What will happen on my first visit and how long will it take?
On your first visit you will receive a Traditional Diagnosis that lasts around 1 ½ to 2 hours as well as your first treatment.
On your first visit a full case history will be taken (including details of your medical and family history, lifestyle, sleep, appetite and your present condition) to determine your personalised treatment plan. A number of diagnostic techniques will also be applied (I will be explained to you prior to their completion and include tongue diagnosis and pulse taking.
You will then usually receive your first treatment, where acupuncture points are selected according to your symptoms as well as your underlying energy pattern. The single-use sterile needles come in sealed packs: they should be opened in front of you and are safely disposed of after each treatment.
What Does an Acupuncture Treatment Entail?
Pulse taking, located in the wrist, to give me information about the state and flow of Qi throughout your body.
Moxibustion, the application of warmth by burning a herb – called moxa – over acupuncture points, may also be used on its own or in combination with acupuncture needles.
I may also make specific recommendations regarding your lifestyle in order to help treatment. Suggested changes such as improvements to diet or taking exercise may also be made depending on your circumstances and response to treatment.
How Many Treatments Will I need?
Most people will need treatment (which takes approximately one hour) once or twice during the first week and then once a week thereafter until some improvement has been maintained.
The treatments are gradually spaced further apart until there is only a need for a check-up as and when required. Some people will need extensive treatment whereas others will need only a few treatments.
What responses may I expect from treatment?
Every individual is unique, so the response to treatment varies from person to person. Often the initial improvements are in the overall state of health and then improvement in the main complaint will follow. Some people feel revitalised mentally or physically after treatment whilst with others the changes are more subtle and noticed in retrospect.
How often will I need to come?
We are all unique – as with any therapy the amount of treatment varies from person to person. I often ask patients to come weekly initially and then as progress is sustained treatments are spaced out gradually until only a top up treatment is required. I would expect improvement after 6-10 treatments, though some people see improvement before this, and for some it takes longer.
Is it safe?
Acupuncture is a safe treatment for all, including pregnant women. British Acupuncture Council Members have rigorous clinical standards, including the use of disposable needles.
The results of two independent surveys published in the British Medical Journal in 2001 (MacPherson et al, White et al, both BMJ September 2001) concluded that the risk of serious adverse reaction to acupuncture is less than 1 in 10,000. The needles used are single-use, sterile, and disposable. Responses to treatment can sometimes include tiredness or mild dizziness, and very occasionally minor bruising may occur. However, all such reactions are short-lived.
What does having acupuncture it feel like?
Acupuncture needles are much finer and solid as opposed to needles used for injections and blood tests. Patients have described the needles as being almost the same width as a hair. When the needle is inserted you may feel a tingling sensation or dull ache. Needles are generally inserted for a second or to, or left in place for up to twenty minutes, depending on the effect required. During treatment, patients often experience a pleasant feeling of relaxation.
How will I expect to feel during an acupuncture treatment?
Most patients find acupuncture treatment a very calming experience, in addition to its positive effects on presenting symptoms and general wellbeing.
To maximise the effects of treatment:
I advise that no alcohol is consumed on the day of treatment, in order to maximise the effectiveness of treatment. Try to arrive for treatment relaxed and allow yourself to take things as easy as possible for at least two hours afterwards.
| 
