Medically reviewed by James Walker, Service Development Director & Senior Physiotherapist, on 21/07/26.

Acupuncture uses fine needles, placed at specific points, to stimulate your body's own pain-relieving responses. At the White House Clinic it is delivered by specially trained physiotherapists at our Sheffield West, Sheffield South, Sheffield East and Kelham Island clinics in Sheffield, plus Barnsley and Chesterfield, on its own or alongside your physiotherapy, to help manage pain conditions such as low back pain, arthritic pain, tennis elbow, and tension-type headache or migraine. For headache and migraine, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends considering a course of up to 10 sessions of acupuncture over 5 to 8 weeks [1]. You can book without a referral.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles at specific points on the body to stimulate its own pain-relieving systems. It is thought to encourage the release of endogenous opioids, the body's natural pain killers, and neurotransmitters such as serotonin. At the White House Clinic it is delivered by specially trained physiotherapists, on its own or alongside physiotherapy.

Who is acupuncture for?

Acupuncture may suit people with certain pain conditions where the evidence supports its use. At the White House Clinic our physiotherapists offer it for low back pain, arthritic pain and tennis elbow, and for headache and migraine, including chronic tension-type headache. It is not suitable for everyone, so your physiotherapist will assess you first and rule out any contraindications before treatment.

What can acupuncture help with?

Acupuncture is offered at the White House Clinic for a defined set of pain-related conditions, used as part of a broader physiotherapy plan rather than in isolation. We commonly use it for:

• Low back pain
• Arthritic pain
• Tennis elbow
• Headache and migraine, including chronic tension-type headache

Some patients report a reduction in pain, improved sleep and a general sense of well-being after treatment. These are reported experiences rather than guaranteed outcomes, and what acupuncture can offer depends on your condition and how you respond.

Does acupuncture help with headaches and migraines?

For headache and migraine, NICE recommends considering a course of up to 10 sessions of acupuncture over 5 to 8 weeks for the prophylactic treatment of chronic tension-type headache, and the same course for migraine prophylaxis where first-line preventive medicines have not worked, are not tolerated, or are unsuitable [1]. This is framed as something to consider, not a guaranteed result, and your physiotherapist will discuss whether it fits your situation.

What does having acupuncture involve?

Your physiotherapist will assess you, confirm acupuncture is suitable and explain what to expect before treatment begins. Fine needles are then placed at specific points and left in place for a short time. Most people find the experience comfortable, though some mild sensations can occur, as covered in the questions below.

Acupuncture delivered within your physiotherapy care

At the White House Clinic, acupuncture is delivered by specially trained physiotherapists as part of your wider physiotherapy care, so it sits within an overall assessment and treatment plan rather than as a treatment in isolation. That means your physiotherapist can judge when acupuncture is the right tool for your pain, combine it with hands-on treatment and exercise, and review how you respond. We offer it at six of our clinics across South Yorkshire and North East Derbyshire.

How much does acupuncture cost?

Acupuncture is charged per session; see our prices page for current figures. Acupuncture is often used alongside physiotherapy, so our reception team can talk you through the right appointment for you before you book.

Book an appointment

You can book an appointment online or call our reception team on 0114 230 2030. No referral is needed. Acupuncture is delivered as part of physiotherapy care, so if you are not sure whether it is right for you, our physiotherapists can advise after an assessment, or contact the team via our contact page.

This page is general information and not a substitute for individual assessment. Book an appointment or call 0114 230 2030 to speak to our team.

References

1. NICE - Headaches in over 12s: diagnosis and management (Clinical Guideline CG150, recommendations 1.3.9 and 1.3.21): https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg150/chapter/recommendations