Acupuncture
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the ancient art of rebalancing the Qi that flows throughout our body. Qi is the energy that flows along fascial pathways in between our bones, muscles and organs. If Qi becomes blocked or deficient then the body cannot function properly causing us to become unhealthy, resulting in illness and/or disease. Ultrafine sterile single use needles can be inserted in very specific points along these fascial pathways to rebalance the body & restore the equilibrium.
The origins of acupuncture date back, at least, to the Shang Dynasty (c. 1000 BC) but evidence reflects that it could date back much further than this. The first written texts on Chinese medicine date back over 2000 years. Acupuncture has changed little over the centuries. However, it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that acupuncture was practiced in the West and it is only in later years its effectiveness in treating a wide range of different conditions and diseases has been recognised.
Who has acupuncture and what can it treat?
Many people have acupuncture to relieve specific aches and pains, such as osteoarthritis of the knee, headaches and low back pain, or for common health problems like an overactive bladder. Some people choose acupuncture when their body systems are out of balance, even though they have no obvious diagnosis. Others choose acupuncture simply to enhance their feelings of wellbeing and have regular treatment just because they find it beneficial and relaxing. Pregnant women commonly use acupuncture for support throughout their pregnancy.
Acupuncture can be used effectively alongside conventional medicine. The medical profession is increasingly recognising the benefits of acupuncture and the government body NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) has recommended acupuncture as a cost effective treatment to help with chronic (long-term) pain including low back pain, knee pain and joint pain; chronic tension-type headaches
and migraines; dental pain and postoperative pain.
There is now a core of evidence-based research showing that acupuncture is effective and cost-effective and is safe in competent hands. It can be used to treat a variety of ailments, and these include but are not limited to:
What evidence is there that acupuncture works?
There has been much recent, robust scientific evidence which provides an explanation as to how Acupuncture actually works using western, scientific terminology.
When an acupuncture needle is inserted into the skin it impacts the body in 3 main ways:-
Acupuncture stimulates the body to produce it’s own natural pain killers. It also stimulates the release of molecules associated with tissue healing and disease resolution. LEARN MORE >
The Acupuncture needle** stretches and degranulates the fascia (connective tissue) easing constriction which may be causing painful trigger points, stagnation and pain. LEARN MORE >
Evidence based Acupuncture is also a useful resource.
What to expect during treatment
To help you enjoy the experience of acupuncture and get as much out of it as possible it is important that you feel secure and completely at ease. To help accomplish this the treatment room is large, peaceful and has a calming atmosphere and an electric couch is used allowing it to be at different heights which makes getting on and off it easier. I will also talk you through every stage of your treatment to ensure that you feel happy with what is happening. The ability to completely relax and let go during treatment means that your Qi (energy) can flow more readily and this really helps your treatment to be successful.
I have a holistic approach and will complete a detailed consultation with you prior to any treatment to address the root cause of any symptoms you may be experiencing rather than just treating the symptoms. Therefore, getting to know you and your main health concern/s is a vital part in the process of ensuring your treatment is completely tailored to what’s important to you.
Does it hurt?
As the needle is inserted you can often feel a tiny twinge, this should disappear immediately. If it doesn’t then the needle is manipulated, if there is still any discomfort then the needle is removed and another will be inserted. Needles remain in situ for approximately 20 - 40 minutes.
How long does it take to see results?
Sadly, there is no such thing as a magic wand which we can wave, say “abracadabra”, to fix everything and make you feel 100% again! However, we can help to rebalance the body and hopefully get it back to functioning to the best of its ability. The length of time this takes will vary. It’s important to remember that many conditions take weeks, months or even years to reach a stage that we seek treatment, therefore, it is likely that it will take several treatments to improve or resolve the problem as acupuncture has an accumulative effect with each treatment building on the previous ones.
Everyone responds differently to acupuncture, and we will always give you an estimate of how many treatments we think you will need. Initially a course of 6 weekly treatments, lasting up to an hour, is usually recommended, however further sessions may be necessary. People respond differently to acupuncture, but we would expect that you will start to see some improvements within the first 3 sessions. Acupuncture works cumulatively so the more treatments you have the more effective it is! Most people continue with further weekly treatments and then gradually reduce the frequency of appointments as they improve. Our aim is always to resolve your symptoms as quickly as possible and get you back to feeling ‘you’ again – we will never recommend more treatments than you need.
How will I feel after the treatment?
Everyone is different, the majority of people feel very relaxed and calm, some may feel invigorated, whilst others may feel tired or washed out for a few hours and need to go home and rest. To get the best results from your treatment it is recommended that you refrain from vigorous exercise and give your body time to rest, drink plenty of water and refrain from drinking alcohol for several hours after a treatment.
