ACUPUNCTURE
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the longest established forms of healthcare in the world. Acupuncturists are trained to use subtle diagnostic techniques that have been developed and refined for thousands of years. The focus is on you as an individual, not your illness, and all symptoms are seen in relation to each other. Treatment involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points on the body to affect the flow of your body’s qi, or vital energy.
Conditions Treated
Depression anxiety
Chronic pain
Fertility
Cancer care
Insomnia
Fibromyalgia
Back pain
Sports injuries
Headaches/migraines
Chronic rhinitis (hayfever)
Frozen shoulder
Irritable bowel syndrome
What to expect
When coming to your first acupuncture session you may not know what to expect many people may be quite anxious of the unknown, this is normal and can be explained to you by your acupuncturist upon the first consultation.
A full medical history is taken upon the first treatment and then the acupuncturist will decide on the points that will be used during treatment.
The acupuncturist will explain where abouts the points will be placed(breathing techniques can be used while the acupuncturist is inserting the needles to make it easier for the patient if necessary)
Single use sterile needles are used in acupuncture along with other techniques such as cupping massage and acupressure.
Needles are inserted into particular points on the body and patients describe the feeling as a tingling sensations a bit like pins and needles the needles are left in for about 20 minutes depending on the treatment and can be turned to stimulate the needle.
First Consultation
Your acupuncturist will use a number of different diagnostic methods from traditional Chinese medicine, which include pulse taking, looking at your tongue and taking a full medical history.
Based on the information given and recorded by the patient the acupuncturist then makes a diagnosis and will come up with an individual treatment plan.
Acupuncture points are selected by the acupuncturist to use during treatment these may change from treatment to treatment depending on your symptoms from week to week.
Commonly Asked Questions
Frequency of treatments?
Usually we say a course of 6-10 weekly treatments this does however depend on what your symptoms and conditions are we discuss this after we have done the initial consultation.
What does it feel like?
Acupuncture needles are a lot finer than hypodermic needles. Different patients get different sensations but is usually described as tingling or a dull ache.
Is acupuncture safe?
Single use sterile and disposable needles are used. It is a safe method of treatment for all ages. Some patients may experience some side effects these can be dizziness, tiredness or very mild bruising, however side effects don’t last very long.
Should I notify my doctor?
If you are receiving treatment from your doctor then it is advisable to mention that you plan to have acupuncture. I will need to know about any medication you are taking as this may affect your response to the acupuncture treatment.
Interested in receiving advice prior to consultation?
I often find many of my patients benefit from a pre-consultation chat via phone or email. Allowing them to learn a little more about acupuncture treatment, help identify whether acupuncture would be the most appropriate course of treatment for them, how acupuncture could help and what to expect. If this may be of interest please use the contact details below.
Looking to book a consultation or follow up appointment?
Please contact Stacey on 07889 904 258 or email [email protected] to book your appointment now.