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Finding Balance at COMO Metropolitan London

INTEGRATIVE WELLNESS WITH PHILIP ROSE-NEIL

Conversation 8 minute read

London is one of the world’s fastest moving capitals — it can feel like a never-ending rush of cars, meetings, gallery openings. But when you walk through the doors at COMO Metropolitan London, all that noise fades away.

It’s a true oasis, with one of London’s finest wellness centres at its heart. Here, you can relax under the expert care of a Guinot facialist, drift off with a signature COMO Shambhala Massage and now, each Monday, you can experience acupuncture with one of the world’s leading practitioners, Philip Rose-Neil. In this COMO Conversation, we speak with Rose-Neil about the benefits of acupuncture, and how it can be used to balance mind, body and spirit.

Philip Rose-Neil is a British acupuncturist and former Chairman of the British Acupuncture Council. After studying for a Bachelor of Science from the University of Leicester, Rose-Neil trained in Traditional Acupuncture at the College of Traditional Acupuncture, Leamington Spa and Oxford Brookes. In 2023, he was made a Fellow of the British Acupuncture Council.

What inspired you to become an acupuncturist?

I always knew I was going to be an acupuncturist; I followed the family business. My father, Sidney Rose-Neil, was an extraordinary man. He pioneered the introduction of acupuncture to the West and founded the British Acupuncture Association as well as the hugely popular non-profit Tyringham Naturopathic Clinic in Buckinghamshire in the 1960s. Growing up I saw firsthand the way integrative medicine — including naturopathy, osteopathy and acupuncture — can transform an individual’s life.

Are there different modalities of acupuncture?

Yes, there are a number of different modalities such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Five Element, and Western medical. I have integrated and utilised all of these styles in my practice.

Can you describe the concept of Qi, in simple terms?

If you imagine the human body as a battery, Qi is the electricity that powers it. That electricity flows through pathways in the body called meridians. When it flows freely, you feel good. When it’s blocked you might feel sick or tired. Diet, exercise, emotions and environment can all affect the flow. Acupuncture manipulates Qi throughout the body to keep your whole system in balance.

Mind, body and spirit: which part does acupuncture address?

I don’t see mind, body and spirit as three separate entities. We are one whole that combines the three. Our experience of the world is shaped by the dynamics we have within ourselves. If we feel better physically, our minds are happier and our spirit is too. If we’re spiritually depleted that means we’re physically off-balance as well. Acupuncture works on a physiological level to benefit every element of our total self.

What’s a common misconception about acupuncture?

That it hurts. You should barely feel the needles — they’re ultra-fine, single-use surgical stainless steel. These aren’t the same kind of needles used for vaccinations or root canal anaesthetics. Acupuncture can be very relaxing, with the feeling lingering afterwards.

Who should be having acupuncture?

Everyone! While I do have a particular interest in complex case management — chronic illness, neurological conditions and so on — I’m primarily a generalist. All of us can benefit from a holistic, joined-up approach to health and wellbeing, especially given how overstimulated we all are in this modern world.

To book an acupuncture consultation with Philip Rose-Neil at COMO Metropolitan London, please contact COMO Shambhala.

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