A traditional Chinese medicine practice, offered here as a complementary therapy alongside — never instead of — your clinical addiction and mental health treatment.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practice involving the insertion of very thin needles at specific points on the body, used to support a range of physical and psychological concerns as part of a wider treatment plan.
In classical Chinese medical theory, acupuncture points sit along meridians said to carry the body’s vital energy, or qi, and needling is used to restore balance where that flow is considered disrupted. Modern research has approached the practice differently, studying how needling may stimulate nerves, muscle, and connective tissue, and how it appears to influence pain-processing regions of the brain and nervous system. The precise mechanism remains an active area of research rather than a fully settled question.
Worth knowing upfront: Acupuncture is offered at Thamarai as a complementary therapy, coordinated with your psychiatric and medical care. It is never presented here as a replacement for evidence-based addiction or mental health treatment.
Acupuncture is understood through two distinct lenses — a traditional framework and a modern biomedical one — which coexist rather than fully agree.
Classical theory describes vital energy, or qi, flowing through pathways called meridians. Illness and discomfort are understood as disruptions or blockages in this flow, and needling specific points is intended to restore balance and free movement.
Contemporary research explores how needling may stimulate sensory nerves, muscle, and connective tissue, potentially triggering the release of natural pain-modulating chemicals and influencing how the brain processes pain and stress signals.
These three techniques are often used alongside acupuncture, though each is distinct.
The burning of dried mugwort (moxa) near or directly on acupuncture points, used to warm and stimulate them. A traditional technique, often applied where a "warming" effect is considered appropriate.
A small electrical current passed between pairs of inserted needles, providing continuous stimulation beyond what manual needling alone offers. Particularly studied in pain management.
Heated or suction cups placed on the skin to create localized suction, commonly used for muscle tension and pain. A distinct technique — no needles are involved — often used in the same treatment session as acupuncture.
Evidence for acupuncture varies considerably by condition — some applications are backed by a stronger, more consistent research base than others.
One of the most extensively researched applications of acupuncture, and the one with the most consistent supporting evidence.
One of the most extensively researched applications of acupuncture, and the one with the most consistent supporting evidence.
Some studies suggest a calming, relaxation-supporting effect, though evidence quality is mixed and inconsistent across trials.
Studied as a complementary approach alongside established depression treatment, with modest and variable findings.
Ear (auricular) acupuncture protocols are widely used in addiction treatment settings, but reviews have not found consistent evidence that acupuncture alone improves sustained abstinence — it's used to support relaxation and craving management alongside evidence-based treatment.
Some evidence points to modest improvements in sleep quality, generally as a complementary approach rather than a first-line treatment.
Emerging research explores acupuncture as an adjunct for trauma-related symptoms, introduced carefully alongside trauma-focused psychological care.
Wondering whether acupuncture could complement your own treatment plan?
A typical acupuncture session follows a fairly consistent structure, whether it’s your first visit or your tenth.
The practitioner reviews your history, current symptoms, and goals, coordinating with your wider clinical team.
Specific points are chosen based on your presenting concerns and assessment findings.
Thin, sterile, single-use needles are inserted at the selected points — most people feel minimal discomfort, if any.
Needles typically remain in place for around 20 to 40 minutes while you rest quietly.
Needles are removed, and your response is discussed to guide the next session.
Courses of roughly six to twelve sessions are commonly used in research and clinical guidance, though this varies by condition and individual response — some people continue periodic sessions for ongoing benefit.
Most people feel little to no pain. Acupuncture needles are hair-thin and solid, quite different from the hollow needles used for injections. A brief pinch or mild tingling sensation at the insertion point is common.
People taking blood thinners, with bleeding disorders, who are pregnant, or with a pacemaker should raise this with their treating physician before starting.
A confidential conversation can help clarify whether this is the right fit.
Treatment planning is overseen by our Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, working alongside our Consultant Psychologist, who draws on CBT, motivational enhancement, and insight-oriented therapy for long-term psychological stability. Complementary therapies such as acupuncture are integrated into this wider clinical picture, reviewed against your full treatment plan rather than offered as a stand-alone activity.
We assess for medical, substance-related, and psychiatric causes before finalizing a treatment plan, ensuring an accurate diagnosis rather than assumptions.
Psychiatric assessment and medication management are provided when clinically indicated, integrated closely with therapy.
Every enquiry and admission is handled with the utmost discretion, ensuring complete privacy for both the individual and their family.
Our residential setting is designed to provide the stability, routine, and support that long-term recovery depends on.
Families are guided and involved in the treatment process where appropriate, helping them understand the condition and support their loved one's recovery.
Ongoing psychiatric follow-up, treatment planning, and continued psychological support help sustain progress beyond residential treatment.
This page summarises general, publicly available clinical understanding of acupuncture for educational purposes. It does not replace an individual clinical assessment. Speak with our clinical team for guidance specific to your circumstances.