Are there any side effects?
Acupuncture has very few side effects, sometimes a small bruise may appear when a needle is removed. Occasionally symptoms may flare up briefly following treatment but this is usually short lived and followed by an overall improvement.
Do I need to see a doctor before I have acupuncture treatment?
If you have a health problem it is recommended that you first seek help and advice from your GP. However, many patients have already had medical treatment and are coming for acupuncture as conventional medicine has been unable to resolve their problem satisfactorily. Your doctor’s diagnosis will be helpful, but I am more interested in how your disease process affects you in particular, so I can treat you as a whole person according to my acupuncture diagnosis, rather than treat the disease. The acupuncture may enable you to reduce or stop taking some forms of medication, but your doctor should always be consulted regarding any changes in medication you may be considering.
What can I do to help myself?
It is important to remember that acupuncture is not a ‘cure-all’, however, the more effectively you look after yourself by having a healthy diet, doing regular exercise and avoiding the things that we know are likely to aggravate certain conditions, will help ensure you get the best possible results from your treatments.
Qi Gong is a gentle stretching exercise routine which improves both mental & physical health, an example of Qi Gong can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-jSBBwr8Ko.
And finally …
Rest assured that by seeing a Association of Acupuncture Clinicians (AAC) registered Acupuncturist you will always be in safe hands, as they are trained to a very high standard and work to a very specific code of safe practise. An ACC practitioner will never put you at risk and will endeavour to ensure that you always get the very best possible outcome from your treatments.
About the Association of Acupuncture Clinicians
The Association of Acupuncture Clinicians (AAC) is an innovative and leading force within acupuncture led by a team of highly motivated Acupuncture Clinicians who together have made huge changes in the industry.
Our members are highly qualified acupuncture clinicians with degree-level qualifications in traditional classical acupuncture. This means that when you choose to be treated by a member of AAC you can be assured that your health will be in safe hands.
We work to promote the benefits of acupuncture and aim to influence health care policy. We provide a variety of services to support our members and their practices.
Look for the letters MAAC after the name of your acupuncturist to be sure of:
✓ extensive training – minimum three years degree level – with relevant western medicine including anatomy and physiology
✓ adherence to the AAC codes of safe practice and professional conduct
✓ compliance with current health and safety legislation
✓ full cover for medical malpractice and public/products liability
✓ mandatory continuing professional development to keep knowledge and skills up to date
✓ postgraduate study of special interest areas such as pain management and acupuncture for children
Remember: If your quality of life is affected by your health, or you just want to stay healthy then acupuncture may be of benefit to you!
Giving blood
You currently need to wait 4 months after your last acupuncture session before you can give blood again, this is because AAC members are self-regulated. This is very frustrating for you and us as we work to the same strict standards as those offering dry needling / acupuncture who are part of a mandatory regulated body, the AAC are working hard to get this changed and they are hopeful this will change in the near future.
Acupuncture is the ancient art of rebalancing the Qi that flows throughout our body. Qi is the energy that flows along fascial pathways in between our bones, muscles and organs. If Qi becomes blocked or deficient then the body cannot function properly causing us to become unhealthy, resulting in illness and/or disease. Ultrafine sterile single use needles can be inserted in very specific points along these fascial pathways to rebalance the body & restore the equilibrium.
The origins of acupuncture date back, at least, to the Shang Dynasty (c. 1000 BC) but evidence reflects that it could date back much further than this. The first written texts on Chinese medicine date back over 2000 years. Acupuncture has changed little over the centuries. However, it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that acupuncture was practiced in the West and it is only in later years its effectiveness in treating a wide range of different conditions and diseases has been recognised.
Who has acupuncture and what can it treat?
Many people have acupuncture to relieve specific aches and pains, such as osteoarthritis of the knee, headaches and low back pain, or for common health problems like an overactive bladder. Some people choose acupuncture when their body systems are out of balance, even though they have no obvious diagnosis. Others choose acupuncture simply to enhance their feelings of wellbeing and have regular treatment just because they find it beneficial and relaxing. Pregnant women commonly use acupuncture for support throughout their pregnancy.
Acupuncture can be used effectively alongside conventional medicine. The medical profession is increasingly recognising the benefits of acupuncture and the government body NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) has recommended acupuncture as a cost effective treatment to help with chronic (long-term) pain including low back pain, knee pain and joint pain; chronic tension-type headaches
and migraines; dental pain and postoperative pain.
