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Your first session includes a 15-minute comprehensive TCM assessment with Susan Gu, covering your pain history, lifestyle, constitution, and health goals. This forms the foundation of a bespoke treatment plan, followed by 30 minutes of needling.
Acupuncture for Pain Management
Acupuncture for pain management at The HVN addresses the root cause of pain with precision treatment rooted in thousands of years of Traditional Chinese Medicine, delivered by Susan Gu, who leads our TCM team.
If this is an emergency, please call us and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
Price: From £200 | Duration: From 45 minutes
Acupuncture for Pain Management
What is Acupuncture for Pain Management?
Pain is rarely just physical. At The HVN, we approach pain management through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) — a sophisticated system that looks beyond the symptom to identify the underlying imbalance driving discomfort.
Under the expert care of Susan Gu, our acupuncture sessions use fine, sterile needles to stimulate specific points along the body’s meridian pathways. This precise intervention regulates the flow of Qi (vital energy) and blood, reduces inflammation, and activates the body’s own pain-relieving mechanisms — including the natural release of endorphins and serotonin.
Whether you are living with chronic pain, recovering from injury, or managing a condition that has resisted conventional treatment, acupuncture at The HVN offers a clinically informed, deeply personal approach to lasting relief.
HOW IT WORKS
Precision. Balance. Relief.
Susan Gu begins every treatment with a detailed consultation to understand not just where you hurt, but why. In TCM, pain is viewed as a signal — of Qi stagnation, cold-damp accumulation, blood stasis, or organ imbalance. Treatment is tailored accordingly, targeting both the symptom and its source.
Each session includes a 15-minute consultation followed by 30 minutes of needling.
What your session may include:
Acupuncture Needling: Fine needles placed at carefully selected acupoints to unblock meridians, restore Qi flow, and reduce pain at the site and systemically.
Moxibustion: Therapeutic heat applied via burning moxa near key acupoints to dispel cold, warm the meridians, and relieve deep-seated or cold-induced pain.
Cupping Therapy: Negative pressure applied to release muscle tension, improve circulation, and clear stagnation in areas of chronic tightness or injury.
Tui Na (Acupressure Massage): Targeted manual technique along meridian pathways to promote circulation and unblock energy flow where needles alone may not reach.
Gua Sha: Gentle skin-surface stimulation to encourage circulation, reduce stiffness, and address cold-damp pain patterns.
Safety & Suitability
Acupuncture at The HVN is suitable for a wide range of pain conditions and is safe for most individuals. Susan Gu conducts a thorough intake assessment prior to treatment to ensure the most appropriate and effective approach for your needs.
Expected Results
Many clients notice a meaningful reduction in pain intensity following their first session, with cumulative improvements across a course of treatment. A personalised programme will be recommended based on the nature and duration of your condition.
Book Your Acupuncture Treatment
Acupuncture for Pain Management
Price: From £200
Duration: From 45 minutes
Acupuncture for Pain Management Course
A structured programme of sessions designed to deliver sustained, cumulative relief for chronic or complex pain conditions. Susan Gu, who leads The HVN’s TCM team, adapts your treatment at each stage — refining acupoint selection and integrating additional modalities such as moxibustion or cupping as your condition responds and progresses.
Price: From £1620
Duration: TBA
Concerns This Treatment Addresses
Acupuncture for Pain Management at The HVN is particularly effective for:
- Headaches & Migraines
- Neck, Shoulder & Back Pain
- Sciatica & Lower Limb Pain
- Joint Pain & Arthritis
- Sports Injuries & Muscle Strains
- Nerve Pain & Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
- Menstrual Pain & Pelvic Discomfort
- Post-Surgical Pain & Recovery
- Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Syndromes
Meet Susan Gu
Lead TCM Practitioner at The HVN
Susan Gu leads The HVN’s Traditional Chinese Medicine team, bringing deep expertise across acupuncture, herbal medicine, and integrative pain management. Her approach is grounded in classical TCM theory and informed by modern clinical research — including evidence that acupuncture stimulates the release of the body’s own natural analgesics.
Susan takes the time to understand not just your pain, but your overall health picture. Every session is a clinical conversation as much as it is a treatment.
PRESS COVERAGE
SUSAN GU ACUPUNCTURE EFFECTIVENESS FOR HEALING ACUTE PAIN
| Symptom | Number of Needles | One-Time Cure Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Acute Stiff Neck | 3 needles | Up to 70–80% |
| Acute Lumbar Sprain | 2 needles | Up to 80% |
| Acute Ankle Sprain | 1 needle | Up to 80% |
FOR CHRONIC PAIN
| Stage | Frequency | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Treatment Stage | 1 or 2 times per week 6 sessions or more | Up to 60–70% improvement |
| Maintenance Stage | Once per week 6 sessions or more | Up to 80–90% improvement |
| Ongoing Care Stage | Regular sustained sessions | Helps prevent pain recurrence |
FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is acupuncture safe?
Yes. Acupuncture is considered a safe treatment when performed by a qualified practitioner using sterile, single-use needles. At The HVN, every treatment is delivered by experienced Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners following rigorous clinical standards and a personalised approach to care. Before treatment begins, we conduct a detailed consultation to understand your health history, symptoms, and goals, ensuring acupuncture is appropriate for your needs.
What are the qualifications and experience of the practitioner?
Acupuncture at The HVN is led by Susan Gu, a highly experienced Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner with a distinguished clinical background and family heritage in Chinese medicine. She is renowned for her pioneering Three-Dimensional Acupuncture Method, which combines traditional diagnostic principles with a modern, integrative approach to support hormonal health, stress resilience, circulation, fertility, pain management, and overall wellbeing.
The HVN also works with highly qualified acupuncture practitioners who share the clinic’s commitment to personalised, longevity-focused care.
What should I expect during my first visit?
Your first acupuncture appointment at The HVN begins with a comprehensive consultation. Your practitioner will explore your health history, lifestyle, symptoms, wellness goals, and any underlying factors that may be contributing to your concerns. This allows us to understand your individual constitution and create a treatment plan tailored specifically to you.
If appropriate, your acupuncture treatment may be carried out during the same appointment. Many clients find the experience deeply relaxing and leave feeling calmer, more balanced, and refreshed. Depending on your goals, your practitioner may also discuss complementary therapies available at The HVN, including cupping, acupressure, or functional wellness support.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Most people find acupuncture far more comfortable than they expect. The needles used are extremely fine and are significantly thinner than those used for injections or blood tests. You may notice a mild sensation such as tingling, warmth, heaviness, or a gentle ache when a point is activated, but treatment is generally well tolerated.
At The HVN, acupuncture is designed to support nervous system regulation and restore balance throughout the body. Many clients find treatments deeply calming, with some even falling asleep during their session.
Complementary Treatments for Enhanced Results
