Frequently
Asked
Questions
Does acupuncture hurt?
Not really—though you might feel a sensation. The needles are ultra-fine and most insertions feel more novel than painful. Sensation is never the goal; comfort is. Many people find treatments surprisingly relaxing, and some even drift off during sessions.
Is acupuncture safe?
Yes. When performed by a fully accredited practitioner (like a BAcC member), acupuncture is extremely safe. I use sterile, single-use needles and follow rigorous hygiene protocols at every session.
What conditions can acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture is commonly used to treat pain—like chronic pain, migraines, joint issues, and back pain—as well as stress, anxiety, insomnia, and menopause symptoms. It can also help with nausea, digestion, and some respiratory or neurological concerns. While evidence is strongest for pain and headaches, many use it to support overall wellness and recovery.
Are there any side effects?
One of the reasons many people turn to acupuncture is its ability to create meaningful clinical results with very minimal risk. Side effects are uncommon and, when they do occur, are usually mild—like light bruising or brief soreness at the needle site. Most clients leave feeling calm, clear, and often more energised.
Ed Nicholls Lic.Ac MBAcC
Growing up, having found many of my questions about my relationship with my life and physicality unanswered by the western society I occupied, my perspective was drawn east towards the promise of the rising sun. Since then, it has been my privilege to study with many wonderful teachers, through whom I have cultivated a practice with the intention of invoking and spreading the virtues and wisdom of the tradition.
Upon graduating in 2023 as a licensed acupuncturist from the International College of Oriental Medicine, I immediately turned my hand to the cause of oncology. I was welcomed by a community of warm hearts who afforded me the faith to assist their conditions. I have never taken this trust for granted and it continues to inspire me to do all that I can to unlock the potential of Chinese Medicine and deepen the support that I'm able to provide.
Ed Nicholls Lic.Ac MBAcC
Throughout my life, I’ve searched for answers to questions about my connection with the world and my physical self, questions that Western society didn’t seem to fully address. It was through this journey that I found a deeper understanding of the body, recognizing how the physical reality we inhabit, along with the stories carried within our tissues, shape much of our lives. Chinese medicine provided the framework that allowed me to work with this dynamic, offering a method to engage with the body’s inherent patterns and imbalances in a way that fosters productive healing and transformation.
My path has been shaped by the guidance of several incredible teachers from around the world who have helped me cultivate a practice that draws from the depth and wisdom of Classical Chinese Medicine in a way that remains accountable to the clinical reality of the present moment.
In my work, I focus on providing treatments that are both swift and deeply effective, rooted in the essential principles of this ancient tradition. The intention behind my practice is to honour the power of simplicity, using acupuncture to immediately address and resolve the underlying imbalances that impact both physical and emotional health. Each treatment is designed to provide immediate relief while also initiating a deeper process of internal alignment, setting the foundation for ongoing health cultivation and balance over time.
Ed Nicholls Lic.Ac MBAcC
Throughout my life, I’ve searched for answers to questions about my connection with the world and my physical self, questions that Western society didn’t seem to fully address. It was through this journey that I found a deeper understanding of the body, recognizing how the physical reality we inhabit, along with the stories carried within our tissues, shape much of our lives. Chinese medicine provided the framework that allowed me to work with this dynamic, offering a method to engage with the body’s inherent patterns and imbalances in a way that fosters productive healing and transformation.
My path has been shaped by the guidance of several incredible teachers from around the world who have helped me cultivate a practice that draws from the depth and wisdom of Classical Chinese Medicine in a way that remains accountable to the clinical reality of the present moment.
In my work, I focus on providing treatments that are both swift and deeply effective, rooted in the essential principles of this ancient tradition. The intention behind my practice is to honour the power of simplicity, using acupuncture to immediately address and resolve the underlying imbalances that impact both physical and emotional health. Each treatment is designed to provide immediate relief while also initiating a deeper process of internal alignment, setting the foundation for ongoing health cultivation and balance over time.
“I’ve been a regular patient for a while now and I'm always looking forward for our weekly session, where Ed does his magic with his needles and I start my week with an extra boost.”
Gabriel
Patient
“Ed is incredibly professional and was able to put me at ease during the treatment. explaining everything that he was doing, didn’t even feel the needles going in! After the first session,
I walked out of the clinic feeling more relaxed and grounded than I had in a long time. ”
Flavio
Patient
"Highly knowledgeable of his practice, I felt Ed was really listening to understand why I had come and wanting to help. I left feeling considerably less blocked and calmer. I will be returning again soon."
Karl
Patient
What patients have to say about
their experiences:
“I’ve been a regular patient for a while now and I'm always looking forward for our weekly session, where Ed does his magic with his needles and I start my week with an extra boost.”
Gabriel
Patient Review
“Ed is incredibly professional and was able to put me at ease during the treatment. explaining everything that he was doing, didn’t even feel the needles going in! After the first session,
I walked out of the clinic feeling more relaxed and grounded than I had in a long time. ”
Flavio
Patient Review
"Highly knowledgeable of his practice, I felt Ed was really listening to understand why I had come and wanting to help. I left feeling considerably less blocked and calmer. I will be returning again soon."
Karl
Patient Review
Clinic in Ladbroke Grove
Clinic in
Ladbroke Grove
Business Info
Location
W10 studios,
150 Barlby Road,
London,
W10 6BL
Hours
Tuesday: 12-6pm
Thursday: 12-6pm
Friday: 12-6pm