Work, relationships and constant stimulation ask a lot of us, and it is easy to reach the point where you are running on empty, whether that shows up as anxiety, flatness, or simply feeling overwhelmed.
Chinese medicine does not separate how you feel from how your body is doing. Two people describing the same flatness often present quite differently: one irritable, tense and sleeping badly, another wiped out with their digestion off.We would treat those two people differently, so your treatment is shaped around what you actually present with rather than a label. This framework sits alongside a medical diagnosis rather than replacing one.
Not sure where to start? Take our free 2-minute health assessment for personalised recommendations.
When you’re ready, book your first appointment online. This includes a full consultation and treatment, looking at your symptoms, lifestyle and health history.
At The Get Well Clinics acupuncture is affordable at £42 a session.
★★★★★
“I have noticed increasing energy levels and a greater sense of emotional and physical wellbeing. I am bowled over by the magic of it. The Get Well Clinic is affordable, accessible and very easy to book.” Faye
★★★★★
“George as an acupuncturist is incredible. I have seen him over the years and my emotional and mental wellbeing has improved considerably.”
★★★★★
“The treatments I received had a tremendously positive impact on my well-being, both physically and mentally. The acupuncturists are caring and kind. They not only provide a diagnosis and treatment, but also offer advice on nutrition and exercise.” Isa
Individual patient experiences. Results vary.
What Leaves Us Feeling This Way?
Low mood and overwhelm are rarely one thing. They usually build from a combination of circumstance, physical health, sleep and stress, and it often arrives so gradually that people do not notice how far their baseline has shifted.
Understanding what is holding it in place is the first step.
What Usually Causes It
- Prolonged stress, overwork or burnout
- Poor or broken sleep, which lowers your threshold for everything else
- Bereavement, relationship breakdown or major life change
- Long-term pain or illness, which is closely linked with low mood
- Hormonal change, including postnatal and perimenopausal periods
- Isolation, or carrying more than usual without much support
What you May Be Feeling / Experiencing
- Flatness, or feeling numb rather than sad
- Exhaustion that rest does not fix
- Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
- Waking early, or sleeping far more than usual
- Appetite changes, and difficulty concentrating or deciding
- Feeling you are managing on the outside while empty underneath
Please speak to your GP if low mood has lasted more than a couple of weeks, or is affecting your work, relationships or ability to look after yourself.
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, please get help now: call 999, go to A&E, or call Samaritans free on 116 123, any time.
Acupuncture is intended to work alongside medical care, talking therapy and medication, never instead of them.
Source: NHS, Depression in adults (nhs.uk).
How Acupuncture Supports Emotional Wellbeing
As to why acupuncture works for low mood, researchers point to several mechanisms:
- Acting on brain chemistry: research points to the release of endorphins, the body’s own feel-good chemicals, and has examined neurotransmitters affecting mood including serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine (Han, Neuroscience Letters, 2004).
- Brain imaging research also points this way: a systematic review and meta-analysis of fMRI studies found acupuncture was associated with reduced activity in the default mode network and limbic areas such as the amygdala, the parts of the brain most involved in worry and threat (Huang W, et al. PLoS One. 2012;7(4):e32960).
- Calming the nervous system: when you have been running on empty, the nervous system gets stuck in alert mode.
- Acupuncture is aimed at supporting the parasympathetic “rest and restore” side of that system, and a meta-analysis of 9 randomised trials found acupuncture affected heart-rate variability and parasympathetic activity, the measures used to track that shift (Hamvas et al., 2023). Patients often describe feeling lighter afterwards.
- Alongside antidepressants: a meta-analysis reported greater improvement from acupuncture plus medication than medication alone (Armour M, et al. J Clin Med. 2019;8(8):1140).
- Compared with medication: a systematic review and meta-analysis reported acupuncture was comparable in effectiveness to antidepressant medication (Zhang ZJ, Chen HY, Yip KC, Ng R, Wong VT. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2010;124(1-2):9-21).
Many of our patients have treatment while taking prescribed medication or having talking therapy. Acupuncture is intended to work alongside that care, and we plan your treatment around whatever else you have in place.
Individual results vary. These findings are not a guarantee of outcome for every patient.
Lasting Changes
Lasting change often comes from small shifts alongside treatment, so we also offer support through:
- Diet & lifestyle coaching: removing food triggers, improving sleep, and moving your body more, at a pace that works for you.
- Stress-management tools: easy breathing exercises, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques you can use daily without feeling overwhelmed.
Common Questions Answered
Only as much as you want to. We take a full case history so we understand what is going on, but you can share as little or as much as feels comfortable, and the treatment itself is quiet time.
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.
That is very common, and worth saying at your first appointment. We will agree something realistic rather than a schedule that becomes another thing to manage.
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.
Why Choose Our Low Cost Acupuncture Clinics in London?
Expert
Our highly qualified acupuncturists, without the private clinic price tag.
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
Convenient locations
Our clinics in Camberwell and Paddington are close to bus, train, and Tube lines, so getting here is simple.
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
Acupuncture Articles
What the Research Says
Smith CA, Armour M, Lee MS, Wang LQ, Hay PJ. Acupuncture for depression. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2018;3:CD004046.
Acupuncture vs antidepressants for major depression
Zhang ZJ, Chen HY, Yip KC, Ng R, Wong VT. The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture therapy in depressive disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2010;124(1-2):9-21.
Acupuncture Alongside Medication
Armour M, Smith CA, Wang LQ, et al. Acupuncture for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2019;8(8):1140.