More than needles: a day in my life as an acupuncturist

I think many people imagine that being an acupuncturist involves spending the day with clients, placing needles and helping people relax. While that is certainly part of what I do, it is only a small part of the story.

On any given day, I might be reviewing complex cases, attending training, discussing research with colleagues, writing blogs, wrestling with spreadsheets, or trying to remember whether I moved the towels from the washing machine to the dryer.

The clinical work

Before a client arrives, I prepare the treatment room so it feels both clean and welcoming. Cleanliness is an essential part of working with acupuncture, so the treatment bed and my clinical equipment area are always disinfected.

I also like to create a calm, nurturing atmosphere. Soft lighting, carefully curated playlists and essential oils all help to set the tone. I have a wonderful book that explores the relationship between essential oils and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and I often use it as inspiration when choosing a blend for the diffuser. Even my playlists change with the seasons, reflecting the rhythms and principles of Chinese medicine.

What many people don’t see is the work that happens before and after each appointment. I often review notes before a session, particularly for more complex cases, so I can reflect on progress and prepare any questions I would like to explore. The thinking doesn’t stop when a client leaves either. Afterwards, I may update notes, send additional information, review research, or discuss a case (always anonymously) with trusted colleagues. Occasionally, I may also liaise with other healthcare practitioners if I feel a referral would benefit the client.

The business side

Alongside treating patients, I basically run a small business.

It is my passion and my dream job but also the thing that – less romantically – pays the bills. The business is a needy little thing and requires a lot of attention and other skills. Running a practice requires wearing many hats: accountant, social media manager, writer, website editor, marketer, PA and laundrette too.

Fortunately, I enjoy most of these roles (with the possible exception of the laundry which I have enough of at home). The challenge is often finding enough hours in the day to do everything while still practising what I preach and taking care of my own wellbeing. Looking after myself is an important part of being able to show up fully for my clients. More on that below.

No two days are quite the same

One morning might involve fertility consultations, followed by writing case notes and attending a practitioner meeting. Another day could include creating content for my website, reading new research papers, responding to emails, and planning future training.

The variety is one of the things I love most about the profession. No two days or patients are ever quite the same.

Learning never stops

I think most people who work in this field share a genuine love of learning.

As members of the British Acupuncture Council, we are required to complete 30 hours of continuing professional development each year. In reality, I probably exceed that many times over through reading, research, training courses, webinars and practitioner discussions. In fact, I often have to stop myself signing up for yet another course.

There is always something new to learn, whether that’s a different treatment approach, emerging research, or a deeper understanding of a condition. My ever-growing pile of books waiting to be read is proof of that – I will do a blog on my favourite ones (this is me committing to it).

Conversations with colleagues

One of the greatest gifts of this profession is the community that comes with it.

I am fortunate to work alongside wonderful therapists within my clinic building and to be surrounded by highly experienced practitioners in the local area. We regularly collaborate, refer clients to one another and support each other’s professional development.

I am also part of a multidisciplinary team led by the wonderful Hannah Pearn. Within the group are nutritionists, herbalists, fertility specialists, an embryologist, a functional medicine practitioner and many experienced acupuncturists. We meet weekly to discuss case studies, review research and share ideas, as well as attending training events together. Most recently, we completed an anatomy course at King’s College London.

Looking after the practitioner

This is something that can easily be overlooked, sometimes by me as much as anyone else.

Supporting other people’s health requires paying attention to my own. Self-care is not an optional extra; it is an essential part of maintaining the energy, focus and presence needed to work well with clients.

Like many people, I sometimes feel there are not enough hours in the day. At this stage of life, balancing a small family, a business and caring responsibilities means I often need to weave wellbeing into everyday routines rather than finding large blocks of time.

For me, that includes yoga, breathing practices, journalling, spending time with family and friends, regular acupuncture treatments, and the occasional massage or facial. Small things can make a big difference.

What surprises people most

How much time is spent listening: Acupuncture sessions often start long before any needles are used. Understanding a person’s symptoms, lifestyle, stress levels, sleep, digestion and goals is a significant part of the process.

How much administration there is: Like most small business owners, I spend a surprising amount of time behind a computer, whether that’s in my treatment room or squeezing it in when I can.

How different every treatment is: Two people may come in with migraines and receive completely different treatment approaches based on their overall presentation. It’s a reason why acupuncture is inherently difficult to scientifically research – one of its founding principles is to treat everyone as individuals. It also makes the job interesting; I’ll rarely use the same points combination from one person to the next. It’s like a mind puzzle – how can I use as few needles as possible (it’s believed that each needle uses Qi and therefore the fewer the better in my opinion) for the most impact?

How much thought happens between appointments: Often the thinking continues long after the patient has left the treatment room – questions to ask, things to investigate further, points to try, treatments to try…

How emotionally rich the work can be: People often come to acupuncture during significant periods of change, which makes the work incredibly meaningful. One day I might be celebrating a long-awaited pregnancy with a client. Another day I might be supporting someone through loss, uncertainty or a difficult diagnosis. Being invited into these moments is a privilege I never take for granted however happy or heavy they may feel.

How much acupuncturists talk about sleep & poo: Many patients come in expecting to talk only about their main symptom. They’re often surprised by how interested I am in their sleep, digestion and energy levels. Every single question gives me a clue to what is going on.

How much we can learn from patients: After years in practice, one of the biggest surprises is how much patients continue to teach me about resilience, adaptation and the many different ways people experience health.

That we don’t have all the answers: One of the most important parts of practice is recognising when further investigation, referral or collaboration with another healthcare professional is needed. I have a close network of colleagues locally that I collaborate with and I am happy to refer to.

Why it matters

While the treatment itself may last an hour, the care surrounding that appointment extends far beyond the time spent in the room. Every consultation is supported by ongoing learning, reflection, deep care, organisation and professional development.

Looking back, what strikes me most is that acupuncture is only partly about needles. It’s about relationships, curiosity, and supporting people through some of the most important chapters of their lives. That’s what keeps the work endlessly interesting, and why I always feel grateful to do it.

If you’ve ever been curious about what happens behind the scenes in an acupuncture clinic, I hope this has offered a useful glimpse into the profession.