Traditional Acupuncture
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a healing modality that is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This is a holistic approach to healing developed over thousands of years.
TCM works on the principle that there is a vital energy known as qi ("chee") flowing throughout the body. When there is ill health the qi becomes imbalanced and it is the job of your acupuncturist to restore harmony to heal the body and mind.
An acupuncturist uses a number of methods such as needles, heat, cups and acupressure to restore the flow of qi. Most people experience relaxation and a sense of wellbeing during their sessions.
As an acupuncturist I have successfully treated these and many other conditions.
Conditions treated...
Anxiety
Arthritis
Back Pain
Depression
Digestive Disorders
Dizziness
Frozen shoulder
Headache
Infertility
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Insomnia
IVF Support
Menopausal Symptoms
Menstrual Irregularities
Migraines
Morning Sickness
Panic Attacks
Post Operative Recovery
Post Viral Recovery
Postnatal recovery
Preparation for Birth
Pregnancy support
Sciatica
Sinusitis
Sports Injuries
Trauma Recovery
Vertigo
Whiplash
Frequently asked questions...
Q: What does it feel like?
A: Acupuncture needles are fine stainless steel needles. They are tapped in through a tube and if there is any sensation it is often described as a tingling or a dull ache. During treatment, patients commonly experience a heaviness in the limbs and a pleasant feeling of relaxation.
The benefits of acupuncture frequently include more than just relief from a particular condition. Many people experience relaxation, improved mood and enhanced sense of wellbeing.
For some conditions acupuncture is more effective when used in conjunction with other TCM techniques such as heat and acupressure.
Q: What happens in a session?
A: In addition to asking questions about your well-being I will take your pulse and look at the shape, colour, and coating of your tongue. I will also note other physical attributes such as skin colour and posture. I will discuss your lifestyle and diet and may make suggestions of changes that would support your treatment. You will lie down on a padded treatment couch and I will treat you according to my diagnosis. At the end of the session the needles are painlessly removed.
Q: How will I feel after acupuncture?
A: People usually feel relaxed and calm. You may feel improvement straight away but everyone is different and changes can emerge in the following days. Acupuncture is accumulative and the improvements will generally increase and last longer with more sessions.
Q: What about the needles used?
A: I use pre-sterilised needles which are disposed of immediately after use. This eliminates any risk of infections.
Q: Is it safe?
A: There have been several surveys which have shown that acupuncture is amongst the safest therapies in use in the UK today. Out of 68,000 recorded treatments in two surveys carried out in 2001, there were only 14 minor symptoms such as bruising and the effects were transient.