Anxiety doesn’t always feel like worry. It can show up as constant tension, a persistent sense of unease, racing thoughts or sudden waves of panic that seem to come out of nowhere. It can also affect your sleep and leave you feeling unsettled or on edge throughout the day.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, anxiety is considered in the context of the whole person, including physical symptoms, emotional wellbeing and sleep. Our approach to acupuncture takes your individual experience into account, exploring concerns such as tension, disrupted sleep, palpitations and digestive discomfort alongside how you’re feeling emotionally.
Not sure where to start? Take our free 2-minute health assessment for personalised recommendations.
When you’re ready, book your first appointment online. Your first appointemnt includes a full consultation and treatment, looking at your symptoms, lifestyle and health history. At The Get Well Clinics we make acupuncture affordable at £42 a session.
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“The community style is comfortable. I slept like a baby after my first treatment.”
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“I’ve been coming to the Get Well Clinic for over two years and my anxiety has reduced. My general health feels miles better.” Roxane
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“How lucky I am to live nearby. It helped my anxiety, neck pain and eczema after a couple of sessions. Thank you” Laura
Individual patient experiences. Results vary.
What Causes Anxiety and Panic Attacks?
Anxiety is the body’s alarm system going off at the wrong time. When it stays switched on, the nervous system can struggle to return to its natural baseline, and panic attacks may follow.
Understanding what is keeping that alarm activated is the first step towards treating it properly.
What Usually Causes Anxiety and Panic Attacks
- Prolonged stress at work, home, or both
- Poor sleep, which lowers your ability to cope with stress
- Caffeine, alcohol and blood sugar swings
- Hormonal change, including perimenopause and postnatal periods
- Past trauma or a frightening health event
- Family history of anxiety or panic
You May Be Feeling / Experiencing
- Your heart racing or your chest tightening
- Dizzy, tingling hands, or a feeling of disconnect from yourself
- A constant sense of dread with no clear cause
- Broken sleep and waking with a jolt
- Avoiding places or situations in case it happens again
Please speak to your GP if panic attacks are frequent, you have thoughts of harming yourself, or chest pain or breathlessness is new or unexplained.
Acupuncture works alongside medical care, therapy and medication, not instead of them.
Source: NHS, Anxiety, fear and panic; NICE guideline CG113.
How Acupuncture for Anxiety Works
Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people come to us. Research into acupuncture for generalised anxiety disorder has reported improvements in anxiety, sleep and mood, although more high-quality research is needed (Medicine, 2022; Jiang et al., 2025).
Research points to several possible mechanisms:
- Helping calm the nervous system: Anxiety can keep the body in a prolonged state of alert. Research suggests acupuncture may influence the balance between the body’s stress and relaxation responses, including measures of heart-rate variability linked to parasympathetic activity (Hamvas et al., 2023).
- Reducing anxiety symptoms: Systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials have found that acupuncture may reduce anxiety symptoms, including when compared with sham treatment or usual care (Annals of General Psychiatry, 2021; Jang et al., Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2026).
- Influencing brain chemistry: Research suggests acupuncture can trigger the release of the body’s own opioid chemicals, including endorphins, and may influence neurotransmitters involved in mood and stress, such as serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine (Han, 2004). These mechanisms are still being investigated.
Individual results vary. These findings are not a guarantee of outcome for every patient.
Lasting change often comes from small shifts alongside treatment. We also support you with:
- Diet & lifestyle coaching: removing food triggers, improving sleep, and moving your body more, at a pace that works for you.
- Stress-management tools: simple breathing exercises, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques you can use daily without feeling overwhelmed.
Flavio Cabral
3 months ago
The service I received was unhurried, kind, personal, as well very educative from both treatments I had on full body and head only (ear). I strongly recommend it.
Mdm Pleguebyrne
3 months ago
I first came to the Gate Well Clinic last year, and it was a fantastic experience. I'm now back again to help get myself back on the healthy path I was on before.
I feel that we live in a very different world compared to a couple of generations ago. Life moves at such fast pace, and much of our food has been depleted of its nutrients or replaced with ultra-processed alternatives, making it increasingly difficult to maintain good health.
