Typical prices in the UK
Private acupuncture in the UK usually costs between £45 and £90 per session outside London and between £60 and £120 in London. Initial consultations, which include a full history and examination, are often £10 to £30 more than follow-up sessions. Prices vary with the practitioner's qualifications, session length, whether cupping, moxibustion or electro-acupuncture are included, and the location of the clinic.
What it costs at Omnia
At our clinic in Chiswick, W4, a 60-minute traditional acupuncture session is £80 and includes assessment. Fertility acupuncture is £90 for 60 minutes. Tui Na massage is £85 for 60 minutes, cupping is £60 for 30 minutes, and a 30-minute Traditional Chinese Medicine consultation is £50. Home visits within five miles of the clinic start from £110 for 60 minutes. Courses of sessions are available at a reduced rate, and all fees are confirmed when you book.
How many sessions to budget for
Most conditions are treated over four to six sessions, so a realistic budget for a course is £320 to £480 at the single-session rate, less on a course. Chronic pain and migraine prevention may need more, and some people choose maintenance sessions every four to six weeks once they are better. We review at visit three, so you are not committing to a full course before knowing whether it is helping.
Can you get acupuncture on the NHS?
Sometimes. NICE recommends acupuncture for chronic primary pain and for migraine and tension-type headache prevention, and some GP practices, physiotherapy departments, pain clinics and hospices offer it. Availability varies widely by area, waiting lists can be long, and it is not offered for most other conditions. Your GP can tell you what is available locally.
Will private health insurance cover it?
Some policies cover acupuncture, usually when it is delivered by a practitioner registered with a recognised body such as the British Acupuncture Council, and often only with a GP referral or up to an annual limit. We work with Aviva, AXA, Vitality, WPA and Simply Health among others; cover varies by policy, so check your wording before booking. Our practitioners are BAcC and ATCM registered, and we provide itemised receipts for claims.
What affects value more than price
A cheaper session with an unregistered practitioner is poor value if it is ineffective or unsafe. Registration, session length, an honest assessment of whether acupuncture suits your condition, and a clear review point matter more than a few pounds per session.