Acupuncture in York

We only use very fine pre-sterilised acupuncture needles that are disposed of immediately after use

If you are looking for acupuncture in York and Yorkshire, we have a team of renowned and experienced experts in acupuncture at the York Clinic.

People come to the clinic for acupuncture in York to help with a wide-range of symptoms or to relieve specific symptoms, like arthritis of the knee. Some use acupuncture because they feel generally unwell but have no obvious diagnosis. Acupuncture is also used to enhance feelings of well-being by increasing energy, vitality, and zest for life. 

It is a safe, gentle and relaxing form of treatment, which can benefit people of all ages. Acupuncturists look at disease in a unique way. By taking into account the whole of your life, from your physical and emotional state through to your lifestyle, an acupuncturist can draw on a more complete picture of your condition. As a result, it is possible to treat the deeper pattern of disharmony underlying the specific symptoms. Acupuncture can be used effectively alongside conventional medicine. 

 There is now a core of evidence-based research showing that acupuncture is effective and cost-effective for specific conditions, and is safe in competent hands. Doctors increasingly appreciate it, with 83% of GPs thinking that acupuncture can be clinically useful, and 72% seeing that it can be cost effective.(1) There is also growing evidence about acupuncture for the following musculoskeletal conditions, including  arm pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, elbow pain, fibromyalgia, low back pain, myofascial pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis of hip, osteoarthritis of knee, shoulder pain, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction. There are recent systematic reviews conducted by the Cochrane Collaboration that in 2009 summarised the evidence on acupuncture in the treatment of headache and migraine. Recent interest in acupuncture for infertility has been supported by research from the University of Maryland that was published in the British Medical Journal in 2008.

Our acupuncturists at the York Clinic have been involved in acupuncture research. For example, in association with the University of Sheffield we helped conduct a trial of acupuncture for  low back pain, which was published in the British Medical Journal in 2006.(2,3) The results of this trial were central to the decision by the  National Centre for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to recommend acupuncture for low back pain. As a clinic we have more recently worked closely with the University of York on a number of studies, including trials of acupuncture for chronic neck pain(4),  irritable bowel syndrome (5), depression(6,7), heavy periods and  osteoarthritis of the knee(8). Details of these studies and the results can be found at the website of the Foundation for Research into Traditional Chinese Medicine.

All our acupuncturists are members of the British Acupuncture Council. Members have a minimum of three years full time training, must observe strict codes of ethics and practice, are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and engage in continuous professional development (CPD). This post-graduate study has enabled our practitioners to hone their skills, keep in touch with the latest developments, and in some cases develop expertise in areas of special interest.

York Clinic - specialising in acupuncture in York and Yorkshire

Call us on 01904 709688 to make an appointment with one of our acupuncture practitioners here at York Clinic or use our contact form and we will respond to you as quickly as possible.

Current offer: Hugh MacPherson is offering half-price initial consultation and treatment with acupuncture during November and December 2011. To make an appointment please phone 01904 709688.

(1)          Lipman L,  Dale J,  MacPherson H.  (2003) Attitudes of GPs towards the provision of acupuncture on the NHS. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 11(2): 110-4. 
(2)          Thomas KJ, MacPherson H, Thorpe L, Brazier J, Fitter M, Campbell MJ, et al. Randomised controlled trial of a short course of traditional acupuncture compared with usual care for persistent non-specific low back pain. British Medical Journal 2006 Sep 23;333(7569):623-6.
(3)          Ratcliffe J, Thomas KJ, MacPherson H, Brazier J. A randomised controlled trial of acupuncture care for persistent low back pain: cost effectiveness analysis. British Medical Journal 2006 Sep 23;333(7569):626-8.
(4)          Salter G, Roman M, MacPherson H. Acupuncture for chronic neck pain: a pilot for a randomised controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2006 Dec 9;7(1):99. [Full text]
(5)          Reynolds JA, Bland JM, MacPherson H. Acupuncture for irritable bowel syndrome: an exploratory randomised controlled trial. Acupunct Med 2008; 26(1):8-16.
(6)          MacPherson H, Thorpe L, Thomas K. "Acupuncture for depression: first steps in a clinical evaluation."  Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine. 2004; 10(6): 1083-1091. 
(7)          Schroer S, MacPherson H. Acupuncture, or non-directive counselling versus usual care for the treatment of depression: a pilot study. Trials, 2009; 10:3 [Full  text]
(8)          Lansdown  H, Howard  K, Stephen Brealey S, Hugh MacPherson H. Acupuncture for pain and osteoarthritis of the knee: a pilot study for an open parallel-arm randomised controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2009 Oct 24;10:130. 

 Acupuncture in York and Yorkshire