FAQ’s

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

The words commonly associated with discomfort are Hurt or Pain - we might use other noises to interpret an uncomfortable sensation like, “Ouch” “Ow” “Aargh” all of these sound quiet unpleasant and probably bring up a negative connotation. However I would suggest that Hurt, Pain and noises alike are just labels for differing sensations, such as throbbing, warming, intense, dull, ache, radiating, stabbing, sharp or electric, these words describe clearly the sensation. Depending on the individual it might be one or two words which describe a sensation when connected with a particular acupuncture point, such as intense warming or a dull ache.

It is with careful inquiry and observation with all my patients, I am able to open a dialogue in those moments of treating and connect patients with the true experience, re-frame language and connect with sensation. It is true, you will feel something, during treatment when a connection is made with an acupuncture point but I would hope you would find that acupuncture doesn’t hurt or that acupuncture is not painful but just full of sensation.

Is Acupuncture Safe?

Competency of your practitioner is important when receiving any style of acupuncture or complementary therapy. To ensure safe practice I was able to train at the reputable College of Integrated Chinese Medicine (CICM) which has been teaching for over 27 years. The degree level training was rigorous, paying much attention to health and safety as well as theoretical application for the safe practice of acupuncture

Full qualification is a BAC Honours degree and a Licenture to Acupuncture, you are then eligible to apply for membership and insurance with British Acupuncture Council (BAcC).

Code of Safe Practice

Under the BAcC following the code of safe practice is of upmost importance. The code of safe practice identifies every element of health and safety in regards of the workplace, equipment and duty of care. These were also taught and examined throughout training with CICM, without detailed knowledge and practice of these principles it is impossible to qualify.

British Acupuncture Council Guidelines

As well as the Code of Safe practice the BAcC have outlined professional standards for all therapists, such as Code of Professional Conduct, Professional Competency Standards, Guide to Safe Practice, and The Standards of Practice for Acupuncture. These measure are made available and taught to all reputable colleges and updated and published for all their members.

Safe Practice in Eastern Energetic Theory

Acupuncture points are based on channels which flow all over the body, each one associated to specific organs. If energy is depleted of blocked we might use an appropriate point relating to the channel and organ affected. Energy acts very much like water as they flow along channels, points can be seen more like a sluice gate or a door. These gates are likely to shut if trauma on any level is received or if depletion is severe, contact with affected points can reestablish flow. Maintaining balance of Yin Yang energy are the main principles of Chinese Medicine, the metaphor of opening blocked gates and waking up depleted points is what a qualified and skillful practitioners objective is.

Getting Acupuncture for the First Time?

It might feel daunting to attend your first acupuncture appointment, perhaps you’re nervous, unsure of what happens during your first appointment. Maybe you have many questions like, is acupuncture going to very painful? Does acupuncture work? Will acupuncture help with my lower back pain, fertility, headaches or anxiety? How often would I need acupuncture? How long does it take for acupuncture to work?

Before Making an Acupuncture Appointment

With a quick email or phone call, I hope I will be able to cover any questions or queries you might have, this correspondence will also allow us to find the right day and time for your first acupuncture appointment, as well as your reason for visit too. I hope you will find any answers within the FAQ’s too.

Your First Acupuncture Appointment

This is why helpful FAQ’s can be a godsend, shining a light into the unknown. All first time acupuncture appointments with me are a mix of a consultation and treatment. They range between 60 to 90 minutes allowing plenty of time to conduct a comprehensive consultation. This is to understand your reason for seeking treatment, current lifestyle and family history and complete picture of your physical systems such as sleep and digestion.

Pulses

At every stage I will clearly explain the next step, there are no surprises and your comfort is paramount. After our consultation, you will lie down comfortably on a couch where I will listen into your pulses at the wrists to provide a clear impression of your internal energy. I will also take a note of the temperature of your core body, the chest, stomach and lower belly, another investigation to better understand your full energetical picture.

Acupuncture Treatment

With nearly every patient I will carry out a wonderful treatment that is focused on removing any blocks that might be present. This effective treatment is gentle and is carried out whilst lying prone on your front. Incredibly fine needles are placed on particular points on your back, superficially, meaning you will feel something but very lightly. We leave these for five to twenty minutes depending. The pulses will change as any blocked energy is cleared, signalling for the removal of points.

Usually we will finish the treatment by grounding your energy, with points at either your wrist or feet. A different approach is taken, this time entering points specific to your guardian element, here we will make contact with your Qi (energy), noticing any sensation that might be present, such as dull, tingling, warmth, tugging, aches, movement, intense, either located directly at the point or in specific part of your body. The needles here are in and out, connecting with Qi and then removed, making this last bit of treatment no longer than five minutes.

How Will I Feel After Treatment

Everyone is different. Some immediately notice overwhelming change as soon as treatment is over, for others it can be days and then a sudden shift. If you are new to receiving acupuncture, recognising differences in physical or emotional sensations can be difficult. If you are deeply disconnected with mind-body it can take time to bring awareness of changes, as we realign focus from the chattering mind to the emotional body. After a handful a treatment, you might start to notice a deeper change, maybe physical complaints have dispersed and gone completely or internally a steadiness, a calm or contentment. As a practitioner this is the area of focus, connecting with that inner knowing of how to be, feel okay and not affected from life events.

How Long Will Acupuncture Take To Work?

After your initial appointment, it is recommended four to six appointments, weekly ideally. This allows work with your guardian element, nourishing depletion and clearing reoccurring blockages. With in this time it’s very common to notice positive improvements to your physical health as well as your emotional wellbeing a return to the feeling of knowing how to be, or just a feeling more like your old self, re-tuned.

After four to six weeks, it’s normal to spread out appointments from weekly to two weeks. Depending on the individual, it is common to have a monthly or seasonal appointments, to top up as part of a preventative health plan. Acupuncture is viewed for many as just as valuable as eating five types of fruit and vegetables daily, walking and running or attending yoga and pilates classes. A preventative outlook and responsibility of self care makes a difference for mind and body health and wellness and keeps functional disease at bay.