Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an effective form of natural medicine that originated in China and has been developed through thousands of years of clinical practice and observation.

Acupuncture offers a holistic approach to healthcare, recognising and taking into account the links between the mind, body, emotions and environmental aspects of health.

By dealing with both the presenting symptoms of illness and the root, or cause of the problem, it is able to treat the whole person relieving symptoms and endeavoring to prevent reoccurrence of illness in the future.
Treatments are tailored exactly to each person's needs allowing individualised therapy.

How does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture works on the principle that vital energy, or Qi, flows around the body in channels called meridians. These are a network of interconnecting channels flowing between the skin and internal organs, all over the body, similar to our blood and lymphatic systems. In good health this vital energy flow is smooth and undisturbed. Factors such as a poor diet, stress, overworking, alcohol, trauma and environmental influences can disrupt and block the flow of Qi and lead to ill health. During an acupuncture treatment very fine needles are inserted in specific acu-points on the body which encourages the smooth flow of Qi and promotes healing and good health.

If we consider a sprained ankle that wasn't repaired back to full health, we can often see swollen tissue and restricted movement where the injury occurred. The swollen tissue slows down the movement of blood, lymph and Qi in that area – hence movement is restricted and painful. By inserting fine needles we can increase circulation and movement of blood, lymph and Qi from just under the skin to deep within the tissue in the local area, promoting healing and movement of the ankle. Other fine needles are placed in other acu-points around the body to encourage general movement of Qi, blood and lymph, strengthening the person as a whole at the same time as treating the injury locally.

What to expect

A full case history is taken in the first consultation to gather information so that acu-points can be chosen to form an individual prescription, tailored to each persons needs in order to resolve imbalances and restore health.

A gentle first treatment is then given to see the response to therapy. This usually lasts for 60 to 90 minutes.

Follow on treatments are usually shorter and last for around 45 minutes.

In addition to acupuncture, massage and warming techniques are often used.

Acupuncture is a suitable treatment for everyone, young and old and from any background. Some people use acupuncture to treat a specific problem where others use it to maintain good health as part of their healthy lifestyle regime.

Responses to treatment vary from person to person, however many people find acupuncture very relaxing and even fall asleep during treatment!

What can acupuncture treat?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that acupuncture has been proven through clinical trials as an effective treatment for many conditions and has a positive therapeutic effect for others.

http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js4926e/5.html

• Musculo-Skeletal
  back, neck and shoulder pain, sciatica, joint pain, sports injuries, arthritis, tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, acute and chronic pain
• Gastro-Intestinal
  indigestion, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), colitis, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, acid reflux
• Respiratory
  asthma, common cold, influenza, sinusitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, hayfever
• Women's Health
  PMS, menopause, painful or irregular periods, PCOS, endometriosis, hormone imbalances, fibroids, primary and secondary infertility
• Pregnancy and Labour
  morning sickness, back pain, pre-birth, breech presentation, induction of labour
• Fertility
  male and female infertility, preconception care, IVF support including pre and post IVF embryo transfer treatment
• Neurological
  migraine, sinusitis, headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, Bell's palsy, stroke
• Emotional
  general stress, insomnia, anxiety, depression, addiction
• Skin
  scars, eczema, psoriasis
• General
  maintaining good health, boosting immunity

This list is not exhaustive so please get in touch if you have any questions about how acupuncture can help your condition.

Why choose acupuncture?

As a natural form of health care acupuncture:

• provides drug-free pain relief
• effectively treats and wide variety of acute and chronic ailments
• treats both the symptoms and underlying causes of ill health holistically
• offers individualised treatment tailored specifically to each patient
• aids the prevention of ill health and encourages well-being by boosting the immune system
• can be used as a 'stand alone' treatment or safely combined with conventional or other systems of natural medicine such as homeopathy and naturopathy.

Acupuncture is a safe, natural and very powerful therapy that has been clinically shown to treat a wide range of conditions.

Come and improve your health with acupuncture today!