Acupuncture
Acupuncturists see each person as an individual with the focus of treatment on the person rather than each presenting illness, therefore a detailed history is taken at the first appointment. All symptoms are considered in relation to each other and this allows me to produce a tailor made treatment especially for you.
You are unique, there is nobody else on this planet quite like you. How wonderful is that! Acupuncture treatment has the ability to embrace this uniqueness; two people with the same Western diagnosis may well receive very different acupuncture treatments. Chinese medicine, developed and refined over thousands of years refreshingly recognises that one size simply does not fit all and this is why such fantastic results can be achieved.
Very fine needles are precisely inserted into specific acupuncture points to connect with interconnected pathways or meridians that map the whole body, with the most commonly used points located on the upper and lower limbs.
The energy pathways traverse the whole body with points carefully selected to influence your symptoms, due to this you may find the points selected may not necessarily be close to where you are experiencing the pain or discomfort.
The aim of treatment is to trigger your own body's healing response, thus restoring emotional, physical and mental equilibrium, all of which are vital for full health. Frequently people discover that not only did the original symptom that caused them to seek treatment, improve, but many other symptoms disappear too, leaving you with a profound sense of balance and harmony within. For this reason sufferers of depression, anxiety and emotional turmoil find acupuncture treatment particularly beneficial.
A growing body of evidence-based clinical research, including MRI scanning have discovered how the body responds to acupuncture and the benefits this can bring. The governmental agency the PSA (Professional Standards Authority) recognises acupuncture treatments provided by degree qualified acupuncturists such as myself for its health giving benefits. NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) recommends acupuncture as being effective in many conditions including:
- Specific aches and pains
- Osteoarthritis of the knee
- Headaches
- Back pain
- Overactive bladder.
Other people choose acupuncture simply because they feel 'out of balance' but are unable to say exactly what is wrong, or have no specific Western diagnosis, but find acupuncture improves this. Many people simply have regular treatments as they find it so beneficial and relaxing in today's busy, demanding world.
Does it hurt?
Thankfully the simple answer to this is no!
Acupuncture needles are incredibly thin, often no thicker than a stand of hair and this allows them to be painlessly inserted into most people. It is not uncommon to feel a tingle or slight dull ache upon insertion as the needle connects with your energy but this soon dissipates leaving people feeling deeply relaxed with the needles in situ and which frequently continues after removal.
What to expect from treatment:
During the first consultation, I will take a detailed history from you. This involves questioning current symptoms and medical history as well as questioning other areas such as appetite, digestion, sleep and emotional well being.
I will also take your pulse on both wrists, view your tongue and examine any areas of pain or muscular tension. This may require you to undress, however a gown will be provided and your modesty protected in a professional manner. You are also always very welcome to attend with a chaperone if you wish.
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A first appointment varies in time between 1 and 1.5 hours. It will also include a full treatment and I will draw up a unique treatment plan for you which we will use over the course of your treatment with me. As a general rule of thumb I ask patients to commit to a series of 6 regular treatments to gain the best effect, following which we will review how you are feeling and decide together whether to continue with weekly sessions or begin to stretch out the time spacing between appointments. I recommend all patients return every 4-6 weeks following resolution of their complaint to enable us to top you up and prevent the illness from reoccurring.