Coming back to the clinic is helping me regain control of my health. The acupuncture treatment with George, together with the guidance and natural supplements he recommends, have given me the support I need to feel better, more balanced, and more in tune with my body.
I'm truly grateful for the care, knowledge, and support that George and the whole team provide. I would highly recommend the Gate Well Clinic to anyone looking to take a more natural approach to improving their overall health and well-being.
Tom Tom C
5 months ago
I have been seen by the fantastic Luke Warburton for a year for acupuncture & bodywork. He combines both skills in treatment at the get well clinics in Paddington. His knowledge really helps me maintain my health conditions like Fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis and anxiety. The get well clinics is my go to comfort zone for well being. Tom
Vincent Crooks
5 months ago
It's so good to have a place like the getwell clinic which for me is acceptable,affordable, clean and pleasant, with experience and professional practioners ,with the knowledge to read and diagnose ailments,
Vincent Crooks.
Emma Williamson
6 months ago
Marion is an excellent acupuncture therapist - I have really benefited from her treatment and highly recommend her.
Daria
8 months ago
Very good services at affordable prices. Acupuncture treatments have been helping me to balance my energy - either to bring it up or down depending on how I was feeling. Sheree is very helpful.
Fiona Blakeman
9 months ago
I couldn’t recommend this highly enough and I’m very grateful that this service is available in my local community. I’ve had a lot of experience receiving acupuncture, and despite the heavily discounted cost, the level of care, attention, and quality of treatment is exceptional.
The initial consultation is carried out privately, with treatments taking place alongside other patients. The setting is calm and peaceful, and I felt very safe and supported by both the practitioner and the environment overall.
Lucy Brook
11 months ago
This was a first time trying acupuncture, in a welcoming and tranquil space that's affordable to have professional treatment in a community clinic. I have several issues with my spine and I came initially with my sciatica pain at a 10 so severe for months struggling to walk and cope with daily functioning using mobility aids. I felt a major difference in pain relief after the first treatment and by the third session it has drastically reduced to a 2 and sometimes no pain on good days.
George is excellent and I feel so thankful, his knowledge and recommendations has been helpful and I've slowly been implementing. I come away from the sessions feeling relaxed and able to sleep better. I look forward to continuing my journey of pain relief, health and wellbeing, plus getting some normality slowly back in my daily life and functioning.
Elisa R
11 months ago
I went for several sessions this year to help with an extra heartbeat caused by stress. I also changed my lifestyle slightly, but acupuncture definitely made a difference. It takes time and trusting the process, and since I’m not used to slowing down, having this dedicated ‘me time’ was exactly what I needed.
John and Marion are knowledgeable, kind, and genuinely take the time to listen. I love how welcoming the community clinic is, and I always felt in very good hands.
Thank you to both of them, I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for support with stress or overall well-being.
Lucia Krupova
6 months ago
If you are preparing for IVF or struggling with back pain, you need to book an appointment with John.
I was a little bit worried about sharing room with other people but the place is incredibly peaceful which is exactly what you need when dealing with the stress of fertility treatments.
I came in for fertility support and a bad back, and I am amazed at how quickly it worked.
It only took a few sessions for my back pain to disappear entirely, and my periods are now perfectly on schedule. It has given me so much peace of mind and physical comfort heading into my IVF cycle.
Camilla Cooper
8 months ago
Get Well Community Acupuncture clinic is absolutely incredible. I’ve had really healing and helpful treatments with both Phil and Luke who are both exceptional & extremely caring practitioners. I can’t recommend this clinic enough for all your Community Acupuncture needs.
Maria del Mar Arranz Martin
11 months ago
Excellent service and professionals
John Watson
12 months ago
Very sympathetic and thoughtful treatment from Marion. I like the no-nonsense (and affordable) approach of having a communal treatment room. You still get plenty of attention and then lie and relax with the needles in whilst other people are attended to.
Vicki Zhang
1 year ago
Marion is super attentive and skilful - would highly recommend her to anyone considering acupuncture.
