Frequently asked questions
- Are there different kinds of acupuncture?
- Yes. The most important distinction to make is between Traditional acupuncture and western medical acupuncture.
Western medical acupuncture is practiced mostly by physiotherapists and GP’s and is a limited form of Traditional acupuncture which does not utilise any of the traditional Chinese theory. Western medical practitioners train in short courses in acupuncture and learn to focus on treating almost solely muscular skeletal problems.
Traditional Acupuncturists train over much greater lengths of time and learn to diagnose holistically using acupuncture to treat a much wider range of problems , and more importantly to treat the person as well as the complaint.
Within traditional acupuncture there are two common styles of practice, TCM and Five element acupuncture. I trained at an integrated college learning both.
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- What does Acupuncture feel like?
- Acupuncture needles are tapped into the body through a thin plastic tube which allows the needle to penetrate the skin quickly without sensation. Once the needle is inserted it is gently manipulated to elicit a sensation that most patients describe as a mild aching or a dull, heavy, spreading feeling. This feeling is an indication that the needle is engaging with the acupuncture point and creating change. Sometimes needles are inserted and immediately withdrawn, and sometimes they are retained for approximately 20 minutes. If the needles are retained for the duration of the treatment most patients are unaware that they are inserted, and can lie comfortably and relax.
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- How will I feel after the treatment?
- Most patients feel noticeably relaxed after treatment. This sense is often more pronounced after the first treatment and it is quite common to feel slightly sleepy. Conversely, some patients notice the opposite and feel more energised and awake after their treatment. Either way it is a good idea to have some quiet time after treatment, and if patients have driven to the clinic they are advised to relax in the reception area or go for a short walk to orientate themselves before driving home.
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- Will I need to undress?
- The most commonly used points are between the elbow and the wrist, and the knee and the ankle, so often patients can simply roll their trousers or sleeves up. When points elsewhere are used patients are always given a gown to change into and remain covered up and comfortable throughout.
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- How much treatment will I need?
- This depends greatly upon the patient and the condition for which they are seeking treatment to resolve. There are some conditions which necessitate more treatment than others, (Infertility for example requires more treatment than a sprained ankle) however most patients are advised to plan for an initial course of six once weekly treatments with a mutual review at the end of the 6. This is a good block of treatment to give you a sense of what you can expect from treatment, and it allows me to give you a prognosis. I would expect patients to notice considerable changes from the period between their initial consultation and their 6th treatment, with changes beginning after the first – second treatment. In very acute or painful conditions it may be necessary to increase the frequency of treatment from once a week.
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- Is acupuncture safe?
- Acupuncture provided by a fully trained practitioner using proper procedure is one of the safest medical treatments available. Two surveys conducted independently in the British Medical Journal in 2001 concluded that the risk of a serious adverse reaction to acupuncture is less than 1 in 10,000. Each needle is individually wrapped in sterile packaging and is used only once and then disposed of to ensure the highest levels of hygiene and safety.
Traditional acupuncturists are regulated in the UK by The British Acupuncture Council, of which I am a member. The British Acupuncture Council ensures the highest standards of training and ongoing development.
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- How does Acupuncture work and is there evidence?
- Acupuncture is thought to work in part through its action on the nervous system and its capacity to promote the production of naturally occurring hormones. Studies indicate that the stimulation of the body with acupuncture increases the levels of endogenous opioids which increase our sense of well being and reduce our experience of pain. Brain imaging techniques also show that certain portions of the brain important in the perception of pain are inhibited immediately after acupuncture treatment, and acupuncture has also been found to induce both vasoconstriction and vasodilation thereby influencing blood flow and inflammation. Some of these mechanisms give a partial explanation of how acupuncture works but from a conventional medical point of view it is still not fully understood.
The Acupuncture Research Resource Centre (ARRC) was set up by the British Acupuncture Council to collect and improve the evidence base for Traditional Acupuncture and to develop and apply research methods suitable for investigating it. A link to them and the British Acupuncture Council can be found here.
In 2003 the World Health Organization published a report listing a series of conditions, symptoms and diseases for which acupuncture has been demonstrated an effective treatment:
- Acute bacillary dysentery
- Adverse reactions to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy
- Allergic rhinitis
- Biliary colic
- Depression
- Essential hypertension
- Headache
- Induction of childbirth and correction of the malposition of foetus
- Inflammation of the tissues surrounding the shoulder
- Leukopenia
- Nausea and vomiting including morning sickness
- Pain in the epigastrium, face, neck, tennis elbow, lower back, knee, during dentistry and after operations
- Primary dysmenorrhea
- Primary hypotension
- Renal colic
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sciatica
- Sprains
- Strokes
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- How much does treatment cost?
- The initial 1.5 hour consultation (which includes the first treatment) is charged at £60. Each 45 minute treatment thereafter is charged at £40.
- Can I claim treatment back on my health insurance?
- Many insurance policies do cover treatment with a Traditional Acupuncturist but different companies vary in their policies and criteria. It is best to check with your insurer first before commencing treatment if you are intending on claiming the money back.
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- What’s your background?
- I began my studies in Chinese medicine in 1998 and initially trained as a Shiatsu practitioner. Shiatsu is a style of Japanese bodywork/massage based on Chinese medical theory. From there I went on to complete a diploma in Tui-na (Chinese medical massage) at the University of Westminster before going on to complete my degree in Acupuncture at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine in Reading.
I now operate acupuncture practices from Berkhamsted and Milton Keynes.
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