Faqs – Insight Integrative Health Clinic

Insight Integrative Health Clinic is a long-established private practice on Chapel Market in Angel, Islington. We have been offering integrative medicine in north London since 1984. We bring together evidence-informed conventional and complementary medicine to treat the whole person — looking at root causes alongside symptoms.
We are based at 24 Chapel Market, Angel, Islington, London N1 9EZ. We are approximately five minutes' walk from Angel station on the Northern line. The clinic sits on Chapel Market, a short walk from Upper Street.
We are open Monday to Saturday by appointment only. Appointments are scheduled to give every patient unhurried time with their practitioner — please call or email to find a slot that works for you.
You can reach us in any of the following ways: Phone: 0207 278 1212 | Email: info@insightclinic.care | Website: insightclinic.care | Instagram: @insightcareangel. For appointment enquiries we usually reply within two working hours during clinic hours.
Insight is run by two experienced practitioners. Dr Ravi Ponniah — Integrative Medicines Physician, with over 40 years of clinical experience. Dr Ravi leads the iridology and integrative medicine consultations. Dr Shyam Ravrani — Acupuncturist and Homeopath, member of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC). Dr Shyam leads the acupuncture, homeopathy and craniosacral therapy work at the clinic.
We offer four core therapies, all from the same Chapel Market clinic: Acupuncture (traditional Chinese acupuncture), Homeopathy (constitutional and acute prescribing), Craniosacral therapy, and Ophthalmic somatology / iridology. Patients may also book integrative medicine consultations with Dr Ravi, which often combine elements of these therapies with broader lifestyle, nutritional and supplemental guidance.
We sit firmly in the integrative space. Our work is designed to complement conventional medical care — never to replace it. Patients are always encouraged to continue under the care of their GP and any specialists involved in their treatment.
We are not registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) because the therapies we provide sit outside conventional medical practice. Our practitioners are covered by their own respective professional bodies — including the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) for acupuncture — and carry the appropriate professional indemnity cover required of licensed practitioners. We follow ASA and MHRA guidance on how we describe our work.
Insight has been practising at the same Chapel Market premises since 1984 — over 40 years. We have looked after multiple generations of the same families across that time.

The quickest way to book is to call us on 0207 278 1212. You can also email info@insightclinic.care or use the contact form on insightclinic.care. We aim to respond to all enquiries within two working hours during clinic hours.
No. You do not need a GP referral to book with us. Patients can book directly. That said, if your GP would like to refer you, we are happy to receive referrals and to write back to them with a summary of our findings (with your consent).
Our standard fees are as follows. Integrative Medicine Consultation (Dr Ravi): Initial £195 (45 min) · Follow-up £110 (30 min). Homeopathy (Dr Shyam): Initial £195 (45 min) · Follow-up £110 (30 min). Ophthalmic Somatology / Iridology (Dr Ravi): Initial £195 · Follow-up £110 (30 min). Acupuncture (Dr Shyam): £75 per session (1 hour). Craniosacral Therapy (Dr Shyam): £50 for 15 minutes · £150 for 30 minutes.
The initial appointment is longer — typically 45 minutes for new patients — because it includes a full clinical history, lifestyle review and examination, before any treatment is planned. Follow-ups are shorter and more focused, which is reflected in the lower fee.
Payment is taken at the end of each appointment. We accept card payment (credit and debit), contactless and bank transfer. If you have particular requirements around invoicing please let our reception team know in advance.
For acupuncture and craniosacral therapy, treatment is often most effective as a course rather than a one-off session. If a course is suitable for you, we will discuss it openly at your first appointment and explain how many sessions are likely to be needed. We do not lock patients into pre-paid packages.
Some of our work may be claimable through private medical insurance, but coverage varies considerably between insurers and policies. We recommend you check directly with your insurer before booking. We can provide receipts suitable for insurance claims.
We ask for at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Late cancellations and missed appointments may be charged at the full session fee, as we are unable to offer the slot to another patient at short notice.
Appointments can be booked up to several weeks in advance. For new patients we can usually offer a first appointment within 5–10 working days. Urgent appointments can often be accommodated sooner — please call us to discuss.

Your first appointment will begin with a detailed discussion. The practitioner will ask about your main concerns, your medical history, current medications and supplements, lifestyle factors (sleep, diet, stress, exercise), and how you're feeling more broadly. After this, depending on the service booked, treatment may begin in the same session — or your practitioner may recommend further investigation first.
Initial consultations are typically 45 minutes. This gives time for a full clinical history, examination where appropriate, treatment, and aftercare advice. Follow-up appointments are usually 30 minutes.
To make the most of your first appointment, please bring: a list of any current medications and supplements you are taking; any recent test results, scans, or letters from your GP or specialists; and notes on the symptoms or concerns you would like to discuss. Wear comfortable clothing that is easy to roll up or remove from the relevant treatment area — this is particularly relevant for acupuncture and craniosacral sessions.
Yes, you are welcome to bring a family member or friend with you, particularly if it helps you feel more at ease. For children's appointments, a parent or guardian must be present throughout.
Please have a light meal or snack within two hours of your appointment — arriving very hungry can make some patients feel light-headed during treatment. Avoid alcohol on the day of treatment, and try to be well-hydrated. We will give you specific guidance for follow-up appointments based on the therapy you're receiving.
After your initial consultation, your practitioner will discuss findings and recommendations with you in person. For more complex cases, particularly integrative medicine consultations, you may also receive a written summary following the appointment.

