Traditional Acupuncture

What is Traditional Acupuncture?

Traditional Acupuncture has been practised in China and other Eastern countries for thousands of years. This system of medicine not only takes into account the patients symptoms, but also looks much deeper, and treats any possible underlying cause of disease; therefore enabling the body to heal itself and allow the person to benefit from a more permanent improvement of health, sense of wellbeing and a better quality of life.

It is based on the principle that our health is dependent on the balanced functioning of the body's motivating energy known as Qi (pronounced chee). This Qi flows throughout the body, but is concentrated in channels beneath the skin, known as meridians. Many things are thought to upset this balance, disturb the flow of Qi and cause ill health or disharmony. By inserting fine needles into specific points just beneath the body surface, an acupuncturist can stimulate the body's own healing response and help restore its natural balance, thus enabling the recovery of the equilibrium between the physical, emotional and spiritual aspect of the individual.

What can Acupuncture Help?

In the West acupuncture used to be best known for its ability to relieve pain and overcome addictions such as those related to smoking, alcohol, food or drugs. Nowadays people are becoming more aware that it can be an effective treatment for a wide range of conditions and that it’s benefits can also extend to the persons overall sense of well-being by bringing about increased levels of vitality, improved sleep, better appetite, greater enjoyment of life etc.

The World Health Organisation has endorsed acupuncture for the treatment of a wide range of conditions. Examples of these include arthritis, rheumatism, circulatory problems, sciatica, asthma, high blood pressure, ulcers, facial paralysis, infertility, menstrual problems, skin conditions, back pain, general aches and pains, migraines, anxiety, depression and many more.

With some conditions Western medical treatment should be the first choice, or may be used in conjunction with acupuncture. The acupuncture treatment may enable you to reduce or even stop taking some forms of medication, but your doctor should be consulted regarding any change of prescription. Your acupuncturist will give advice.

Treatment

What Happens when I come for Treatment?

The initial consultation which takes approximately 1½ hours is very important, and takes into account your current symptoms, past medical and family history, lifestyle and diet, behaviour of all the systems in the body such as digestion and circulation, sleep patterns and emotional feelings. This information is essential in determining the cause of the problem and the individual treatment that is required for each person. You will also receive your first treatment at this initial visit; which is based on the insertion of very fine, sterile, disposable needles into acupuncture points. Sometimes the application of warmth by burning a herb called moxa over the acupuncture point may be used on its own or in combination with acupuncture needles. There are also several diagnostic tests to ascertain the body's energetic balance. Pulse taking is one of the ways in which the practitioner gains detailed information about the balance of the Qi within the person.

Who comes for Treatment?

Anyone can have acupuncture because it is such a safe treatment. A wide variety of people come for treatment, ranging from children to the elderly. Some people come for acupuncture as their first choice of treatment, whereas others have found it extremely beneficial where other forms of treatment have been unsuccessful. Many people also have acupuncture as a preventative treatment, or because they feel unwell in themselves but are not 'ill' in the Western sense.

What does it Feel Like?

Most people's experience of needles is of those used in injections and blood tests. Acupuncture needles bear little resemblance to these because they are extremely fine. When the needle is inserted, the sensation is very brief and often described as a tingling or dull ache, which most people find quite acceptable. Usually the patient experiences a feeling of peace and relaxation during the treatment.

How will I Respond?

Every individual is unique, as is their response to treatment. Sometimes the effects of the treatment are dramatic, while with others it will be more subtle. Some people will need extensive treatment whereas others will need only a few. The length of time a condition has been present can be a factor in a person's recovery rate.

How Often will I Need Treatment?

Most patients will need treatment once a week until some improvement has been maintained; usually around 4-6 weeks. Then the treatments will be gradually spaced further apart until a full recovery is made or a periodical check-up is required to maintain the improvement.

Guidelines for Patients

Day of treatment

Where possible I would suggest that you only eat a light meal before or after treatment and that no alcohol is consumed on the day of treatment in order to maximise the effectiveness of your treatment. Try to arrive for treatment relaxed and allow yourself to take things as easy as possible afterwards for at least two hours.

Private Health Schemes

It may help you to know that many private health schemes include acupuncture treatment in their cover.

How Safe is it?

All the needles are sterile and disposable and the treatments are administered by a fully qualified acupuncturist who is a Member of the British Acupuncture Council

Blood Donation

Patients who have been treated by a BAcC member are eligible to donate blood through the National Blood Service.

Appointments

Please allow approximately 1½ hours for the initial diagnosis and 45 minutes for each subsequent treatment.