Frequently Asked Questions

Before any course of acupuncture, your practitioner will conduct a full medical history.  In addition to this, they may use other Traditional Chinese diagnostic techniques such as taking your pulse and looking at your tongue.  This provides your acupuncturist with the information they need to create an effective treatment plan that is tailored just for you.   The consultation may involve an element of physical examination, including any tender or problem areas. This diagnosis is relevant whatever your health issues may be, as it informs your practitioner about the way your individual system works and how they can best help you.

It is important that you share with your practitioner if you:

• Are taking any anticoagulants, immunosuppressants or any other medication

• Have a damaged heart or any risk of infection

• Have ever had a fit, fainted or felt dizzy

• Have a pacemaker or any other electrical implant

Following the consultation your practitioner will share your treatment plan and begin treatment. Once the needles have been inserted they will remain in place for between 20-30 minutes before being removed and disposed of. Part of your treatment may also include moxibustion or cupping, which will be explained fully to you beforehand.

The number of treatments that you require depends on the severity of your condition. Chronic and longer-term conditions may require more treatments.  Many people will start off with one treatment a week for four to six treatments. As your body begins to respond to the treatment you will require less.  

Many people come for an acupuncture treatment as a preventative measure once every couple of months. You will discuss your progress with your practitioner at each treatment who will recommend when you should return.

The body is thought to run on energy (otherwise known as qi) and the flow of this energy requires specific pathways (or channels) for the body to run smoothly. These channels affect specific organs so blockages can result in illness or dis-ease. Fortunately, each channel has several acupuncture points, and ultra-fine needles are used in acupuncture to trigger the body’s healing response. This restores the body to its former equilibrium, and often creates an overall sense of wellbeing.

Acupuncture is an evidence-based medicine that can be used to treat a variety of ailments, and these include but are not limited to:

• Post-operative and chronic pain

• Depression

• Sciatica / lower back pain

• Irritable bowel syndrome

• Fatigue

• Insomnia

• Chronic tension type headaches / migraines

There is an overwhelming body of research that has been reviewed by John McDonald and Stephen Janz (the authors of the Acupuncture Evidence Project). These reviews have shown that for 117 conditions – acupuncture is considered to be effective.

As a member of the public, you can easily see if there has been research into your condition by searching on the internet and looking at research papers. Alternatively, you can go to www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org which is an organisation that was created to demonstrate the current state of knowledge about acupuncture using scientific language.

Acupuncture is used for a variety of conditions including reducing anxiety. One promising study from 2015, for example, found that acupuncture improved symptoms in people with anxiety that did not respond to other treatments, including psychotherapy and medication. Participants received ten 30-minute sessions of acupuncture over the course of twelve weeks. They experienced a significant reduction in their anxiety, even ten weeks after treatment

When it is practised by a qualified practitioner, acupuncture is very safe. Rarely, some people experience mild, short-term side effects such as:

• pain or bruising where the needles puncture the skin

• drowsiness

• feeling sick

• feeling dizzy or faint

• worsening of pre-existing symptoms

• fatigue

Your Acupuncture practitioner will use fine, sterile, single-use needles for your treatment. The number of needles is kept to a minimum. Most people notice a slight tingling or dull ache, but find the experience relaxing.

Moxibustion is an essential part of Chinese medicine which takes its name from moxa, a natural substance prepared from mugwort leaves (Artemisia vulgaris). Moxa can be held just above the skin, or placed on top of an acupuncture needle or directly on the skin, usually over specific acupuncture points or meridians. The herb is then lit and as it slowly smoulders, heat permeates the skin and affects the flow of ‘qi’ (energy) and blood in the area being treated. Most people find the gentle heating sensation of moxa treatment very pleasant.

Cupping therapy uses special cups which apply suction over the skin, the cups can be left in place or moved around to improve blood circulation, rid the body of toxins, help with pain, inflammation, infections and improve general wellbeing.

Dress to be comfortable and wear loose fitting clothing. I will need access to your arms and legs, so it will be helpful if you are able to roll your sleeves/leg trousers above your elbows/knees, pull your top up to uncover your abdomen, or lower the waistband of your trousers. 

If you want to wear skinny jeans or leggins or anything else that can't be rolled up, no problem! You will be asked to remove them and given privacy to do so. Large towels will be used to provide appropriate draping and coverage at all times.  I want you to feel relaxed, cosy and safe.

I may ask you to unfasten your bra hooks and lower your straps, but your underwear will stay on. However, please avoid wearing a sports bra because if I need to access parts of your back/shoulder I won't be able to without it being removed.