What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a system of medicine that has developed in China and the Far East over the past two thousand years. It began with the discovery that stimulation of certain areas of the skin affected the functioning of specific organs. It evolved into a system of healing, as the connection between the skin and the organs was better understood. In the West, Acupuncture is now used to treat a wide range of conditions and its effectiveness in treating certain conditions is now widely recognised.
There are over four hundred acupuncture points on different parts of the body, each with specific functions and effects. A detailed case history allows me to select the most appropriate points in your case.
I am trained in the two main acupuncture disciplines of Traditional Chinese Medicine and 5-Element Acupuncture. This enables me to treat you constitutionally, in addition to treating your individual symptoms.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Treatment is rarely described as painful. The needles we use are much finer than those used for injections and only a slight prick might be felt as the needle goes through the skin. A sensation normally described as a slightly dull ache is felt for a short time.
I use superior quality, single-use, sterile needles, and practice to the rigorous hygiene standards set by the British Acupuncture Council.
The link below will take you to the British Acupuncture Council website research page and a long list of factsheets and research on various conditions.
http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/public-research.html
Below is a link to the NHS website with information on acupuncture:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acupuncture/pages/evidence.aspx
Below is a link to the World Health Organisation presenting a large amount of information and research that has been undertaken in the field of acupuncture.
http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js4926e/5.html
Other therapies I use
For most conditions I normally suggest trying treatment for three to four sessions at approximately weekly intervals and then reviewing progress. I always try to stretch out the intervals between treatments where this is beneficial to the patient.
For certain physical conditions I may also incorporate the following therapies as appropriate:
Tuina (Chinese massage)
I am likely to use some short, light massage before or after I use acupuncture in many physical conditions.
Electro-acupuncture
This is a painless current that is passed through the needles and is often very helpful in pain relief. I rarely use this on the first treatment. Some of you will have come across TENS machines, and this treatment is similar, except more effective through the needles I insert, rather than TENS pads.
Heat treatment
I use an infrared heat lamp, plus topical herbs to help absorb the heat. Please note that heat treatment is only available at my home clinic in Busbridge, Godalming, as the equipment is not portable. Most patients thoroughly enjoy the sensation of the heat on the affected area and it can help relieve tension and improve blood circulation.
Cupping
This is a painless type of massage using cups that ‘pull’, rather than ‘push’, as in standard massage. They are helpful in pain relief, and help to increase movement and circulation in the effected area. I often use cups at the end of a session but have sometimes used them where a patient is nervous of needles. They can be very effective in producing positive results on their own.
Exercises
Where appropriate, I will suggest a small number of stretching exercises that may help you manage the condition at home. Many conditions can be effectively supported by a routine of daily short stretches.
You are advised to seek medical diagnosis and advice from your GP or hospital consultant before coming for treatment and to maintain conventional treatment in conjunction with your GP alongside the therapies that I offer.