There is now a core of evidence-based research showing that acupuncture is effective and cost-effective and is safe in competent hands. It can be used to treat a variety of ailments, and these include but are not limited to:
- Post-operative and chronic pain
- Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis
- Anxiety and Depression
- Sciatica / lower back pain
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Cancer-related fatigue
- Insomnia
- Menopausal symptoms
- Fertility Issues
- Chronic tension type headaches / migraines
- Asthma
- Allergic rhinitis
- Stress
What evidence is there that acupuncture works?
There has been much recent, robust scientific evidence which provides an explanation as to how Acupuncture actually works using western, scientific terminology.
When an acupuncture needle is inserted into the skin it impacts the body in 3 main ways:-
- Nerves
- Bio-Molecules
- Fascia
Acupuncture stimulates the body to produce it’s own natural pain killers. It also stimulates the release of molecules associated with tissue healing and disease resolution. LEARN MORE >
The Acupuncture needle** stretches and degranulates the fascia (connective tissue) easing constriction which may be causing painful trigger points, stagnation and pain. LEARN MORE >
Evidence based Acupuncture is also a useful resource.
What to expect during treatment
To help you enjoy the experience of acupuncture and get as much out of it as possible it is important that you feel secure and completely at ease. To help accomplish this the treatment room is large, peaceful and has a calming atmosphere and an electric couch is used allowing it to be at different heights which makes getting on and off it easier. I will also talk you through every stage of your treatment to ensure that you feel happy with what is happening. The ability to completely relax and let go during treatment means that your Qi (energy) can flow more readily and this really helps your treatment to be successful.
I have a holistic approach and will complete a detailed consultation with you prior to any treatment to address the root cause of any symptoms you may be experiencing rather than just treating the symptoms. Therefore, getting to know you and your main health concern/s is a vital part in the process of ensuring your treatment is completely tailored to what’s important to you.
- The first treatment is a longer session, up to 90 minutes (however some of this information may be obtained prior to treatment).
- It involves taking a detailed consultation asking a wide range of questions about your current and past medical history, the problem/s causing concern, diet, and exercise, emotional and physical well-being and your sleep pattern. Women are also asked about their menstrual cycle and any past pregnancies and childbirth.
- Your pulse on both wrists will be taken along with observation of your tongue and examining for areas of muscular tension or pain.
- If you’ve never experienced acupuncture before this can all feel very strange indeed, however we ascertain a vast amount of information by working in this way as the body is a mass of information just waiting to be read and helps to form a more complete picture of your health and lifestyle.
- Once we have completed the consultation and assessment we determine which acupuncture points will be used, this is referred to as a, ‘Treatment Prescription’ formulated just for you and in agreement with you which will have your overall goals at its core.
- When you are comfortable on the treatment couch, ultrafine sterile single use needles are placed at specific acupuncture points, these are typically left in situ between 20 and 40 minutes, the length of time depends on what is being treated and your overall condition.
- People often feel the sensation of these points but rarely is this described as painful.
- The vast majority of people find acupuncture relaxing and often feel very calm after a treatment. Many people actually fall asleep during treatment
- You may feel a little tired or sleepy and should take this into account if you are planning to drive or use heavy machinery straight after your treatment
- You should refrain from vigorous exercise after treatment and, ideally, give yourself a little time to rest. Try not to drink alcohol for several hours before and after treatment
- Depending on your condition, other techniques may also be used such as:
- Electro-acupuncture: involves stimulating two needles with electrical current. Patients usually feel a slight tingling or vibration like you would with a tens machine.
- Moxibustion: heat is applied to an acupuncture point or meridian using moxa (a therapeutic herb) and/or heat lamps to warm and relax muscles and mobilise your Qi
- Cupping: silicone, glass or plastic cups with a vacuum seal are placed on the skin to stimulate blood flow and clear & move stagnant Qi
- Guasha: vigorous rubbing of the skin increases blood flow and clears stagnant Qi
- Auricular (ear) seeds: are used to stimulate acupressure points on your ear; these are usually left on for a few days and can be massaged by yourself three to four times a day or when you have symptoms.
- Kinesiology taping: is applied strategically to certain parts of the body to provide support, reduce swelling, and lessen pain.
- Acupuncture has very few side effects and any that do occur are usually mild and self-correcting. Occasionally a small bruise may appear when the needle is removed. Cupping and guasha can sometimes temporarily mark the skin, any marks are normally painless and generally clear within a few days.
- Follow up treatments, if needed, last up to an hour.
- Lifestyle & dietary advice along with self-help exercises are commonly given after treatment and many patients find this extremely helpful.
- Your treatments are kept under continual review by Helen to ensure your health goals are being met. If she feels it necessary, she will suggest (or refer you to) other health practitioners.
