Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common health problems in the UK. Whether it’s lower back pain, stiffness, or pain that radiates into the legs, it can seriously affect daily life and mobility.

Our integrated approach means we look at back pain from different perspectives. From a Western medical view, back pain may be linked to the spine, discs, muscles, or nerves, much like a physiotherapist or osteopath would assess. From a Chinese medicine perspective, back pain is often seen as a blockage or stagnation of qi (energy) and blood flow. Treatment focuses on restoring smooth circulation and balance, while also addressing outside factors like cold and damp that can make pain worse.

In more severe cases, such as disc trauma, acupuncture can be particularly helpful when chiropractic adjustments may be too painful. Here, we can offer a gentle but effective alternative for pain relief and healing. Our aim is always to provide a personalised treatment plan that addresses the root cause of your back pain, so you can get lasting relief — even if other treatments haven’t worked before.

• Acupuncture relieves back pain by improving circulation, reducing inflammation, relaxing muscles, and supporting the body’s natural healing.

• Cupping Therapy used alongside acupuncture to enhance recovery, ease muscle tension, and provide deeper pain relief.

• Deep Tissue Massage targets tight muscles and knots in the back, releasing stiffness and improving mobility.

• Tuina & Healing Tuina Massage works along meridians and acupressure points to unblock energy, relieve pain, and restore flexibility.

• Comprehensive Healing Method is our most advanced pain relief treatment.

If you are not sure which one to choose, book a Consultation and our TCM doctor will customise our treatment for you.

Neck & Shoulder Pain

Neck and shoulder pain is one of the most common issues we see in clinic. It can be caused by stress, poor posture, injuries, arthritis, everyday wear and tear, or sometimes no clear reason at all. Whatever the cause, it can be both painful and limiting, making daily life much harder.

When diagnosing neck pain, we look at the exact location and type of pain, what makes it worse, and what helps ease it. This allows us to get to the root of the problem, rather than just treating the symptoms.

Acupuncture for neck pain is particularly effective when physical manipulation is not advisable. It provides a safe, gentle treatment that can ease pain and improve mobility, often within just a few sessions.

At Meditation TaiChi, we provide a complete service for neck & shoulder pain, combining Tuina or deep tissue massage with acupuncture, herbal medicine, heat therapy to achieve the best results.

Knee Pain

Knee pain can arise from many causes, including strains, injuries, arthritis, or joint degeneration, and it can significantly impact daily life and mobility. Diagnosis focuses on the location and type of pain, what triggers it, and what eases it, helping us identify the underlying cause rather than just managing symptoms.

Acupuncture for knee pain works by improving the flow of Qi and Blood in the affected area, reducing inflammation, relieving pain, and supporting the body’s natural healing. Techniques such as Tuina massage and cupping are often combined for optimal results. Clinical research supports this approach: in a study of over 500 patients, acupuncture for knee pain resulted in an average 44% reduction in pain and a 40% improvement in mobility.

Acupuncture, Cupping Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage, Tuina & Healing Tuina Massage and Comprehensive Healing Method are our most recommended treatment for back pain, neck & shoulder pain, and knee pain.

Scroll down to schedule your session and relieve pain today!

Sciatica is a condition where pain radiates from the lower back or buttock down the leg. It can affect one or both legs, and the pain may feel sharp, dull, burning, or like pins and needles. While the discomfort is felt in the leg, the root cause is often a problem in the lower back.

At our Euston clinic, we look at the exact location of your pain, how it feels, and what triggers or eases it. This helps us create the right treatment plan for lasting relief.

How we help with sciatica:

• Acupuncture for sciatica improves circulation of qi and blood, reduces nerve sensitivity, eases inflammation, and supports natural healing.

• Cupping Therapy may be used alongside acupuncture to speed up recovery and provide deeper pain relief.

• Deep Tissue Massage targets muscle tension and knots that put pressure on the sciatic nerve, helping release stiffness and restore mobility.

• Tuina Massage & Healing Tuina Massage works along meridians and acupressure points to unblock energy and relieve pain.

