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Women's Health Acupuncture · Middlesbrough · Serving all of Teesside

You Deserve More Than Just “Push Through the Pain”

Acupuncture for period pain, PMS, heavy periods & endometriosis-related symptoms. A gentle, evidence-informed approach to support your menstrual health, naturally.

⭐ 700+ Five-Star Reviews 🏅 Multi-Award-Winning Clinic 🎓 MBAcC · DipObsGyn 📍 Middlesbrough, Teesside
Book Your Initial Consultation — £80 No obligation. At your pace. Your first step towards feeling heard. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trusted by 700+ women across Teesside · Appointments typically within 1–2 weeks
🏅 Multi-Award-Winning
⭐ 700+ Five-Star Reviews
🎓 MBAcC · BSc (Hons) · DipObsGyn
🌿 Evidence-Informed Practice
📍 Middlesbrough, Teesside

📍 Serving women across Teesside: Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Thornaby, Yarm, Ingleby Barwick, Marton, Nunthorpe, Redcar, Hartlepool & Darlington. Free parking available.

Sound Familiar?

Here's what women often tell Deanna before their first session, and what they notice after a course of treatment.

Before
😣 Dreading your period every single month
💊 Relying on painkillers that barely touch it
😔 Mood crashes and tearfulness before your period
🌊 Heavy flooding, clots, anxiety about leaving home
😴 Exhaustion that wipes out days at a time
🤷 Being told "it's just how it is"
After Acupuncture Support
🌸 Periods that feel manageable again
✨ Less reliance on pain relief
😊 Steadier mood in the days before your period
💧 Lighter, calmer, more predictable flow
⚡ Better energy throughout your cycle
💜 Finally feeling genuinely heard and supported

If Your Period Stops You in Your Tracks, You Know Exactly What This Feels Like

The alarm goes off. You already know today is going to be hard. The cramping started in the night. That deep, relentless ache that no hot water bottle quite reaches. You take painkillers, hope for the best, and try to carry on as if nothing is happening.

But something is happening. And it matters.

Painful periods aren't just a monthly inconvenience. For many women, they mean missed days at work or school, cancelled plans, exhaustion that lingers for days, and a quiet, growing frustration that this is somehow just part of being a woman. It doesn't have to be.

😣

Debilitating Cramps

Pain radiating into your lower back and thighs, stopping you in your tracks.

🌊

Heavy Bleeding

Flooding, clots, and the anxiety of not being able to leave the house.

🌪️

Mood Changes & PMS

Irritability, low mood, anxiety, or tearfulness before your period.

💫

Fatigue & Brain Fog

Bone-deep tiredness and difficulty concentrating for days.

🤢

Nausea & Headaches

Nausea, vomiting, and migraines that accompany your cycle.

🔥

Endometriosis Pain

Chronic pelvic pain that conventional medicine may not fully address.

If any of this feels familiar: you are not being dramatic. You are not exaggerating. And you are absolutely not alone.

You Are Not Alone. Not by a Long Way

Painful periods and PMS are among the most common health concerns affecting women, and yet among the most dismissed.

50–90%
of young women experience dysmenorrhoea
1 in 4
women find NSAIDs alone don't give enough relief
2–22%
of women have endometriosis
Millions
of days lost each year to period pain

Your quality of life matters. Your comfort matters. And there may be more support available to you than you've been told.

How Acupuncture May Support Your Menstrual Health

Acupuncture, rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), views painful, irregular, or heavy periods not as isolated symptoms, but as signals from a system that needs support to find its natural rhythm again.

Alongside the TCM framework, there is growing evidence that acupuncture works through measurable physiological mechanisms:

🌿

Prostaglandin Regulation

Acupuncture reduces PGF2α, a key driver of painful uterine contractions.

🩸

Improved Circulation

Increases local blood flow, easing stagnation behind heavy, clotty periods.

🧘

Nervous System Calm

Activates the parasympathetic nervous system, calming pain and PMS symptoms.

🔬

Inflammation Reduction

Modulates inflammatory markers, helping reduce chronic pelvic pain.

💛

Hormonal Balance

May support oestrogen and progesterone regulation and cycle regularity.

🧬

Endorphin Release

Triggers natural pain-relieving endorphins for drug-free pain relief.

What the Research Tells Us

The evidence base for acupuncture and menstrual pain is growing.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 60 randomised controlled trials (nearly 3,200 women) found acupuncture significantly more effective at reducing menstrual pain than no treatment or NSAIDs. Pain relief was observed from the very first treatment.

Woo et al., 2018. Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis of Acupuncture for Dysmenorrhoea

A meta-analysis found acupuncture reduced PGF2α concentrations in peripheral blood more effectively than NSAIDs, with fewer side effects.

Xu et al., 2017. Meta-Analysis of Acupuncture Point Stimulation for Dysmenorrhoea

In women with moderate-to-severe period pain, acupuncture significantly reduced pain intensity and associated symptoms. In one study, improvements were still measurable 12 months after treatment ended.

Wang et al., 2019; Armour et al., 2017. Randomised Controlled Trials

Research presented for informational purposes. Individual results will vary.

What Women Often Notice with Acupuncture Support

Results depend on your individual pattern and history, but women who come to Deanna for menstrual health support often notice improvements across a wide range of symptoms:

✅

Reduced Period Pain

Less intense cramps, sometimes from the first cycle.

✅

Lighter, More Manageable Bleeding

Reduction in heavy flow, clotting, and flooding.

✅

Improved Mood & Emotional Wellbeing

Less PMS-related irritability, anxiety, and low mood.

✅

More Regular Cycles

Gradual improvement in cycle predictability and rhythm.

✅

Better Energy Levels

Less cycle-related fatigue and brain fog.

✅

Reduced Bloating & Nausea

Easing of digestive symptoms that accompany menstruation.

✅

Fewer Menstrual Headaches

Less frequency or intensity of cycle-linked headaches.

✅

Endometriosis Pain Support

Complementary pain management for pelvic and non-cyclical pain.

Deanna Thomas – Specialist Women's Health Acupuncturist, Middlesbrough

Meet Deanna Thomas

Deanna is one of Teesside's most trusted acupuncturists, with a specialist focus on women's hormonal health, menstrual wellbeing, fertility, and the menopause transition. She brings over a decade of clinical experience alongside genuine warmth and a deep commitment to making women feel heard.

With over 700 five-star reviews and multiple clinic awards, Deanna is known not just for her expertise, but for the way she makes every woman feel: safe, understood, and genuinely cared for.

"Deanna listened to my issues, felt relaxed and hopeful that she could sort out a plan just for me."

— Sharon Peacock, verified patient

MBAcC Member BSc (Hons) Acupuncture DipObsGyn Fertility Support Trained NLP Practitioner
Read More About Deanna

Why Women Choose Deanna

There are a lot of practitioners out there. Here's what makes a genuine difference.

🎓

Specialist Women's Health Training

Deanna holds a Diploma in Obstetrics & Gynaecology (DipObsGyn), postgraduate specialist training specifically in women's reproductive health. Not every acupuncturist has this.

🏅

Multi-Award-Winning Practice

Independently recognised with multiple awards, a reflection of the consistently high standard of care her clients receive.

🌿

Fully Accredited & Regulated

As a registered MBAcC member, Deanna meets the UK's highest professional standards, trained to degree level, with ongoing CPD and full insurance.

👂

You Are Never Rushed

Every appointment starts with real listening. Your full story, your cycle history, your concerns. Deanna takes the time other practitioners often don't.

🔬

Evidence-Informed Approach

Deanna integrates current research alongside Traditional Chinese Medicine, so your treatment is grounded in both ancient wisdom and modern clinical evidence.

💜

700+ Five-Star Reviews

Over 700 women across Teesside have left five-star reviews, and not just for results, but for how they felt during every step of their care.

Your First Appointment: What to Expect

Your initial consultation is dedicated time to understand you: your whole health picture, your cycle history, your symptoms, and your goals. Nothing is rushed.

1

Listening & Understanding

Full history: cycle, symptoms, diet, sleep, stress, and emotional wellbeing.

2

TCM Diagnosis

Pulse and tongue diagnosis to identify your individual pattern of imbalance.

3

Your First Treatment

Your consultation includes your first acupuncture treatment. Most people find it deeply relaxing.

4

Your Treatment Plan

Deanna explains what she found and what a realistic pathway looks like for you.

There is no obligation to continue after your first appointment.

Book Your Initial Consultation — £80 Takes around 75–90 minutes · Based in Middlesbrough, Teesside ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 700+ five-star reviews · Appointments typically within 1–2 weeks

Why a Course of Treatment Is Usually Recommended

Because the menstrual cycle is a monthly rhythm, meaningful change generally requires working with that rhythm over time. Deanna typically recommends weekly follow-up sessions over 4 to 8 weeks to build momentum and begin shifting your body's patterns.

Follow-up sessions are £65 each and last approximately 60 minutes. You are never pushed into committing to more than you're comfortable with.

🌿 Already using medication or medical care? Acupuncture can be used safely alongside NSAIDs, hormonal contraception, and other treatments. Deanna will always work in a way that complements your existing care, never conflicts with it.

British Acupuncture Council private health insurance

Could Your Healthcare Policy Cover the Cost?

If you have private health insurance, you may be able to claim back the cost of your acupuncture treatments. Many healthcare policies, including those from Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, Aviva, Simply Health, and WPA, include cover for acupuncture when provided by an accredited practitioner.

As a fully qualified, MBAcC-registered acupuncturist, Deanna meets the professional standards most insurers require. We recommend checking your policy documents or calling your insurer directly before your appointment. Some policies require a GP referral first.

Simple, Transparent Pricing

No hidden fees. No upselling. Just clear, honest support.

START HERE

Initial Consultation

£80
Approx. 75–90 minutes
  • Full health & cycle history
  • TCM diagnosis (pulse & tongue)
  • First acupuncture treatment included
  • Personalised treatment plan
  • Time to ask all your questions
Book Now ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 700+ five-star reviews · Secure booking via Fresha

Follow-Up Treatment

£65
Approx. 60 minutes
  • Full acupuncture treatment
  • Review of progress & symptoms
  • Ongoing TCM assessment
  • Lifestyle & self-care guidance
  • Book at your own pace
Book Now

Ready to Book? Here's Exactly What Happens Next

Simple, secure, and takes less than two minutes.