Acupuncture is a system of medicine with origins in traditional Chinese practice that has been used for thousands of years. It involves the insertion of very fine, sterile, single-use needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the body's own healing response. It is now widely used alongside conventional medicine across the world.
Most patients are surprised by how little they feel. The needles used are very fine — much thinner than the needles used for blood tests or injections. You may notice a brief sensation as the needle is inserted, sometimes described as a dull ache, a tingle, or a feeling of heaviness. This usually settles quickly. Many patients feel deeply relaxed during their session and some fall asleep.
Yes. We use only single-use, sterile, pre-packaged needles, which are disposed of immediately after each treatment. Dr Shyam is a member of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) and follows all BAcC safety standards. There is no risk of cross-infection from needles.
Acupuncture is used for a wide range of physical and emotional conditions. It is NICE-listed as an option for chronic primary pain and for the prevention of chronic migraine. Patients commonly come to us for: chronic pain (including back and neck pain, sciatica, and joint pain), headaches and migraine prevention, anxiety, stress and low mood, sleep difficulties and fatigue, digestive complaints including IBS, hormonal and menstrual concerns, fertility support and menopausal symptoms, sports injuries and post-operative recovery, and skin conditions and immune support.
Treatment is typically delivered in blocks of 3 sessions, often weekly to begin with, then spaced out as you respond. At the end of each block your practitioner will review your progress honestly with you. If you are not seeing benefit, we will say so and either change the approach or suggest you don't continue. We would rather have one happy patient than ten paying customers.
It varies by condition and individual. Many patients notice some change — in pain intensity, sleep quality, or general wellbeing — within the first 2–3 sessions. For longer-standing conditions, more sessions are typically needed before significant change is felt.
Each acupuncture session is one hour. This includes a brief check-in about how you have responded since the last treatment, the treatment itself (during which you rest with the needles in place), and time for any aftercare guidance.
Yes, acupuncture is generally very safe during pregnancy when delivered by an experienced practitioner — and it is one of the safest options for managing many pregnancy-related symptoms (such as nausea, back pain, and headaches) where conventional medications may be restricted. Always tell your practitioner if you are pregnant, or think you may be, before treatment begins.

Homeopathy is a system of medicine developed more than two hundred years ago and now practised worldwide. Remedies are prepared from natural sources — plants, minerals and animal substances — and given in highly diluted, non-toxic form. Treatment is individualised: rather than matching a remedy to a diagnosis, the homeopath matches it to the whole person.
At your first consultation the homeopath listens carefully — not only to your symptoms, but to your energy, sleep, sensitivities, emotional state and the patterns particular to you. The remedy chosen aims to support your body's own healing response. Some patients respond after a single remedy; others benefit from longer-term constitutional treatment.
Homeopathy is used by patients with a wide range of acute and chronic concerns, including: acute conditions (colds, coughs, hay fever, minor injuries), children's health (sleep, behaviour, recurrent infections, eczema), chronic and constitutional issues (fatigue, digestive complaints, skin conditions), women's health and hormonal patterns, and emotional wellbeing (stress, anxiety, low mood, grief). We always speak honestly about whether homeopathy is likely to help, and we will tell you if we think you would be better served by another therapy or by conventional medical care.
Yes. Homeopathic remedies are highly diluted and non-toxic, and do not interact with conventional medications. We always ask about your current medications at your first visit, and we encourage you to continue any prescribed treatment as advised by your GP or specialist.
Yes. Homeopathic remedies are widely used for children and babies because they are gentle, pleasant-tasting, and have no toxic side effects. We have particular experience treating children at the clinic.
Most remedies are taken as small lactose pillules or liquid drops, dissolved under the tongue. They are pleasant to take. Your homeopath will give you clear written instructions on how and when to take your remedy, and how to store it.

