’s still very much in use today! 

The idea behind it is that disease and sickness comes when the body’s energy flow (known as the Qi, which runs through the body to connect tissue with organs) is disrupted or blocked and needs to be brought back into balance through the use of fine needles, which are inserted into specific points in the body to treat a range of conditions… including arthritis.

The Qi flows through meridians, channels that correspond to different organs in the body. In order for our minds and bodies to stay in good working order, the Qi has to flow freely and sufficiently - and when this is hindered or impaired (such as through physical trauma, suppressed emotions or poor diet), illness occurs.

How can acupuncture treat arthritis?

It’s thought that acupuncture can help address arthritic symptoms by releasing endorphins to tackle pain, reducing inflammation, improving circulation to reduce swelling and relax the muscles, and helping any pain and stiffness you may be experiencing.

In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture works by regulating Qi and Blood, improving meridian circulation, reducing Bi Syndrome (blockages that cause pain) and supporting the body’s self-healing mechanisms.

How often should you acupuncture for arthritis?

Depending on the severity of your condition, you may need to go for acupuncture sessions once or twice a week for up to six weeks. This can then be reduced gradually as your symptoms improve. If you’re in acute pain or your symptoms return or worsen, you can always increase the frequency of your sessions.

How can you tell if acupuncture is working?

Check in with your body and how it feels. If you see a reduction in your symptoms, as well as improvements in anxiety, nausea and pain, better sleep and improved energy, these are all signs that acupuncture is working to tackle your arthritis.

Is acupuncture safe?

It’s widely accepted that acupuncture is a very safe practice so this isn’t something to worry about. 

You may feel a little lightheaded after a session, especially if you haven’t eaten beforehand. This is uncommon and usually settles very quickly. We simply recommend having a small snack before your appointment so you feel comfortable during and after treatment. 

Occasionally, there may be a tiny spot of bleeding or a small bruise at the needle site. This is very minor, not painful and will disappear on its own without any special care.

What other alternative therapies can help with arthritis?

Another option to consider for arthritis-related muscular pain - and something that we offer here at AcuSpa - is cupping. 

Here, stagnation is removed and the flow of Qi stimulated by placing glass cups on the skin and warming the air within to create a vacuum. Bodily tissue is drawn up into the cup to increase blood flow, potentially stimulate healing and loosen up the fascia (connective tissue).

If you’d like to find out more about acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, get in touch with the team here today.

Aug 2024

We are very pleased to announce that our Lead Clinician, Phoebe Yang has been admitted as a member of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) the UK’s largest, professional body for traditional acupuncturists. Please join us in congratulating Phoebe on her admission. 

"My professional ambition is to reach as many patients as I can. I will continue to better myself academically and professionally so that our treatment programmes are accessible to as many patients as possible. 

Adding BAcC to my professional qualifications means that I now belong to an accredited register, regulated and approved by the Professional Standards Authority for Health & Social Care (PSA). It also means that 

patients with health insurance could benefit from subsidised treatment under their policies.  

Insurers include Bupa, Simply Health, Healthshield, Medicash, Vitality Health. For a complete list of insurers please call my team for further information.

Phoebe Yang MBAcC

Lead Clinician

Your Well Being is Our Business