Blog · Kyla Phillips · 8 August 2026
Acupuncture
What is Five Element acupuncture?
Kyla Phillips on Five Element and Traditional Chinese Acupuncture — how a first 90-minute consultation works at Health at Hart, and what Qi actually means in clinic.
Two traditions, one treatment room
I trained in combined Five Element and Traditional Chinese Acupuncture at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine. In practice that means I look at your symptoms and also at the broader pattern — sleep, appetite, mood, temperature, menstrual cycle if relevant — because East Asian medicine treats the person, not an isolated part.
Qi is simply a way of talking about the body’s capacity to regulate itself. When people feel “off” without a tidy diagnosis, that language can still be clinically useful. It is not a replacement for your GP.
Needles, plainly
Needles are sterile, single-use and extremely fine. They stay in for around 20 minutes while you rest. Most people are surprised how little they feel. Your first visit is about 90 minutes because the consultation is thorough; follow-ups are 45–60 minutes.
What the research supports — and what it does not
There is evidence that acupuncture can help some people with certain types of pain, and NICE includes acupuncture as an option in some chronic primary pain pathways. I will not list a dozen diseases and imply a cure. If your problem needs blood tests or a consultant, we start there.
This article is general information for people considering care at Health at Hart in Hartley Wintney. It is not a diagnosis, a prescription, or a promise of outcome. If you have sudden, severe or unexplained symptoms — including chest pain, unexplained weight loss, night pain, bowel or bladder changes, or a new neurological problem — seek urgent medical advice (NHS 111 or 999). UK osteopaths are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council. Counsellors named here are BACP-registered where stated. Always check with your GP or insurer if you are unsure whether a treatment is appropriate for you.
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