acupuncture
Acupuncture is the fastest growing complementary therapy with more than a million people in the UK being treated every year (Good Housekeeping magazine July 2013) but what is it most useful for?
Dr Richard Halvorsen, a London based GP, acupuncturist and author of the book Managing Pain says that "2 significant studies have found that it is effective for chronic back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, chronic headaches and shoulder pain". He goes on to say that "smokers who were treated were two and a half times more likely to stop than those who received other treatments".
But what is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture has existed as part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for over 5,000 years. It is based on the belief that living beings have a vital energy called "Qi", that circulates through twelve invisible energy lines known as meridians on the body. Each meridian is associated with a different organ system. An imbalance in the flow of Qi throughout a meridian is how disease (pain is thought of as a disease) begins.
Acupuncturists insert extremely fine needles (about the width of a human hair) into specified points along meridian lines to influence the restore balance to the flow of qi. There are over 1,000 acupuncture points on the body.
What can Acupuncture do for me?
In essence, the list is endless. More and more, acupuncture is being embraced by modern Western medicine and indeed, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)made a recommendation in 2009 that acupuncture should be available on the NHS for the management of early, persistent non-specific lower back pain.
You may wish to have acupuncture to help with a specific symptom or condition be it the aforementioned back pain, possibly for knee pain, neck pain, general muscle ache, migraine etc, etc however, many people also choose acupuncture in order to help maintain good health, improve their sense of wellbeing, or as a preventive measure. Our therapist is always happy to advise on any problems you may have, if and how she can help and will refer you to your GP should she consider this appropriate.
What will happen on my first visit?
Generally, your first visit is longer than your subsequent sessions or at the very least, it entails a consultation. The therapist needs to assess your general state of health in order to identify the underlying patterns of disharmony and give you the most effective treatment.
You will be asked about your current symptoms and various other questions e.g. what treatment you have received so far, your medical history and that of your close family, your diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and emotional state. Once enough information has been gathered to determine the likely causes of your problems, the practitioner can select the most appropriate treatment.
After the initial consultation (or on your follow-up visit), your practitioner will form a session plan and begin the acupuncture sessions based on your individual condition.
What does it feel like?
The needles used within acupuncture are both sterile and extremely thin, most people being surprised to see how thin the needles actually are. The sensation you will feel when a needle is inserted is generally fairly minimal. It is often described as a tingling or dull ache while in others the needle will be rotated slightly until you feel a heavy or distended feeling indicating the arrival of Qi. Needles may be inserted and immediately removed, or may be left in place and vibrated either manually or electronically depending on the effect required. During treatment, patients commonly experience a pleasant feeling of relaxation. The benefits of acupuncture frequently include more than just relief from a particular condition. Many people find that it can also lead to increased energy levels, as well as better appetite and sleep and an enhanced sense of overall well-being.
How long will the session last?
The session is usually about an hour long. After the needles are inserted you are usually left to rest for a period of around 30 minutes. Most people feel fairly relaxed during this period and many simply fall asleep.
In many cases your treatment may consist of points on the front and back of your body so the practitioner may insert needles on the front, let you rest for awhile and then remove them, have you turn over and continue the treatment on your back.
What should I do before treatment?
You should try not to have a large meal within an hour of your appointment as the process of digestion will alter the pattern of your pulse. You should also avoid alcohol and food or drinks which colour your tongue, such as coffee, immediately prior to treatment. It is helpful to wear loose, comfortable clothing for your treatment and you should be aware that your acupuncturist may need access to points on your torso as well as on your arms and legs so gentlemen, no "commando" please.
How will I feel after acupuncture?
You may feel rather relaxed and calm. If the treatment has been particularly strong you could feel quite tired or drowsy for a few hours and you should take this into account if you are planning to drive or use machinery. Be aware that occasionally there may be a short-term flair-up of your symptoms as your Qi clears and resettles itself.
What about the needles used?
Single-use pre-sterilised disposable needles are used which are disposed of immediately after use.
Is it safe?
There have been three surveys in the last six years which have shown that acupuncture is amongst the safest therapies in use in the UK today. Out of 68,000 recorded treatments in two of the 2001 surveys, there were only 14 minor (bruising, feeling nauseous) adverse events. Minor bleeding after removal of the needles, bruise and dizziness are among those adverse effects. There have been very few reports of serious adverse events and most adverse effects are transient, lasting no more than a day or so.
How many sessions will I need?
