Acupuncture is a system of healing originating in China, which can have a powerful and long lasting effect on an individual’s health and well being. It can be used for a wide range of health issues including acute symptom relief as well as providing a useful support in the management of chronic problems. Acupuncturists use fine needles and moxa, an herb which is burned to gently warm the point to correct imbalances in the body.

ACUPUNCTURE - Frequently asked questions

How does Acupuncture work?
According to acupuncture theory the body is covered by a network of twelve meridians, rather like the network of nerves or blood vessels in the body. The acupuncture meridians connect to, and work with, twelve of the organs in the body (heart, spleen, large intestine etc.). Each acupuncture point is a specific area along the meridian where the energy gathers and has a particular function in the body on a physical, mental and emotional level. These points may be stimulated using needles and moxa.

What happens in a consultation?
Although you may be coming for acupuncture to address a specific problem you may have other health issues, either in the past or present which are associated with this or you may have an underlying problem that also needs to be treated before a full recovery can be made.
Your first consultation will be an opportunity for you to give as much information as you can about your main problem. You might be asked how long you have had the problem, what makes it feel better or worse and the character of any pain that you might be feeling. You will also be asked about your general health that might include questions about your sleep patterns, digestion and emotional state. The acupuncturist can also get a lot of information from feeling your pulse and either looking at your tongue or feeling your abdomen. All the questioning, looking and feeling will give the acupuncturist a picture of your health and any patterns of disharmony in your body, which can then be treated.
A treatment consists of the insertion of very fine needles into specific acupuncture points in the body. You may have anything from one to ten needles inserted.

What does it feel like to have acupuncture?
Acupuncture needles are very fine and often inserted with guide tubes which means that treatment is generally comfortable. Most people find that having acupuncture is a relaxing and pleasant experience and they generally feel calmer, noticing improvements to their health and energy in the days following a treatment.