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An acupuncture treatment being done at Better Flow

Acupuncture in Hackney

We treat people across Hackney, Haggerston and East London for a range of pain and tension-related problems, with appointments running until 8pm on weekdays and Saturday mornings.

Hackney clinic, E2 · 07517 049272 · from £70

  • No GP referral needed
  • Open weekdays until 8pm & Saturday mornings

What It Is and Who It’s For

Acupuncture and dry needling both use fine needles inserted into the body, often into muscle trigger points, to help ease pain and reduce muscular tension. Because our practitioners are physiotherapists first, needling is generally used alongside manual therapy and exercise rather than in isolation. It suits people with persistent muscular pain, tension-type headaches, and sports injuries where trigger points are contributing to pain or restricted movement, as well as those who have tried other approaches and want to add needling into their treatment plan.

Treatment methods

How we treat you

01Dry NeedlingNeedles inserted into specific muscle trigger points to release tension and reduce localised pain.
02Traditional Acupuncture PrinciplesNeedling at defined points on the body, drawing on traditional Chinese medicine approaches to support pain relief.
03Combined with Manual TherapyNeedling integrated into a broader physiotherapy session, alongside hands-on treatment and exercise where appropriate.

What to expect at your first visit

Your first appointment includes an assessment of your problem area and a discussion of whether needling is a suitable part of your treatment. Your physiotherapist will explain what to expect, including any sensations during and after treatment, before starting. Needles are generally left in for a short period, sometimes with gentle stimulation, and most people find the experience surprisingly comfortable rather than painful. You may notice some short-term muscle soreness afterwards, which your physiotherapist will explain how to manage.

Pricing and insurance

What it costs

30 minutes£70
45 minutes£85
Packages of 5 sessions, from£350

Full pricing is on our pricing page . See our pricing page for full details.

We work with major health insurers

Patient reviews

What our patients say

5.0★★★★★167 Google reviews
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Claire C.★★★★★ September 2026

“I cannot recommend Joana highly enough. From my first appointment, Joana was professional, knowledgeable and genuinely invested in my recovery. She took the time to thoroughly assess my injury, explained the cause and created a tailored plan which resulted in a full recovery.”

Posted on Google
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Emilie D.★★★★★ September 2026

“Joana is a wonderful physio! She guided me through my entire rehabilitation following ankle surgery. I started out in a wheelchair, and within just a handful of weeks, I was back to exercising thanks to her extensive hands-on treatment.”

Posted on Google
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Catalina D.★★★★★ August 2026

“Sajj is honestly second to none! I'm a runner and work in finance so suffer from various pains from hip bursitis to neck pain due to stress and everything in between… Sajj (unlike many physios) takes a holistic approach and really reads into the root cause.”

Posted on Google

Read all Google reviews

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Is acupuncture the same as dry needling?
They use similar equipment and both involve inserting fine needles, but dry needling specifically targets muscle trigger points from a physiotherapy perspective, while traditional acupuncture draws on broader Chinese medicine principles. Our physiotherapists use both depending on what suits your problem.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Most people find it far more comfortable than expected. You may feel a brief sensation as the needle is inserted, and some short-term muscle soreness afterwards is normal.
Do I need a referral for acupuncture?
No, you can book directly with us without a GP referral.
Is acupuncture used on its own or with other treatment?
At Better Flow it is usually part of a wider physiotherapy plan, combined with manual therapy and exercise, rather than delivered as a standalone therapy.
Who performs acupuncture at Better Flow?
Leanne Simmons and Jenny Du Preez both offer dry needling and acupuncture as HCPC-registered physiotherapists, alongside founder Joana Serras Pires.
Inside the Better Flow Physio and Pilates studio, Hackney
Find us

Better Flow Physio

Unit 3, 430 Hackney Road, London E2 6QL

07517 049272

Monday–Friday7:30am–8pm
Saturday9am–2pm
SundayClosed

Let's get you moving again

Book an appointment online, or get in touch and we will come back to you the same working day.

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