Acupuncture appointments may include moxibustion (heat therapy), dry cupping, gua sha or Chinese medicine diet and lifestyle advice. If you are concerned about needles please ask me about alternatives I can provide.
If you are interested to know what to expect when you come for acupuncture please use this link.
Acupuncture originated in Asia and typically uses very fine, sterile, single-use needles to stimulate specific points on the body. It takes a holistic approach and may also include other techniques mentioned below.
Those who have acupuncture have a wide variety of ailments including but not limited to: post-operative and chronic pain, sciatica, lower back pain, osteoarthritis of the knee, TMJ pain, chronic headaches and migraines, depression, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, overactive bladder or menopausal symptoms.
Other people choose acupuncture when they feel their bodily functions are out of balance but have no obvious medical diagnosis leading to medical treatment. Many people also have regular acupuncture simply because they find it beneficial and deeply relaxing.
A growing body of evidence-based clinical research is discovering how the body responds to acupuncture and its benefits for a wide range of common health conditions. You can find an overview of the scientific evidence on the Evidence Based Acupuncture website here.
The focus is on the whole individual rather than on a single ailment, since the emotional, mental, and physical aspects of a person are understood to be interconnected. A range of diagnostic approaches including observing the tongue, taking the pulse, cupping, guasha and moxibustion may be used although acupuncture predominantly involves the insertion of fine, single-use, disposable needles under the skin.
The body is thought to run on energy (otherwise known as qi) and the flow of this energy requires specific pathways (or meridians) for the body to run smoothly. These meridians affect specific organs so blockages can result in illness or dis-ease. Fortunately, each meridian has several acupuncture points, and ultra-fine needles are used in acupuncture to trigger the body’s healing response. This restores the body to its former equilibrium, and often creates an overall sense of wellbeing.