Acupuncture Clinics at NCA
Welcome to our acupuncture clinics. All of our clinics are teaching clinics which means you will be treated by a team of students under the supervision of one of our clinical supervisors. Together they ensure you receive the highest standards of diagnosis, treatment and patient care. Our clinical supervisors are all highly experienced and qualified acupuncture practitioners as well as being members of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC).
We have three different locations so please choose your preferred location to find out more about being treated with Acupuncture:
How do I book an appointment or find out more?
Call us on 0333 996 2726 - our reception is open Monday to Friday 8.45am-3.45pm or send an e-mail enquiry
Book your appointment now
Please keep reading for more information about acupuncture, our clinics and our students:
About acupuncture
Acupuncture has been practiced in the East for centuries to promote, maintain and restore good health and over the millennia has treated every kind of disease. This holistic form of medicine is now popular in the West as an effective treatment for many conditions and can be used effectively alongside conventional medicine and the medical profession is increasingly recognising the benefits of acupuncture and the current research evidence. The National Guidelines for Clinical and Healthcare Excellence (NICE) now recommend acupuncture as a treatment for chronic pain conditions.
About our acupuncture students
Our students are completing their acupuncture practitioner training, studying for a BSc in Acupuncture. It takes three years of training to qualify as an acupuncturist. Alongside their study of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, students also study Western medicine. In our teaching clinic, treatments are led by a third year senior student and assisted by students from the first and second year. Your treatment is always supervised by a member of our clinical staff to ensure the highest standards of treatment and care are maintained.
More information about acupuncture courses
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture has proved to be very safe in all studies undertaken. The needles used are all sterile and only used once and disposed of straight after use.
Can acupuncture help me?
Because traditional acupuncture aims to treat the whole person rather than specific symptoms in isolation, it can be used to treat a wide range of problems. Many people decide upon acupuncture to help with a specific condition (such as osteoarthritis of the knee) and others because they feel generally unwell and would like to enhance their feeling of wellbeing. Acupuncture is suitable for people of all ages and for a wide variety of conditions.
Fact sheets about conditions that acupuncture can help
What happens when I come for my first appointment?
Be prepared to spend up to two hours with us, during which a detailed assessment will take place and your treatment will be planned. After you have told us about your concerns, we will ask you more general questions about your general health and lifestyle. We will also take your pulse and look at your tongue (your tongue may be photographed) as these can provide useful information as to how your body is working. Based on this information we will make a diagnosis and put together your personal treatment plan. Acupuncture points are selected according to your symptoms and the needles are inserted. Once the needles are inserted you are normally left to relax for about 20 minutes after which the needles are removed. We advise you to wear loose-fitting clothing and not to eat a heavy meal before your appointment. NB - During your first appointment you will normally receive a treatment but this is not always possible. Your future appointments should last about an hour.
The College is involved in collecting research data and our patients assist with this by completing a MYMOP form during the first appointment, then at the third and sixth appointment. This information is anonymous and provides vital information for proving the efficacy of acupuncture.
Please read this leaflet with information for new patients in the acupuncture teaching clinic
How many sessions will I need?
Although people respond differently to acupuncture, we will always give you an estimate of how many treatments we think you will need. Typically we will recommend a course of treatments comprising of an initial consultation taking two hours, followed by 5 weekly appointments taking approximately one hour. After this initial course the frequency of your visits is adjusted depending on how you are responding to treatment and your preferences.
I am on universal credit - do you offer any discounts?
If you are on Universal Credit, please talk to us about discounted treatment. As we are an educational charity we are always open to helping people to access acupuncture treatment.
I have private health insurance - is my treatment covered?
If you have private health insurance you may be able to get some help with paying for your acupuncture treatment. Please contact your insurance company to find out more. All our Supervisors are registered with the British Acupuncture Council. Please ask for a receipt at reception if your insurer will refund your treatment costs.
