Acupuncture/Traditional acupuncture
What is acupuncture?
According to traditional Chinese philosophy, our health is dependent on the body’s motivating energy - known as Qi - moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of channels beneath the skin. Qi consists of equal and opposite qualities - Yin and Yang - and when these become unbalanced, illness may result. By inserting fine needles into the channels of energy, an acupuncturist can stimulate the body’s own healing response and help restore its natural balance. The flow of Qi can be disturbed by a number of factors. These include emotional states such as anxiety, stress, anger, fear or grief, poor nutrition, weather conditions,hereditary factors, infections, poisons and trauma.
What are the benefits of acupuncture treatment?
What can I expect on my first visit?
Your first consultation will be longer than subsequent sessions. Your general state of health needs to be assessed in order to diagnose the underlying pattern of disharmony and to identify the most effective treatment principle. You will be asked about your current symptoms, your medical history, your diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and emotional state.Your pulses on both wrists will be taken to check how the natural energy or ‘Qi’ is flowing in your body.The structure, colour and coating of your tongue will also be noted as this gives a guide
to your physical health.
Once sufficient diagnostic information has been collected, the most relevant treatment can be planned for you. An acupuncture point prescription can then be formulated and a treatment carried out to address your specific pattern of disharmony. The needle treatment may be supplemented with moxa, a smouldering herb which is used to warm acupuncture points to encourage the body’s energy to flow smoothly. Other methods of stimulating acupuncture points include pressure, massage, cupping and electro-acupuncture. Acupressure is particularly useful for the treatment of small children and for people with a fear of needles.
What does it feel like?
The needles used in the treatment are very fine and most people do not feel the needle being inserted.The sensation is often described as tingling, warm, heavy or a dull ache with the needles being inserted either for a second or two, or left in place for up to 20 minutes. During treatment patients commonly feel a heaviness
in the limbs with a pleasant feeling of relaxation.
How often will I need to come for treatment?
The number of treatments depends very much on the individual. In most cases some changes are felt after five treatments.The normal recommendations are once or twice weekly visits at first, although some conditions may need less frequent attention. The effects of acupuncture treatment can sometimes be quite dramatic with only one or two sessions being necessary. With other patients the effects are on a more subtle level and they may need
treatment over several months.
Do I need to inform my doctor?
If you are receiving treatment from your doctor it would make sense to keep your doctor informed of your plans to have acupuncture treatment.The acupuncture may enable you to reduce or stop taking some forms of medication but your doctor should always be consulted regarding any changes you may be considering. Details of all medication being taken should be given at the first consultation as this may affect your response to the acupuncture treatment.
Is acupuncture safe?
The British Acupuncture Council binds the practitioner to stringent standards of hygiene. Only disposable single use sterile needles are used in the clinic for patient safety. All procedures have been approved by the Department of Health to provide protection against the transmission of infectious diseases.
Acupuncture can be used to treat the following problems:
Breathing - Asthma, Chronic Breathlessness, Bronchitis, Cough, Hayfever.
Circulatory - Angina, Chronic Heart Congestion, High or Low Blood Pressure, Palpitations, Poor Circulation, Stroke,Thrombosis,Varicose Veins.
Digestive / Bowel - Inflamed Gallstones, Gastritis, Indigestion, Nausea, Ulcers,Vomiting, Nausea, Colitis,
Constipation, Diarrhoea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Ear / Eye / Nose / Mouth - Blurred Vision, Catarrh, Conjunctivitis, Dry Eyes, Nose Bleeds, Otitis Media,
Sinusitis, Sore Throats,Tinnitus,Tonsillitis,Toothache.
Emotional / Psychological - Anxiety, Depression, Eating Disorders, Insomnia, Panic Attacks.
Gynaecological - Heavy Periods, Scanty Periods, Period Pain, Irregular Periods, PMT, Menopausal
Symptoms - Hot Flushes, Post Natal Depression.
Pain / Joint - Headaches, Back Pain, Joint Injury, Osteo and Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sciatica.
Neurological - Bells Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Neuralgia, Parkinson’s Disease.
Acute Conditions - Common Colds, Influenza, Food Poisoning, Stomach Upsets, Mumps.
Skin - Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis, Urticaria.
Urinary - Bedwetting, Incontinence, Cystitis, Urine Retention, Kidney Stones, Prostrate Problems.
Reproductive - Infertility, Impotence. |
