Acupuncture is an ancient system of medicine that can be traced back nearly 2000 years. Today it is a safe and effective practice that can be used alongside conventional medicine, or as an alternative. It can help with specific problems or conditions or can be used to maintain good health and wellbeing. 

As treatment is focused on the whole person rather than specific symptoms, a diagnosis is made by careful questioning and observation. Questioning is aimed at obtaining a detailed picture of how a person’s body is functioning in order to diagnose the nature of the disharmony. This involves exploring many aspects of a person’s life including their full medical history, eating and sleeping patterns, emotional well-being and lifestyle. Feeling the pulse and looking at the tongue are also important for the diagnosis. Once this information has been obtained a treatment plan can be formulated for that patient. Each patient’s treatment plan will be different.

Chinese medicine is based on the philosophy that our health is dependent upon the flow of energy or ‘Qi’ (pronounced ‘chi’). Qi  is responsible for controlling and regulating the workings of our organs and organ pathways (‘meridians’). An imbalance in the flow of Qi causes illness. There may be many reasons for this imbalance: physical and emotional stress, poor nutrition, infection or injury are among the most common.

The overall aim of acupuncture treatment is to restore the body’s equilibrium. This is done by the insertion of ultra-fine sterile needles into specific acupuncture points. By doing this, the acupuncturist seeks to re-establish the free flow of Qi to restore balance and trigger the body’s natural healing response.

During treatment, sterile, disposable, stainless steel needles are inserted into acupuncture points. The needles are so fine that there is usually little or no discomfort upon insertion. Once inserted, the sensation is often described as a tingling or dull ache. The needles are either withdrawn immediately or left in for up to 20 minutes depending upon the effect required. Patients often experience a feeling of relaxation during the treatment. Occasionally, there is the application of warmth to the points using a herb called Moxabustion.

The British Acupuncture Council has information on acupuncture’s effectiveness to treat numerous conditions including, headaches, arthritis, back pain and gynaelogical conditions.