Cut-price acupuncture clinic offers pain relief at the point of a needle

The new clinic, which runs on Mondays only, allows several people to be treated in the same large room at the same time.

The college believes it opens the door to a whole new group of patients - including those seeking help for chronic pain relief.

Screens at the new multi-bed clinic divide the room into bays to maintain privacy. "But many patients find that the shared healing space enhances their experience," said acupuncture course director Lara McClure.

Treating several patients at a time also means the college can reduce prices. An appointment in the multi-bed clinic costs only £12. Individual appointments, by contrast, cost £37 for a first appointment, falling to £22 thereafter.

Lara stressed that Covid safety remains a top priority in the new clinic. Three people can be treated at a time - but each bed is well-distanced, with screens between each couch. PPE is worn by students and supervisors at all acupuncture clinics, there is door entry for clinic patients only, Covid cleaning and 'minimal people contact'.

Lara said: "Running a multi-bed clinic has been an ambition of ours for a long time. The need to increase the capacity in the clinic after lockdown has catapulted us into launching this, a good example of the sort of creative change we’re finding space for this year!"

The college believes that many more patients, such as those suffering from chronic pain, may soon begin to turn to acupuncture for relief. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recently changed its advice to doctors on the management of chronic pain and now suggests patients should use physical and psychological therapies, including acupuncture, rather than always medication.

"NICE’s new guidance potentially affects the way many hundreds of thousands of people tackle their chronic primary pain," Lara said.

To make a booking, call 01904 343305 or visit nca.ac.uk/