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About Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an alternative medicine, that originated over 3000 years ago as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is the medicine of energy or Qi as it is known in TCM.
Treatment involves very fine, single-use, sterile needles, being inserted into the skin at specific acupuncture points.
This stimulates a natural healing response from the body, inducing deep relaxation and initiating the release of a mix of natural, biochemical pain killers, system regulators and immune boosters.
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According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) there are meridians that run all over the body.
Along these meridians Qi; an intelligent life force energy travels, regulating all bodily functions.
TCM believes that pain and disease, is a result of blockages or imbalances in these meridians.
Acupuncture and the other therapies offered, aim to regulate and re-balance this system allowing the body to heal itself.
From a western scientific perspective is is thought acupuncture works via the neurological and endocrine systems. Acupuncture initiates the action of various biochemicals that block pain receptors, calm the nervous system and promote self-healing.
Acupuncture activates our own in-built self-regulating healing mechanisms.
How can Acupuncture help me?
Acupuncture can help with a wide range of conditions. For a full A-Z list of conditions researched, visit the British Acupuncture Council website www.acupuncture.org.uk/about-acupuncture/acupuncture-research/ to find out more.
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Acupuncture can help with acute and chronic conditions.
It can offer immediate pain relief for some conditions, although for lasting effects and more complicated cases a course of treatment may be required.
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The NHS NICE guidelines currently recommend acupuncture for
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Chronic (long-term) pain
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Chronic tension-type headaches
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Migraines
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Joint pain
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Dental pain
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Postoperative pain
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Currently in clinic, the conditions I commonly see and treat successfully are:
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Low back//Hip pain
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Knee osteoarthritis
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Shoulder pain//frozen shoulder
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Sciatica
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Tennis//Golfers elbow
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Headaches//Migraines
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Insomnia//sleep disorders
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IBS//IBD
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Stress
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Anxiety//Depression
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General well-being
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You also do not need to have an ailment to come for acupuncture.
Acupuncture is an extremely relaxing self-care treatment that can provide the following benefits
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Activate the parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system
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Lower blood pressure
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Promote circulation
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Relax contracted muscles
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Improve sleep
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Encourage your body's natural self-healing system
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Regulate hormones
What to expect in an acupuncture treatment
During your first visit, an initial consultation will be completed to fully inform treatments going forward.
This will use a range of diagnostic methods including,
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Discussion about your reasons for seeking acupuncture and general health.
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Palpation of the affected area.
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Tongue and pulse diagnosis when appropriate.
Treatment will then be carried out, utilising acupuncture and, depending on the condition, massage, cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, or electro acupuncture.
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Needles will be inserted into chosen points on the body. There are over 350 Acupuncture points all over the front and back of the body, the ones chosen for your condition can be either local or close to the area of complaint, or distal, away from the area of complaint.
Normally between 5-15 needles will be used. Once the needles are in place they are left for 15-30 minutes depending on condition, you are invited to deeply relax during this time.
After the needles come out, people generally report feeling relaxed, sometimes tiredness can also be experienced.