Acupuncture

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture works. It is a tried and tested system of complementary medicine. The Chinese and eastern cultures have been using acupuncture to restore, promote and maintain good health for thousands of years.

What happens when I go for a treatment?

You will be asked about your current symptoms, what treatment you have received, your medical history, your diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and emotional state. The acupuncturist is also likely to feel your pulses on both wrists and may ask to look at your tongue. The acupuncture points used are not always close on the body to where you experience the problem. For example, although you might suffer from headaches, needles may be inserted in your foot or hand.

What does it feel like?

Acupuncture needles are much finer than the needles used for injections and blood tests. So their use is typically much more comfortable. During treatment, you might feel a ‘Needle Sensation’ which people variously describe as ‘a dull ache’ or a ‘heavy feeling’. Overall treatment is usually considered to be very relaxing.

How many sessions will I need?

Frequency and length of treatment depend on your individual condition. Some change is usually felt within five treatments, although occasionally only one or two treatments are required. Some patients may need treatment over several months or long term. Your acupuncturist will normally ask to see you once a week at first.

Is it safe?

Acupuncture has a very sound track record. The needles used are single-use, sterile and disposable. Responses to treatment can sometimes include tiredness or mild dizziness, and on occasion minor bruising may occur. However, all such reactions are short-lived.

Injuries disrupt the flow of energy in and around the affected area, causing stagnation and pain. This inhibits the proper circulation of blood and lymph causing longer recovery times, prolonging swelling and bruising as well as increasing pain.

Acupuncture, Cupping and Tuina all work directly to free the flow of Qi through these areas of stagnation. This seeks to assist healing and speed recovery by helping to reduce pain, inflammation and swelling as well as increasing circulation of blood and lymph which promotes repair of damaged tissues and clears dead cells and waste from the injured area.

 Acupuncture for Sports Injury Training

The Treatment of Musculoskeletal Conditions     College of Integrated Chinese Medicine           

The course is designed to deepen the ability to examine, diagnose and treat all types of musculoskeletal pain. Focusing on acupuncture treatment and palpation skills, as well as soft tissue techniques to use alongside acupuncture. Including examination of joints to ascertain the cause of pain, Diagnosis – from both Western and Chinese perspective and Treatments – based on traditional Chinese Medicine.

Sports Medicine                                   

This course covered sports injury classifications, how to test for injury, Western Medicine injury treatment views and the treatment of sports injuries using Chinese Medicine. Including an assessment of muscle strains, rehabilitation of muscle weakness, when to refer patients, examination of injured joints, use of acupuncture, electro-acupuncture and cupping as well as Tuina techniques used in Sports Injuries.

Who is it for?

Many people come to acupuncture for help with specific symptoms or conditions, and some because they simply feel generally unwell. Others choose acupuncture to enhance their feelings of well-being. Acupuncture is considered suitable for all ages. It can also be used alongside conventional medicine.

Acupuncture is widely considered to be beneficial for a range of illnesses and symptoms, from clearly defined complaints such as headaches, neck ache, and back pain, through to benefiting more general feelings of ill health and promoting a sense of well being.
Acupuncture is often used in the treatment of a variety of conditions and in conjunction with western medicine. Increasingly women are choosing to have acupuncture to support them throughout pregnancy, labour and after giving birth.
You can get more information about which conditions acupuncture has been used for by visiting the BAcC website: www.acupuncture.org.uk                                                                                                       

Costs:

Initial appointment: £50

Follow-ups £45