• Comprehensive Healing Method is our most advanced pain relief treatment.

We highly recommend acupuncture and deep tissue massage for sciatica.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), sciatica is often linked to Bi syndrome, a condition caused by wind, cold, and dampness obstructing the flow of Qi and blood along the body’s energy pathways — especially the Taiyang and Shaoyang meridians that run down the legs. Modern research supports TCM’s effectiveness for sciatica:

• Acupuncture relieves sciatic pain and improves mobility by regulating inflammation and restoring circulation (Yuan et al., 2015).

• Acupuncture combined with herbal medicine delivers better results than standard drug treatments alone (Wu et al., 2017).

Deep tissue massage targets tight muscles and connective tissue in the lower back, glutes, hips, and legs—key areas that can irritate the sciatic nerve. By focusing on these areas, deep tissue massage can:

Ease nerve pressure by relaxing tight muscles like the piriformis and hamstrings.

• Boost circulation to inflamed areas, promoting healing and reducing pain.

• Break down scar tissue and adhesions, restoring flexibility and improving movement.

• Stimulate natural pain relief through increased endorphin release.

• Support long-term recovery, helping prevent flare-ups and maintain mobility.

A 2014 clinical study found that a 30-minute daily deep tissue massage over two weeks significantly alleviated low back pain and sciatica—showing comparable results to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Scroll down to book your treatment and relieve sciatica pain today!

Sports Injuries

Half of the sports injuries are serious enough to require medical attention or affect daily life. The most common injuries include leg sprains, strains, and tennis elbow, which affects half of all tennis players.

Acupuncture is increasingly used by professional athletes to treat musculoskeletal injuries, both on its own and alongside therapies like physiotherapy and osteopathy. Many top sports teams, including British Rugby, Premiership football clubs, and the British Olympic team, have dedicated acupuncturists to help treat injuries and maintain peak performance.

Beyond physical recovery, acupuncture can also enhance mental performance. By reducing pain and muscle tension, it supports clearer thinking, alleviates anxiety, and helps athletes perform at their best.

Combine acupuncture with a Tuina Massage to stimulate Qi flow and enhance circulation. This approach aids in reducing muscle tension, alleviating pain, and improving joint mobility, making it beneficial for sports-related injuries.

Deep Tissue Massage also effectively addresses sports injuries by targeting deeper muscle layers and connective tissues. This technique helps break up scar tissue, alleviate chronic tension, and improve blood flow, which accelerates healing and reduces pain. Studies indicate that regular sessions can enhance flexibility and overall athletic performance.

At Meditation TaiChi, we treat a wide range of clients—from professional athletes to recreational sportspeople—tailoring care to each individual’s needs.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

RSI refers to a variety of conditions caused by overuse of muscles, tendons, or joints, such as tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. It can result in pain, numbness, tingling, or reduced strength and movement in the affected area.

Common causes include long-term computer use, poor posture, and repetitive keyboard or mouse activity.

Acupuncture for RSI works by stimulating the flow of Qi and Blood in the affected area, improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and relieving pain. It is often preferred over herbal medicine for treating repetitive strain injuries effectively.

Book your treatment online, and recover from injuries today!

Arthritis is a painful and often disabling condition that affects millions of people, leading to chronic joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation. It includes conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.

In Chinese medicine, arthritis is known as Painful Obstruction Syndrome and is one of the most common conditions treated with acupuncture and herbal medicine. Chinese medicine further classifies arthritis based on its symptoms:

• Wandering Bi (Wind Bi Syndrome): Pain that shifts from one joint to another, appearing and disappearing unpredictably.

• Damp Bi Syndrome: Joints that are swollen and heavy, often linked to excess fluid (synovial fluid) in the joints that restricts proper movement.

• Cold Bi Syndrome: Joints that feel cold and swollen, often linked to long-term exposure to cold and damp conditions, which block circulation and energy flow.

• Hot Bi Syndrome: Joints that are hot, swollen, and very painful, often associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

In practice, many patients experience a mix of these types, and treatment is tailored to their unique presentation.

What makes acupuncture and TCM effective for arthritis is this personalised approach: someone with hot, swollen joints will receive a very different treatment plan than someone whose joints are stiff but not inflamed. The goal is not to “cure” arthritis but to reduce pain, ease stiffness, and restore mobility so you can live more comfortably.

At Meditation TaiChi, we provide safe and personalised acupuncture treatments designed to meet your individual needs. Our experienced acupuncturists use sterile, single-use needles and follow strict safety standards to ensure your comfort and wellbeing. Herbal medicine, massage therapies, and heat treatments may also be combined to maximise results.

If you’re looking for natural arthritis treatment and want to take control of your pain, we invite you to book an appointment with us. Our team will work with you to create a treatment plan that supports your lifestyle and helps you move with greater ease.

Scroll down to book your treatment for arthritis care!

Almost everyone experiences a headache at some point. After puberty, migraines are significantly more common in women, often linked to hormonal fluctuations. Research shows that nearly 60% of migraines in women are associated with the menstrual cycle. Long-term use of painkillers can also contribute to more frequent headaches.

• Acupuncture is a safe and effective therapy for treating various types of headaches, including tension headaches, migraines, and PMS-related headaches. It is increasingly recognised as a mainstream treatment for chronic pain, and the World Health Organization endorses acupuncture for migraines.

• Tuina Massage works along meridians and acupressure points in the neck, shoulders, and head to release muscle tension, unblock energy flow, and relieve headache pain.

• Head Massage targets key pressure points on the scalp, temples, and forehead, reducing tightness, easing pain, and promoting relaxation.

• Reflexology focuses on specific points on the feet or hands that correspond to the head and nervous system, helping to restore balance, reduce stress, and alleviate headache intensity.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, headaches are seen as blockages of energy and blood. Combining acupuncture with Tuina, head massage, and reflexology restores the flow, relieving both physical and emotional tension that contributes to headaches.

A full case history is taken to create a personalised treatment plan, which may include acupuncture, herbal medicine, Tuina massage, and lifestyle or dietary advice. Many patients experience significant improvements, making it a highly rewarding therapy for chronic and recurring headaches.

Scroll down to book your treatment online. Start relieving your headache today!

Plantar Fasciitis

At Meditation TaiChi, we see many patients seeking natural relief from plantar fasciitis. This painful foot condition can make even simple walking difficult, but with a personalised approach using acupuncture, herbal medicine, Tuina massage, and foot massage, we help restore comfort and mobility.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), plantar fasciitis is often linked to Qi and blood stagnation combined with cold or damp accumulation that blocks the channels of the foot, causing pain and inflammation. Weakness in the kidney and spleen systems can also reduce circulation and nourishment to tendons and ligaments, leading to chronic discomfort.

We tailor each treatment to your individual needs, combining therapies that work together to heal naturally:

• Acupuncture improves circulation, reduces inflammation, and relieves pain in the foot.

• Herbal Medicine warms the channels, clears Cold-Damp, and strengthens organ function.

• Tuina Massage relaxes the fascia, releases tightness, and promotes faster healing.

• Moxibustion & Cupping Therapy applied where appropriate to improve energy flow and restore balance.

• Foot Massage targets pressure points in the foot, stimulates circulation, eases heel and arch pain, and supports recovery of the plantar fascia.

Modern research supports TCM’s effectiveness for plantar fasciitis:

Acupuncture reduces pain and improves mobility by modulating inflammation (Chen et al., 2020).

Herbal medicine enhances circulation and reduces swelling through natural anti-inflammatory actions (Wang et al., 2018).

Together, these treatments provide a comprehensive, holistic approach to healing the foot.

What to Expect

• Pain relief is often noticed within 2–4 sessions.

• A typical course of treatment lasts 6–8 weeks, helping restore fascia flexibility and prevent recurrence.

• We also provide long-term support with lifestyle and walking strategies to keep your feet healthy.

Schedule your session now to relieve plantar fasciitis pain!