What is acupuncture?
How does Acupuncture work?
What can Acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture is effective in treating most ailments presented at a GP's surgery. It is especially valuable in chronic diseases that orthodox medicine can only alleviate with drugs. For example, asthma, hay fever, sinusitis; hypertension; depression; painful conditions anywhere in the body such as headache, migraine, arthritis, back pain; stiffness of joints or muscles. Many acute complaints can be treated including strains and sprains, shingles, cystitis, menstrual disorders, diarrhoea and vomiting, cough, colds and sore throats.
Acupuncture also recognises and treats many disharmonies that have no medical diagnosis, a non specific 'not quite right' feeling characterized by any of the following: tiredness, lethargy, vague aches and pains, digestive problems, in sleeping difficulty, anxiety, tension, palpitations or dizziness. People with addictions to smoking, drugs or alcohol may be helped by acupuncture to reduce their dependencies. In addition to the above many other disorders have been treated with success and it is always worth enquiring about any particular problem you might have.
Is acupuncture painful?
Acupuncture is used to regulate your flow of Qi in order to treat your complaints. Most people find acupuncture a pleasant and deeply relaxing experience. When I carefully insert the needles, you may feel a slight tingling sensation. The initial sensation is often described as 'tingling', 'slightly heavy', 'dull', or 'numb'. This indicates that the treatment is beginning to have some effect. Sometimes you may feel numbness at the point of entry or an energy transfer along the meridian to another part of the body.
However, for people who are not comfortable with the idea of having needles inserted into the body, there are various alternative techniques available, based on the principles of acupuncture, such as Electro-Acupuncture and Acupressure Massage.
After acupuncture, you will feel relaxed or even slightly sleepy, so please take care not to tackle anything strenuous for a few hours following your treatment. The benefits of acupuncture frequently include more than just relief from a particular condition: many people find that it can also lead to increased energy levels, better appetite and sleep, as well as an enhanced sense of overall well being.
Does acupuncture conflict with conventional Western medicine?
Acupuncture can be used alongside conventional medicine in the treatment of both acute and chronic disease. As with any treatment, it may be important to mention certain details about your current state of health, as this will assist me in my full diagnosis of your condition.