Click "Book Now" and choose your preferred date & time
Complete a short intake form so Deanna can prepare for you
Receive your confirmation & appointment reminder
Arrive, relax, and feel genuinely cared for
Book Your Initial Consultation — £80 📍 283 Acklam Road, Middlesbrough · 📞 0800 593 2023 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trusted by 700+ women · Appointments typically within 1–2 weeks

What Women Say

★★★★★
"Deanna listened to my issues, felt relaxed and hopeful that she could sort out a plan just for me. Deanna is caring, passionate about her job. Definitely recommend to family and friends."
— Sharon Peacock, verified patient
★★★★★
"Deanna's acupuncture was amazing. She took the time to sit down and talk to me, take notes and explain everything. Can't thank her enough — defo recommend."
— Hollie, verified patient
★★★★★
"Deanna makes you feel so relaxed and is very welcoming. Would highly recommend her services."
— Ann Crawley, verified patient

You Don't Have to Keep Pushing Through

If you're ready to explore a gentler approach to your menstrual health, Deanna is here, in a space that's calm, safe, and entirely focused on you.

Book Your Initial Consultation — £80 Prefer to call? 0800 593 2023 · Email help@deannathomastherapies.com

Frequently Asked Questions

A large systematic review of over 60 randomised controlled trials found acupuncture significantly more effective at reducing menstrual pain than no treatment or NSAIDs. Some women experience relief from their very first treatment. It's not a guaranteed fix (nothing is), but for many women it offers meaningful, lasting improvement across a course of treatment. Deanna will give you an honest picture during your consultation.
This depends on how long you've been experiencing symptoms and how your body responds. As a general guide, Deanna typically recommends an initial course of 4 to 6 weekly sessions, with a review at that point. Some women notice improvements within 2 to 3 cycles; others benefit from ongoing monthly maintenance. Deanna will never push you into more sessions than she genuinely feels are warranted.
Most people are genuinely surprised by how comfortable acupuncture is. The needles are much thinner than a hypodermic needle and the sensation, if felt at all, is usually a brief dull ache, warmth, or tingling. Many clients find the experience deeply relaxing and drift off during treatment. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, Deanna will adjust immediately.
Yes, in most cases. Acupuncture is safe alongside NSAIDs, the combined oral contraceptive pill, hormone therapies, and other treatments. Deanna will always ask about your current medications at your first appointment and will work in a way that complements your existing care, never conflicts with it.
Acupuncture may offer meaningful support for the pain associated with endometriosis, including pelvic pain, dysmenorrhoea, and dyspareunia. The evidence is preliminary but positive, pointing to anti-inflammatory mechanisms, prostaglandin regulation, and endorphin release as key pathways. It's not a cure, but for many women it provides a genuinely helpful layer of pain management alongside their medical treatment.
Yes, this is something Deanna hears often. The COCP is a common first-line treatment but it isn't suitable for everyone. Acupuncture can be explored alongside the pill, or as a standalone approach if you'd prefer a non-hormonal path. This will be discussed openly in your initial consultation.
Possibly. It's worth checking with your provider. Many private health insurance policies (including Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, Aviva, Simply Health, and WPA) include cover for acupuncture provided by an accredited practitioner. As an MBAcC-registered practitioner, Deanna meets the professional standards most insurers require. Some policies may require a GP referral first.
When practised by a fully trained, accredited practitioner like Deanna, acupuncture has an excellent safety profile. Deanna is a registered MBAcC member and adheres to the highest standards of training, hygiene, and professional conduct. Only single-use, sterile needles are used.
Deanna's clinic is at The House, 283 Acklam Road, Middlesbrough, TS5 7BP, easily accessible from Stockton-on-Tees, Thornaby, Yarm, Ingleby Barwick, Marton, Redcar, Hartlepool, Darlington, Guisborough, and Stokesley. Free parking is available nearby.

Explore More Ways Deanna Can Support You

Women's health is rarely just one thing. If period pain is part of a bigger picture, these services may also be relevant to you.

🌸

Fertility Acupuncture

Specialist support for natural conception and IVF.

Find out more →
🌙

Menopause Acupuncture

Natural support for hot flushes, sleep, mood, and perimenopause.

Find out more →
💜

Chronic Pain Acupuncture

Support for ongoing pelvic pain, back pain, and pain conditions.

Find out more →
✨

General Acupuncture

Holistic wellbeing support for stress, sleep, and anxiety.

Find out more →

📖 Further Reading

Ready to Feel Supported?

Your period health matters. You deserve to feel comfortable in your body. Deanna is here, in a space that's calm, safe, and entirely focused on you.

Book Your Initial Consultation — £80 Secure online booking via Fresha · No card required to reserve your time
Healthcare Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Acupuncture is a complementary therapy and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your GP or specialist for any medical concerns. Individual results will vary.
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