Craniosacral therapy is a very gentle, hands-on therapy that works with the natural rhythms of the body — particularly the subtle movement of cerebrospinal fluid around the brain and spinal cord. The practitioner uses light touch, often on the head, sacrum and feet, to help release tension patterns held in the body's tissues.
Sessions are deeply relaxing. You remain fully clothed and lie comfortably on a treatment couch. The practitioner's touch is very light — usually no more pressure than the weight of a small coin. Many patients describe feeling deeply rested, sometimes with a sense of warmth, gentle shifts, or release. Some patients fall asleep.
Patients commonly seek craniosacral therapy for: stress, anxiety and chronic tension; headaches and migraine; jaw tension and TMJ-related symptoms; recovery after birth, injury or surgery; sleep difficulties; babies with colic, unsettled feeding or sleep; and emotional overwhelm and nervous-system regulation.
Yes. Craniosacral therapy is appropriate for every stage of life, from newborn babies through to the elderly. It is particularly supportive for mothers recovering from a difficult birth, and for babies who are colicky, unsettled or struggling with sleep. A parent or guardian is always present throughout a child's session.
Yes. Craniosacral therapy can be safely received throughout pregnancy and is often particularly welcomed in later pregnancy for relieving tension and supporting rest.
Many patients benefit significantly within 3–6 sessions. For longer-standing concerns, a longer course may be helpful. Your practitioner will discuss this with you honestly after the first session, based on how your body has responded.
Standard craniosacral sessions are 15 minutes, extending to 30 minutes if required. Your practitioner will advise on the most appropriate session length for you, including for babies and very young children.

Ophthalmic somatology — more commonly known as iridology — is the study of the iris (the coloured part of the eye) as a reflection of the body's constitutional patterns. Practitioners use specialised lighting and magnification to examine specific zones of the iris that, in this framework, are associated with different body systems.
Iridology is best understood as a constitutional and pattern-recognition tool rather than a diagnostic test. It is used to identify constitutional tendencies, areas where the body's tissues may benefit from support, and patterns that can guide more personalised lifestyle, nutritional and supplemental recommendations. It is not a replacement for medical diagnostic testing — and we will say so plainly during your consultation.
Dr Ravi Ponniah leads the iridology work at Insight, with over 40 years of experience in integrative medicine. The consultation typically forms part of a broader integrative health review, drawing together your medical history, lifestyle, current concerns and the iris findings into a single picture.
No. The examination is completely painless and non-invasive. The practitioner uses a specialised light and a magnifying lens to look at your iris — nothing touches the eye. The whole process takes a few minutes.
We do not produce a written report. Instead, everything is explained to you in full during your consultation — what has been observed, what it may suggest, and any recommended next steps — so you leave with a clear understanding. For some patients we may also recommend blood testing as part of the broader workup.

When delivered by appropriately trained and experienced practitioners, all the therapies we offer have very strong safety profiles. We use single-use sterile needles, gentle touch techniques, and non-toxic remedies. Our practitioners are members of their relevant professional bodies and carry the appropriate professional indemnity cover.
Side effects are usually mild and short-lived. Acupuncture — occasional brief tiredness, minor bruising at needle sites, light-headedness in some patients. Craniosacral therapy — mild tiredness or emotional release after a session, usually settling within 24 hours. Homeopathy — occasionally a brief 'aggravation' (a temporary intensification of symptoms) before improvement. We will discuss these with you at your first appointment and we are always happy to be contacted between appointments if you have any concerns.
There are conditions that are beyond the scope of complementary medicine and require conventional medical care — for example, suspected cancer, acute infection, severe mental health crisis, or serious cardiovascular symptoms. In any such case we will tell you clearly and direct you back to your GP or to A&E as appropriate. We do not claim to treat, cure or manage conditions that require conventional medicine.
Yes. Acupuncture, craniosacral therapy and homeopathy can all be safely delivered during pregnancy by experienced practitioners. Always let your practitioner know that you are pregnant — or planning to be — at the start of your appointment, so that treatment can be adapted appropriately.
Yes. We have particular experience working with babies, children and adolescents — especially in homeopathy and craniosacral therapy. A parent or guardian must be present throughout any appointment with a child under 16.

Not strictly — but we encourage open communication. If you would like a summary letter for your GP after your appointment, we are very happy to provide one with your consent. Many patients find this helpful, particularly when several practitioners are involved in their care.
Yes. Always continue medications as prescribed by your GP or specialist. None of the therapies we offer require you to stop conventional treatment, and you should never stop or change a prescribed medication without speaking to the doctor who prescribed it. Tell your Insight practitioner about every medication and supplement you are taking — including over-the-counter products — so we can plan around them.
Yes. We frequently work alongside GPs, midwives, physiotherapists, osteopaths, psychotherapists and consultants. Where appropriate, we are happy to liaise with your wider care team — with your consent — and to receive or send referral letters as needed.
Yes. We welcome referrals from GPs, midwives, physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors and other healthcare professionals in north London and beyond. We can be reached on 0207 278 1212 or at info@insightclinic.care for any referral enquiries.
Yes — please call us on 0207 278 1212 or email info@insightclinic.care. We are happy to have a short conversation before you book, to talk through your concerns and to help you decide whether one of our therapies is likely to be useful for you. We would rather you booked with the right expectations than booked at all.