Your questions
Acupuncture is a tried and tested system of medicine. The earliest evidence of acupuncture is approximately 3,000 years old. Its longevity across time and space is testimony to its effectiveness and adaptability. Like other systems of medicine, its diagnostic tools are able to address any condition. It is the combination of skilled practitioner and age-tested reliable methodology which allows traditional Chinese Medicine to remain effective over millennia.
Who has acupuncture?
Many people decide to have acupuncture for help with specific symptoms or conditions. These may be of sudden onset or of longer duration without drastically affecting their lives but leaving them feeling below their optimum. Others chose acupuncture as a preventative measure to strengthen their constitution, or maintain well-being. Acupuncture is considered suitable for all ages, including babies and children. It can also be used successfully alongside conventional medical treatments.
What happens when I go for treatment?
Treatments always start with a diagnostic consultation. This can last up to two hours and includes a treatment. Confidentiality is respected.
Chinese medical diagnosis is based upon intake discussion, taking the pulse, and looking at the tongue. On the basis of the consultation, it is possible to give recommendation for treatment frequency and duration. Some people are seen once or twice weekly, others less often.
Is there anything I need to do to prepare for a treatment?
Everyone responds differently to treatment. Most of the time patients feel relaxed, energized, or possibly lightheaded. It's like the feeling you have after getting a massage. This can vary based on your age, illness, energy level for the day, or the strength of treatment. We recommend that to prepare for your first treatment you have a light snack an hour or so before. If you are taking medications or supplements, please have a list available.
What happens after a treatment?
Drink plenty of water after your treatment. Your body may begin to detox as it is brought back into balance and this will help cleanse toxins out. Be sure to get plenty of rest the night after your session. Also, don't over do it. Just because you feel great now doesn't mean you can go right to the gym and get going on that new workout routine. Especially if you are coming in for a pain condition, let your body recover and consult your practitioner before introducing anything new.
How many sessions will I need?
Sometimes conditions can be addressed in two or three treatments; others require a different approach over a longer span of time. Each person is different and the focus of treatment is to match the clinical requirements. Once symptoms are better, people often decide to continue treatment to address other issues or to maintain their wellbeing. This may be relatively infrequently, for example when the seasons change during the year.
Should I let my doctor know?
If you are taking prescribed medication, it is sensible to inform your primary care practitioner that you are having acupuncture. I will ask if you are taking any medicines or have been in the past, as this is an important factor in planning treatments. The effect of the medication is important to know about during diagnosis to ensure accurate treatments as well as treatment scheduling.
What if I am using other alternative remedies?
Acupuncture works well alongside most complementary therapies. Please inform all practitioners about the treatments you are having.
How can acupuncture help me?
Sometimes people come to acupuncture because they need support during profound life change, such as leaving home, divorce, bereavement, new love or unexpected success. Others may need more physically based help with resolving back pain or tennis elbow. Some conditions have been a recent event, or have been endured over a long period of time and have become too difficult to live with.
Acupuncture is widely recognised to be beneficial for a range of conditions to do with emotional life, gastro-intestinal health, respiratory health, musculo-skeletal conditions, pain and low energy.
Acupuncture can support people trying to overcome addictions such as those related to drug use, food, smoking or alcohol.
Acupuncture is effective in treating male and female infertility, miscarriage and problems with periods such as PMS.
People experiencing difficulties conceiving choose to have acupuncture as a safe treatment to support the different forms of Assisted Reproductive technologies. Many report the benefits in supporting the experiences people have while undergoing IVF, including emotional stress.
Is it safe?
Acupuncture is generally considered to be very safe. Research shows that serious side effects are very rare, less than one per 10,000 treatments. The needles used are sterile, used once only and then disposed of safely.
What can I expect to feel?
During treatments people report feeling calmness and a feeling of deep relaxation. When needles are inserted, the sensation is often one of warmth, tingling or a dull ache. Occasionally people feel things in other parts of their bodies. Needles are not necessarily inserted into the part of the body with the symptoms. For example, a headache may be treated using needles in the hands or feet.
 |
||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |