Burning, tingling, numbness, or pain that feels like electricity rather than an ache.
Nerve pain behaves differently to other pain, and it often responds differently too, which is why it can be so wearing to live with.
Acupuncture is a drug-free option, and one where research has looked specifically at painful neuropathy.
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 expert support is affordable at £42 a session.
★★★★★
“My stiff shoulder, nerves in my toe and general blockage were all treated and I’m feeling much better. It’s a lovely tranquil space as well.” Anne
★★★★★
“Welcoming and tranquil space that’s affordable to have professional treatment.” Lucy
★★★★★
“John and Marion are knowledgeable, kind, and genuinely listen. I love how welcoming the community clinic is, and I always felt in very good hands.” Elisa
★★★★★
“George has an impressive ability to read pulse and diagnose. An incredibly knowledgable and experienced acupuncturist.” Vivianne
Individual patient experiences. Results vary.
What Causes Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, most often affecting the hands and feet.
It has many possible causes, and in some cases no cause is ever identified.
Getting a diagnosis matters, because treatment depends on what is driving it.
What Usually Causes It
- Diabetes, which is the most common cause in the UK
- Chemotherapy, where nerve pain is a recognised side effect
- Nerve compression or injury, including after surgery
- Vitamin B12 deficiency, or long-term heavy alcohol use
- Shingles, and some autoimmune and inflammatory conditions
- In a proportion of cases, no cause is ever identified
What You May Be Feeling / Experiencing
- Burning, or a sensation like electricity or pins and needles
- Numbness, often starting in the toes or fingertips
- Skin that hurts to touch, even lightly
- Pain that is worst at night, and disrupted sleep because of it
- Weakness, or feeling unsteady on your feet
Please see your GP first for diagnosis, as neuropathy needs investigating to find what is causing it, and some causes are treatable in their own right. Seek urgent help for sudden weakness, numbness or loss of bladder or bowel control.
Acupuncture works alongside that care, not instead of it, and we do not advise on changing prescribed medication.
Source: NHS, ‘Peripheral neuropathy’; NICE guideline CG173, Neuropathic pain in adults.
How Acupuncture Works for Nerve Pain
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, numbness and nerve pain are read as qi and blood not reaching the extremities, often with cold or damp obstructing the channels, which is why symptoms so often start in the hands and feet and worsen at night.
Treatment aims to restore that flow to the affected channels, and we use pulse and tongue diagnosis alongside a look at your wider health to work out where the depletion sits.
A meta-analysis of 39 randomised trials involving 20,827 patients found acupuncture provided greater pain relief than sham acupuncture across several types of chronic pain (Vickers et al., 2018), and NICE guideline NG193 recommends considering a course of acupuncture for chronic primary pain (NICE is the body that sets NHS treatment guidance).
As to why acupuncture works for nerve pain, researchers point to several mechanisms:
- Releasing endorphins: research points to the release of endogenous opioid peptides, including endorphins, the body’s own pain-relieving and feel-good chemicals (Han, Neuroscience Letters, 2004).
- Changing how pain is processed: a review of the descending pain inhibitory system, the pathway running from the brainstem to the spinal cord, examined acupuncture’s effects on serotonin and noradrenaline in dampening pain signals (Lv Q, et al. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience. 2019;13:38). Much of this work is laboratory-based, so these remain proposed mechanisms.
- Supporting local circulation: a systematic review found acupuncture increased local blood flow in muscle and skin (Kim et al., 2016), which matters where nerves are not getting the supply they need.
- Calming the nervous system: nerve pain and broken sleep keep the nervous system in alert mode. Acupuncture is aimed at the parasympathetic “rest and restore” side of that system, and a meta-analysis of 9 randomised trials found it affected heart-rate variability and parasympathetic activity (Hamvas et al., 2023).
Individual results vary. These findings are not a guarantee of outcome for every patient.
Living With Nerve Pain
Nerve pain is often worst at night, and the broken sleep wears people down as much as the pain itself. Alongside treatment, we also offer:
- Sleep and pacing support: practical help with the nights, which is where most people struggle most.
- Diet and lifestyle guidance: including where blood sugar, alcohol or nutrition may be playing a part, alongside the care your GP provides.
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
The research is set out in the section above. In practice, many of our patients tell us the nights are what improves first, which matters when that is where nerve pain is worst. 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.
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.
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 chronic pain
Vickers AJ, et al. Acupuncture for chronic pain: update of an individual patient data meta-analysis. The Journal of Pain. 2018;19(5):455-474. Thirty-nine trials, 20,827 patients.
Does Acupuncture Work for Anxiety?
NICE guideline CG173, Neuropathic pain in adults: pharmacological management in non-specialist settings, and NICE NG193, Chronic pain in over 16s (2021), which recommends considering a course of acupuncture for chronic primary pain.
How acupuncture affects pain signals
Lv Q, et al. The role of the descending pain inhibitory system in acupuncture analgesia. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience. 2019;13:38.