What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a tried and tested system of medicine.  The Chinese and other eastern cultures have been using acupuncture to restore, promote and maintain good health for thousands of years.  Today, more and more people are finding this long established therapy can offer an effective solution to all manner of today’s ills.  Acupuncture is now accepted all over the world as a valid system of healthcare and in the UK there are currently 2,600 qualified acupuncturists registered with the British Acupuncture Council.

The British Acupuncture Council

The British Acupuncture Council is a registering body for the professional acupuncturists.  They ensure the health and safety of the public by maintaining a high standard of education, ethics, discipline and practice.  Acupuncturists registered with the British Acupuncture Council carry the letters MBAcC after their name.  All members have completed a first degree level training in traditional acupuncture including appropriate elements of western medical sciences and are covered by full Professional Indemnity and Public/Products Liability insurance.

How Acupuncture can help you

Good health is not just the absence of pain or disease.  Traditional acupuncture works to maintain the body’s equilibrium by focusing on all aspects of wellbeing, physical, mental and emotional.  According to traditional Chinese philosophy, our health is dependent on the body’s motivating energy moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of channels beneath the skin.  This energy is known as qi.
The flow of qi can be disturbed by a number of factors.  These include emotional states such as anger or grief as well as poor nutrition, hereditary factors, infections and trauma.  When qi is unbalanced, illness may result.
The acupuncturist inserts ultra fine needles at chosen points along the channels of energy.  The aim is to stimulate the body’s own healing response and restore natural balance.  Treatment is aimed at the root of your condition, as well as your symptoms.  This approach can lead to a more permanent resolution of your problem.

Who has Acupuncture?

Many people come to acupuncture for help with specific symptoms or conditions.  Others choose acupuncture as a preventive measure to strengthen their constitution or because they just feel generally unwell.  Acupuncture is considered suitable for all ages, included babies and children.  It can also be used alongside conventional medicine.

What happens when I go for treatment?

You will be asked about your current symptoms, what treatment you have received, your medical history, your diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and emotional state.  The acupuncturist is also likely to feel your pulses on both wrists, and may ask to look at your tongue.  The acupuncture points used are not always close to the part of the body where you experience the problem.

How many sessions will I need?

Frequency and length of treatment depends on your individual condition.  Some change is usually felt after five treatments, although occasionally only one or two treatments are required.   Some patients may need treatment over several months.  Your acupuncturist will normally ask to see you once or twice a week at first.

Should my doctor know?

If you have been prescribed medication it makes sense to tell your doctor that you are planning to have acupuncture.  You should always tell your acupuncturist about medication you are taking as this may affect your response to the acupuncture treatment.

Is it safe?

Acupuncture is generally very safe.  Research shows that serious side effects are very rare, less that one per 10,000 treatments.  The needles are single-use sterile and disposable.

What does it feel like?

Acupuncture needles are substantially finer than needles used for injections and blood tests.  When the needle is inserted, the sensation is often described as a tingling or dull ache.

What can acupuncture do for you?

Acupuncture is widely considered to be beneficial for a range of illnesses and symptoms from clearly defined complaints such as headaches, vomiting, neck ache and back, rheumatic and dental pain, through to more general feelings of ill health such as nausea or low energy.
Many women choose to have acupuncture throughout pregnancy and childbirth.  In addition, it is increasingly, used by couples dealing with problems of infertility or to support IVF treatment.  Acupuncture can also support people trying to overcome addictions such as those related to smoking, alcohol, food or drugs.

Therapist - Tracey Phillips