Sehr schön
2 years ago
I landed at Paddington location in Marion Rolling’s magical hands at the end of Jan 25.
I had high anxiety, heart palpitations and frequent migraines. I was always on high alert expecting a catastrophe at every corner and on the verge of tears at all time.
After a few Acupuncture sessions with Marion, my anxiety is manageable , I have more energy and I go for days without my previous symptoms. Also have not had a migraine since then.
I’m looking forward to seeing Marion a few more times this spring to help me with my hayfever.
Can’t recommend them enough. Thank you 🙏
Isabel Pitcaithly
2 years ago
Recently I attended The Get Well Clinic in Paddington where I had 3 accupuncture sessions a week apart with the very knowledgeable Marion Rollings. I did my homework before choosing Marion who has trained extensively including 7 years in China. I was impressed with how she managed to remember all I had told her in pre treatment forms and lying there relaxing with the needles in place ( completely painless) I could tell she remembered all about her other patients. I felt very relaxed and well cared for.
I had a problem with my ankle/foot which was very debilitating and this has greatly improved. I am so pleased as I was afraid to go out in case I suddenly couldn't walk any more. I no longer have this problem.
I was also concerned about headaches which seemed to take over my life. I can honestly say since the first treatment up to now several weeks down the line I have only had one headache which for me is amazing !!
To anyone considering a treatment with Marion go ahead. You will not be disappointed !!!
I plan on further treatments for my back when I have finished work in the garden. Isabel 76
Common Questions Answered
Patients tell us treatment helps with how often panic attacks happen and how intense they feel, and we teach you breathing techniques you can use in the moment. Individual results vary.
Yes. Acupuncture is intended to be used alongside conventional treatment, and many patients have it while taking prescribed medication or having talking therapy. Never stop or change your medication without speaking to your GP first, and do tell us what you are taking so we can plan around it.
Lasting change often comes from small shifts alongside treatment, which we support through diet, lifestyle, and stress-management coaching.
Acupuncture works by building change slowly over time, small shifts that add up, rather than one big fix. Everyone is different, but most patients start to notice a difference after several regular sessions rather than a single visit.
Treatments and Prices
First Appointment
Full consultation, treatment and a personalised care plan.
£42
Regular Appointment
Ongoing treatment once your initial consultation and care plan are in place
£42
Packages
Save up to 12% buying 4 or more appointments
£36.96 – £40.32
Why Choose our Low Cost Acupuncture Clinics in London?
Expert
Highly qualified acupuncturists, without the private clinic price tag.
Specialists in pain, anxiety & stress, fertility, migraines & digestive issues.
Whole-body approach
We use traditional acupuncture diagnostic principles to look at your symptoms in the context of your whole health, not just the area that hurts.
We look beyond the symptom to understand what is going on, and work to support the body back to balance.
Convenient locations
Our regular clinics in Camberwell (Tues, Thurs, Fri) and Paddington (Wed) are close to bus, train, and Tube lines, so getting here is simple.
Acupuncture Articles
You don’t need to understand how acupuncture works for it to work. But if you’re curious about the science, we’ve linked some articles below, with more on Traditional Chinese Medicine in our Articles section.
Acupuncture can be difficult to study. Researchers use sham acupuncture as a control, with needles placed away from recognised acupuncture points, but these “fake” points can still have an effect. Many studies are also small because research funding is limited. This means some conditions have not yet been studied at the scale needed for firm conclusions. That is not the same as acupuncture being tested and failing.
Where high-quality, large-scale research has been carried out, the evidence is much stronger.
Acupuncture for Anxiety: Latest Evidence
Jang et al. Journal of Clinical Psychology. 2026, finding reduced anxiety symptoms compared with sham treatment or usual care.
Does Acupuncture Work for Anxiety?
Effectiveness of acupuncture on anxiety disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Annals of General Psychiatry. 2021;20(1):9. See also Acupuncture for anxiety and depression: a review of clinical applications, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2018;31:31-37.
Acupuncture for Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Efficacy of acupuncture for generalized anxiety disorder: a PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2022;101(49):e30076. See also Jiang et al. Frontiers in Neurology. 2025.