Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese Acupuncture works on the cause of disease/health problem, rather than the symptom.

Sometimes we can feel unwell without being "ill" or we can feel irritable or moody and not know the reason behind it.

The natural balance in your body can be upset by:

Deficiency - energy supplies are depleted/interrupted

Excess – too much energy has accumulated somewhere

Stagnation – the energy isn’t moving correctly

After talking to you and asking a few relevant questions, I can make an informed decision about the appropriate course of treatment to suit your individual needs.

The ability of acupuncture to promote a healthy mind and body means that it is often used as an effective form of preventative medicine. It can strengthen the constitution thereby lead to increased energy levels, better sleep and an enhanced sense of overall well-being. It can be used alongside conventional medicine in the treatment of both acute and chronic disease.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we recognise that a balance of Qi, (our body's energy), is essential to the health and harmony of the body. When the Qi is blocked or stagnated, the body's meridians (lines of communication), are weakened and pain or disease will occur.

I will insert needles into specific point locations on your body, triggering the release of neurotransmitters in the brain that can, among other things, reduce pain and inflammation, regulate the functions of the organs and stimulate the natural healing in the body's tissues therefore restoring the body's homeostasis (natural balance).

Unlike injections or pricking yourself with a sewing needle, acupuncture needles are not much thicker than a hair, therefore insertion of the needles is very rarely felt.

How many treatments will I need?

This depends on many factors, for example; whether the illness is chronic or acute, how healthy you are and how severe the imbalances are. Generally, the longer you have had the problem, the more treatments will be needed.

Will it hurt?

The needles I use are very fine and therefore very rarely felt on insertion. When the needle reaches the required depth and the Qi(pronounced, chee) grasps the needle, a dull ache or tingling sensation can be felt. Sometimes described as a thud or pins and needles.

Will other therapies be used?

This will depend on the treatment plan. Occasionally it may be necessary to use Chinese Cups, electrical stimulation, or Reflexology might be used to help confirm an imbalance. Do you re-use the needles? No. I use sterile, individually packed, disposable stainless steel needles.

CHINESE CUPS (or cupping therapy)

The method of cupping I use is an ancient Chinese practice called “Fire Cupping”. A glass cup is applied to the skin after having removed the oxygen from the glass by a flame. The cups can either be left in place or oil can be applied to the skin and the cup can then be moved - called “Slide Cupping”.
Because this therapy can reach a depth of up to four inches into the body tissue, it´s effects are marvellous causing the body´s tissue to release, activates the lymphatic system, removes inflammation, nourishes the blood supply to the
skin, clears stagnation and toxins and increases the circulation.

GUA SHA

Gua (meaning to rub or scrape) and Sha (reddish raised patch of skin). This therapy is also known as “Scraping Therapy”. This can be used to help with eliminating common cold symptoms, as well as helping with pain linked with fibromyalgia.
These are just two of the extra therapies that could be used during one of your treatments.