Many people use acupuncture to 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 including the elderly. It can be very effective when integrated with conventional medicine.

Acupuncture can help a wide range of conditions. The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) has research fact sheets to help you find out how acupuncture can help you. You can find them here.

All members of the BAcC are required to undertake the highest quality of training and follow strict codes of safe acupuncture practice, professional conduct, and hygiene standards and are approved by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care.

There's no need to be nervous, the entire experience is designed to be extremely relaxing and it's not uncommon for patients to fall asleep during their session. Patients often describe the needle sensation as a tingling or dull ache and in most treatments needles are not left in and are used as sparingly as possible, trying to affect change with minimal intervention. I like to use the least amount of needles possible. Depending on the treatment, there could be anywhere between 3 – 12 needles. Mostly, around 4-6 needles are used.

Cupping is sometimes performed with acupuncture treatments. Cups are placed on your skin using heat. You’ll feel a sucking sensation and pressure as the cups are suctioned. Depending on the type of cupping, I may leave you to rest for a few minutes or move them up and down before removing the cups.

Your skin may turn red but any discoloration or marks from cupping usually go away within 7 days of the session and you may feel mildly lightheaded or dizzy during your treatment

Acupuncture needles are much finer than the needles used for injections and blood tests. You may not even feel them penetrate the skin and once in place, they are hardly noticeable. Most of the time, the needles are gently inserted, turned and then quickly removed. There may be occasional times when the needles need to be left in for 10 minutes or more, depending on the condition.

Acupuncture has virtually no unpleasant side effects. Any that do occur are mild and self-correcting. Occasionally there may be minor bruising at the needle point or a short-term flare-up of your symptoms as your body adjusts to treatment.

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes when coming for treatment. You will only need to expose certain parts of your body, typically your forearms and lower legs and your back. If you need to remove any items of clothing for treatment you will be covered by clean, warm blankets so that only the part of the body to be worked on will be visible.

That depends on your individual condition but It is normal to have 4 treatments consecutively once a week for 4 weeks. Usually, after 4 treatments, a person is heading in the right direction and can maintain wellness for a longer time. Perhaps after that, you may need treatment once a month, and then after that when the seasons change. Many of my patients have been coming for periodic maintenance treatments for years, coming several times a year.

If you are currently receiving treatment from your doctor it is sensible to mention that you plan to have acupuncture. I will also need to know about any medication you are taking as this may affect your response to the acupuncture treatment and forms a huge part of understanding all of your symptoms relative to your health.

Many private health insurance companies offer cover for traditional acupuncture. As a member of the leading professional body, the British Acupuncture Council, this should in most cases be very straightforward. Please check your individual policy details and contact me if you require specific information.