Does it hurt?
As the needle is inserted you can often feel a tiny twinge, this should disappear immediately. If it doesn’t then the needle is manipulated, if there is still any discomfort then the needle is removed and another will be inserted. Needles remain in situ for approximately 20 - 40 minutes.
How long does it take to see results?
Sadly, there is no such thing as a magic wand which we can wave, say “abracadabra”, to fix everything and make you feel 100% again! However, we can help to rebalance the body and hopefully get it back to functioning to the best of its ability. The length of time this takes will vary. It’s important to remember that many conditions take weeks, months or even years to reach a stage that we seek treatment, therefore, it is likely that it will take several treatments to improve or resolve the problem as acupuncture has an accumulative effect with each treatment building on the previous ones.
Everyone responds differently to acupuncture, and we will always give you an estimate of how many treatments we think you will need. Initially a course of 6 weekly treatments, lasting up to an hour, is usually recommended, however further sessions may be necessary. People respond differently to acupuncture, but we would expect that you will start to see some improvements within the first 3 sessions. Acupuncture works cumulatively so the more treatments you have the more effective it is! Most people continue with further weekly treatments and then gradually reduce the frequency of appointments as they improve. Our aim is always to resolve your symptoms as quickly as possible and get you back to feeling ‘you’ again – we will never recommend more treatments than you need.
How will I feel after the treatment?
Everyone is different, the majority of people feel very relaxed and calm, some may feel invigorated, whilst others may feel tired or washed out for a few hours and need to go home and rest. To get the best results from your treatment it is recommended that you refrain from vigorous exercise and give your body time to rest, drink plenty of water and refrain from drinking alcohol for several hours after a treatment.
Are there any side effects?
Acupuncture has very few side effects, sometimes a small bruise may appear when a needle is removed. Occasionally symptoms may flare up briefly following treatment but this is usually short lived and followed by an overall improvement.
Do I need to see a doctor before I have acupuncture treatment?
If you have a health problem it is recommended that you first seek help and advice from your GP. However, many patients have already had medical treatment and are coming for acupuncture as conventional medicine has been unable to resolve their problem satisfactorily. Your doctor’s diagnosis will be helpful, but I am more interested in how your disease process affects you in particular, so I can treat you as a whole person according to my acupuncture diagnosis, rather than treat the disease. The acupuncture may enable you to reduce or stop taking some forms of medication, but your doctor should always be consulted regarding any changes in medication you may be considering.
What can I do to help myself?
It is important to remember that acupuncture is not a ‘cure-all’, however, the more effectively you look after yourself by having a healthy diet, doing regular exercise and avoiding the things that we know are likely to aggravate certain conditions, will help ensure you get the best possible results from your treatments.
Qi Gong is a gentle stretching exercise routine which improves both mental & physical health, an example of Qi Gong can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-jSBBwr8Ko.
And finally …
Rest assured that by seeing a Association of Acupuncture Clinicians (AAC) registered Acupuncturist you will always be in safe hands, as they are trained to a very high standard and work to a very specific code of safe practise. An ACC practitioner will never put you at risk and will endeavour to ensure that you always get the very best possible outcome from your treatments.
About the Association of Acupuncture Clinicians
The Association of Acupuncture Clinicians (AAC) is an innovative and leading force within acupuncture led by a team of highly motivated Acupuncture Clinicians who together have made huge changes in the industry.
Our members are highly qualified acupuncture clinicians with degree-level qualifications in traditional classical acupuncture. This means that when you choose to be treated by a member of AAC you can be assured that your health will be in safe hands.
We work to promote the benefits of acupuncture and aim to influence health care policy. We provide a variety of services to support our members and their practices.
Look for the letters MAAC after the name of your acupuncturist to be sure of:
✓ extensive training – minimum three years degree level – with relevant western medicine including anatomy and physiology
✓ adherence to the AAC codes of safe practice and professional conduct
✓ compliance with current health and safety legislation
✓ full cover for medical malpractice and public/products liability
✓ mandatory continuing professional development to keep knowledge and skills up to date
✓ postgraduate study of special interest areas such as pain management and acupuncture for children
Remember: If your quality of life is affected by your health, or you just want to stay healthy then acupuncture may be of benefit to you!
Giving blood
You currently need to wait 4 months after your last acupuncture session before you can give blood again, this is because AAC members are self-regulated. This is very frustrating for you and us as we work to the same strict standards as those offering dry needling / acupuncture who are part of a mandatory regulated body, the AAC are working hard to get this changed and they are hopeful this will change in the near future.
