Frequently Asked Questions
Find out more about our treatments
Feeling secure and completely at ease will help you enjoy the experience of acupuncture and get as much out of it as possible.
Everything about your experience here at the clinic is consciously designed to make sure you feel relaxed and comfortable.
The clinic room is calm, airy and peaceful. The treatment couch is extra wide and gently heated so you can deeply relax; we often play soothing music, much of which has been chosen to suit particular issues, Apart from being very enjoyable, the ability to completely relax and let go during your treatment means that your Qi (energy) can flow more readily and help your treatment be a success for you.
Getting to know you and your main health concern (or concerns) is a vital part in the process of ensuring your treatment is completely tailored to what’s important.
- The first appointment for acupuncture is generally 1.5 hrs long and is designed to map a comprehensive and clear picture of your health, what’s brought you here and what you’d like to achieve.
- This involves asking questions about your current symptoms and your medical history, as well as such things as your sleeping pattern, your appetite and digestion, and your emotional wellbeing. Women are also asked about their menstrual cycle and any past pregnancies and childbirth.
- You might feel that some questions appear unrelated to your condition but the information you give helps to form a more complete picture of your health and lifestyle.
- Your pulse on both wrists will be taken along with observation of your tongue and examining for areas of muscular tension or pain.
- Once a clear picture of your health and goals is formed, a specific acupuncture treatment plan will be formulated just for you and in agreement with you.
- The treatment plan will have your overall goals at its core.
- When you are comfortable on the treatment couch, ultra-fine needles are placed at specific acupuncture points.
- People often feel the sensation of these points but rarely is this described as painful.
- Depending on your condition, other techniques may also be used such as:
- moxibustion: heat is applied to an acupuncture point or meridian using moxa (a therapeutic herb) and/or heat lamps to warm and relax muscles and mobilise your Qi
- cupping: glass or plastic cups with a vacuum seal are placed on the skin to stimulate blood flow and clear & move stagnant Qi
- The acupuncture needles are left in typically between 30 and 50 minutes – the length of time depends on what is being treated and your overall condition.
- The vast majority of people find acupuncture relaxing and often feel very calm after a treatment. Many people actually fall asleep during treatment
- You may feel a little tired or sleepy and should take this into account if you are planning to drive or use heavy machinery straight after your treatment
- You should refrain from vigorous exercise after treatment and, ideally, give yourself a little time to rest. Try not to drink alcohol for several hours before and after treatment
- Acupuncture has very few side effects and any that do occur are usually mild and self-correcting. Cupping can sometimes temporarily mark the skin. Any marks are normally painless and generally clear within a few days.
- Follow up treatments, if needed, last an hour.
- Lifestyle & dietary advice along with self-help exercises are commonly given after treatment and many patients find this extremely helpful.
- Your treatment is kept under continual review to ensure your health goals are being met. If we feels it necessary, we will suggest (or refer you to) other health practitioners.
- You can contact us at any time by email Info@acupuncturewellbeing.co.uk or by phone 12344567, if you have any questions. We don’t use an online booking system as we prefer the personal touch of talking to you first.
Many people come to acupuncture for help with specific symptoms or complaints such as migraine or pain from muscular injuries. Some use acupuncture because they feel generally unwell but have no obvious diagnosis. Others choose acupuncture simply to enhance their feelings of wellbeing. Acupuncture is considered suitable for all ages including babies and children. It can be used effectively alongside conventional medicine. The medical profession is increasingly recognising the benefits of acupuncture and the government body NICE has recommended acupuncture as a cost effective treatment for the prevention of headache and migraine. The British Acupuncture Council has information on the latest research on acupuncture for some of the most common problems in addition to factsheets for over 60 conditions. They offer an additional service of searching for latest evidence for you.
No special preparation for treatment, although its best to avoid acupuncture on an empty stomach – so try to eat a light meal or have a snack before coming for treatment. Its also helpful if you wear loose, comfortable clothing.
It is important to tell us if you are either pregnant or trying to conceive – there are certain acupuncture points that should be avoided in pregnancy.
If you are taking any prescription or over the counter medicine, please bring details of these to your first appointment. Certain conditions and medication require your practitioner to take additional precautions, these will be explained to you.
People respond differently to acupuncture and we will always give you an estimate of many treatments we think you will need. We normally recommend an initial course consisting of approximately six weekly appointments lasting about 6o mins. Most people continue with further weekly treatments and then gradually reduce the frequency of appointments as they improve. Our aim is always to resolve your symptoms as quickly as possible and get you back to feeling ‘you’ again – we will never recommend more treatments than you need.
Acupuncture generally does not hurt. Some people feel a mild tingle or dull ache, which is completely normal, and some people feel nothing. While the needles are in place most people feel deeply relaxed, a feeling that can continue after they are removed.
Acupuncture is a very safe therapy, and we only use single – use, sterile, single use disposable needles. Serious side effects from the treatment itself are very rare – less than one per 10,000 treatment. You may feel slightly tired after treatment, so its best to avoid heavy exertion or exercise, large meals and very hot baths for the rest of the day. It’s also advisable to avoid alcohol for 24 hours after a treatment, and to drink plenty of water. Minor bleeding or bruising can occur in about 3% of treatments and some patients can feel faint, particularly at the first treatment.
There are very few side effects from acupuncture when practised by a fully qualified practitioner of Traditional Acupuncture. As a member of the British Acupuncture Council, the practitioner adhere to the following standards.
BAcC members have completed a first degree level training or equivalent in traditional acupuncture including substantial elements of western anatomy, physiology and pathology.
All work is carried out in accordance with exemplary professional standards developed by the British Acupuncture Council and detailed in the BAcC Code of Safe Practice and of Professional conduct.
Members have full medical malpractice and public product liability insurance cover
A member of the BAcC commits to undertake continuous professional development each year.