Your practitioner will review your progress with you from time to time, and carefully monitor your progress to ensure that it matches your needs.
Dr Richard Halvorsen, a London based GP, acupuncturist and author of the book Managing Pain says that "2 significant studies have found that it is effective for chronic back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, chronic headaches and shoulder pain". He goes on to say that "smokers who were treated were two and a half times more likely to stop than those who received other treatments".
But what is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture has existed as part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for over 5,000 years. It is based on the belief that living beings have a vital energy called "Qi", that circulates through twelve invisible energy lines known as meridians on the body. Each meridian is associated with a different organ system. An imbalance in the flow of Qi throughout a meridian is how disease (pain is thought of as a disease) begins.
Acupuncturists insert extremely fine needles (about the width of a human hair) into specified points along meridian lines to influence the restore balance to the flow of qi. There are over 1,000 acupuncture points on the body.
What can Acupuncture do for me?
In essence, the list is endless. More and more, acupuncture is being embraced by modern Western medicine and indeed, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)made a recommendation in 2009 that acupuncture should be available on the NHS for the management of early, persistent non-specific lower back pain.
You may wish to have acupuncture to help with a specific symptom or condition be it the aforementioned back pain, possibly for knee pain, neck pain, general muscle ache, migraine etc, etc however, many people also choose acupuncture in order to help maintain good health, improve their sense of wellbeing, or as a preventive measure. Our therapist is always happy to advise on any problems you may have, if and how she can help and will refer you to your GP should she consider this appropriate.
What will happen on my first visit?
Generally, your first visit is longer than your subsequent sessions or at the very least, it entails a consultation. The therapist needs to assess your general state of health in order to identify the underlying patterns of disharmony and give you the most effective treatment.
You will be asked about your current symptoms and various other questions e.g. what treatment you have received so far, your medical history and that of your close family, your diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and emotional state. Once enough information has been gathered to determine the likely causes of your problems, the practitioner can select the most appropriate treatment.
After the initial consultation (or on your follow-up visit), your practitioner will form a session plan and begin the acupuncture sessions based on your individual condition.
What does it feel like?
The needles used within acupuncture are both sterile and extremely thin, most people being surprised to see how thin the needles actually are. The sensation you will feel when a needle is inserted is generally fairly minimal. It is often described as a tingling or dull ache while in others the needle will be rotated slightly until you feel a heavy or distended feeling indicating the arrival of Qi. Needles may be inserted and immediately removed, or may be left in place and vibrated either manually or electronically depending on the effect required. During treatment, patients commonly experience a pleasant feeling of relaxation. The benefits of acupuncture frequently include more than just relief from a particular condition. Many people find that it can also lead to increased energy levels, as well as better appetite and sleep and an enhanced sense of overall well-being.
How long will the session last?
The session is usually about an hour long. After the needles are inserted you are usually left to rest for a period of around 30 minutes. Most people feel fairly relaxed during this period and many simply fall asleep.
In many cases your treatment may consist of points on the front and back of your body so the practitioner may insert needles on the front, let you rest for awhile and then remove them, have you turn over and continue the treatment on your back.
What should I do before treatment?
You should try not to have a large meal within an hour of your appointment as the process of digestion will alter the pattern of your pulse. You should also avoid alcohol and food or drinks which colour your tongue, such as coffee, immediately prior to treatment. It is helpful to wear loose, comfortable clothing for your treatment and you should be aware that your acupuncturist may need access to points on your torso as well as on your arms and legs so gentlemen, no "commando" please.
How will I feel after acupuncture?
You may feel rather relaxed and calm. If the treatment has been particularly strong you could feel quite tired or drowsy for a few hours and you should take this into account if you are planning to drive or use machinery. Be aware that occasionally there may be a short-term flair-up of your symptoms as your Qi clears and resettles itself.
What about the needles used?
Single-use pre-sterilised disposable needles are used which are disposed of immediately after use.
Is it safe?
There have been three surveys in the last six years which have shown that acupuncture is amongst the safest therapies in use in the UK today. Out of 68,000 recorded treatments in two of the 2001 surveys, there were only 14 minor (bruising, feeling nauseous) adverse events. Minor bleeding after removal of the needles, bruise and dizziness are among those adverse effects. There have been very few reports of serious adverse events and most adverse effects are transient, lasting no more than a day or so.
How many sessions will I need?
Your practitioner will review your progress with you from time to time, and carefully monitor your progress to ensure that it matches your needs.