What happens during the first acupuncture treatment?
To ensure that your treatment can give you the best possible results, you will have an initial diagnosis. The diagnosis provides an understanding of your unique physical profile and lifestyle, including: your current symptoms, family health history, diet, digestive symptoms, appetite, sleep patterns and emotional state.
As a guide to your overall health I will take your pulse, examine your tongue and feel for areas of muscular tension or pain. These diagnostic techniques provide important information throughout your treatment.
Your first diagnosis will last up to two hours. The diagnosis forms the basis from which I carry out subsequent treatments which may take between forty-five minutes to one hour.
What happens after the diagnosis?
Following your diagnosis, I will develop a personalised treatment plan which may include lifestyle and nutritional advice.
It is helpful to wear loose and comfortable clothing for follow up treatments and patients need to be aware that I may need to access points on their torso as well as their arms and legs. Patient comfort and privacy is always respected.
How many treatments will I need?
You are unique, and there is no "one size fits all" because no two complaints are identical. Treatment frequency will depend on your indivdual condition; you may generally feel an improvement within five or six treatments. Some patients need treatment over several months; others will come back monthly or at the change of the season to maintain their health.
Should my doctor know?
Acupuncture is complementary to conventional medicine. If you have been prescribed medication, it makes sense to let your doctor know that you are planning to have acupuncture. Bring a list of any medication you are taking so that this can be considered in your treatment plan. In certain circumstances, acupuncture may allow you to reduce or even cease taking some medications, but please discuss this with your doctor.
Does it hurt?
Acupuncturists are commonly asked this question, but the needles are much finer than those used for injections. A slight sensation is felt as the needle goes through the skin, often described as a tingling sensation or a dull ache, which lasts for one or two seconds. Due to the energy pathways covering the whole of the body, areas that are not painful may be treated to help give you relief: for example, if you suffer from headaches needles might be inserted in your foot or hand.
The needles are always single-use, sterile and disposable.
After effects
Many people find acupuncture relaxing and often feel quite calm after a treatment. You may feel tired or sleepy and so should take this into account if driving or operating machinery. Acupuncture has few side effects and any that do occur are usually mild and self-correcting. Some techniques that may be used such as cupping and guasha can sometimes temporarily mark the skin. This mild bruising is painless and generally clears within a day or two.
Other Techniques
I may also supplement needle treatment with other Chinese medicine techniques. For more information please click here.
