What does acupuncture treat? |
Acupuncture treats you as a whole person in the context of your life and your experience living in this world (probably in Hertfordshire!) Below are some of the common conditions I treat in clinic. My focus is to establish the root causes of 'dis-ease' to enable the body to gently rebalance and repair.
A report by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) in August 2020 recommended acupuncture as a treatment across all chronic primary pain conditions. You can read more about the effectiveness of acupuncture for a wide range of conditions through fact sheets provided by The British Acupuncture Council. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is acupuncture?
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Traditional acupuncture is a healthcare system used in the East for over 2000 years. Traditional Chinese Medical theory views pain and illness as an indication that the body is out of balance. The aim of acupuncture is to stimulate the body’s natural healing system and restore health and equilibrium. Needling taps into the body’s energy or qi, releasing areas of ‘stuckness’ and promoting better flow within the body. Treatment is completely individual to each patient; it works holistically, aiming to restore the body’s inherent ability to heal. An acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of fine needles at acupuncture points. There are hundreds of acupuncture points all over the body. The most used are on the arms, below the elbow, and on the legs, below the knee.
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What about the science?
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There is an ever-expanding body of research to back up the potential mechanisms of acupuncture. Needling can be seen to tap into the communications networks of our bodies, affecting our nervous and endocrine systems and stimulating a myriad of regulative responses by way of the brains messenger signals, neurotransmitters.
Recent research has shown that needling triggers the release of adenosine and adenosine-triphosphate (ATP), an important anti-inflammatory compound affecting the immune, nervous, circulatory, respiratory, and urinary system and playing a key role in pain relief. If you are interested in finding out more about the mechanisms of acupuncture, please check out the Evidence Based Acupuncture site. |
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What is moxa?
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Moxibustion involves the burning of the herb Chinese mugwort, commonly known as moxa, to warm acupuncture points and areas of the body. There are different techniques such as placing the moxa on the handle of a needle, a moxa stick, or placing moxa directly on the skin. I use mainly direct moxa, which is lit and allowed to slowly smoulder, enabling a therapeutic heat to permeate into the body and improve the flow of Qi and Blood in the area being treated. Moxa has many therapeutic benefits and can enhance the effects of your acupuncture treatment.
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What is cupping?
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Cupping is an ancient form of treatment which help stimulate the flow of Qi and blood circulation in the body and can help to relieve muscle tension and pain. It involves the use of suction cups which are placed on the area being treated. Cupping may help a number of conditions including:
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What is Gua Sha?
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Gua Sha therapy involves the rubbing of your skin with a tool to stimulate circulation and treat areas of muscle pain or tenderness. Gua means to rub or press and Sha describes the red dots (petechiae) that appear on the skin as a result of treatment. Treatment can be beneficial for muscle tension, pain and to reduce inflammation. I apply a small amount of oil and apply pressure, directed by you, which ensures you are in control of the treatment. In traditional medicine terms, Gua Sha moves stuck Qi and Blood, and releases this to the exterior.
As this treatment involves rubbing of the skin, redness in the treated area is normal and expected. This is temporary and settles over a few days. |
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Is acupuncture safe?
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Acupuncture is one of the safest medical treatments available in the UK. The risk of adverse reaction, when carried out by a qualified practitioner, is less than one in 10,000. I recommend ensuring that your acupuncturist is fully trained and belongs to a professional organisation such as the British Acupuncture Council
As acupuncture involves the insertion of needles there will sometimes be a small bruise where the needle was inserted. Occasionally, people can feel dizzy or tired after a treatment, but this passes quickly. |
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How can I be sure my acupuncturist is qualified?
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Unlike many healthcare professions, acupuncturists are not statutorily regulated. This means that anyone can set themselves up as an acupuncturist regardless of the qualifications that they may hold. The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) is the largest self-regulatory body for acupuncturists in the UK. All practicing members of the BAcC hold degree level qualifications in acupuncture and adhere to their professional codes. By choosing a member of the BAcC you can be confident that they are well qualified and will provide a professional service. The BAcC is an Accredited Register with the Professional Standard Authority (PSA). The PSA oversees the work of the BAcC and provides an extra level of assurance when choosing an acupuncturist.
I am a member of the BAcC and am listed as a practitioner on the BAcC website |
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