What is acupuncture?
The underlying philosophy of acupuncture is that your body’s organs use energy which flows through pathways to communicate. When communication breaks down or energy becomes “stuck” or “blocked”, illness happens.Very fine sterile disposable needles are used to redirect the flow of energy in the pathways to ensure that balance within the body is restored.
Treating the root cause
I practice Five Element Acupuncture, the aim of it is to identify and treat the root cause of your condition by viewing you as a whole person. Working at this level it is possible to establish the underlying cause of illness, rather than simply treating your presenting symptoms. Treatments are tailored to your specific individual needs and the treatment plan is based on the diagnosis I make from the initial consultation which involves taking your pulses and understanding your diet and lifestyle.
How can acupuncture help me?
In addition to treating your main complaint, most people experience many of the following benefits from having treatment;
- Increased energy levels, vitality and wellbeing
- Feelings of being positive, calm and relaxed
- Able to cope better with stress
- Healthier skin and nails
- Improved sleep
- Mental alertness and clarity
- Strengthened immunity to colds and infection
- Improved libido and fertility
In my practice, I have found acupuncture to be particularly helpful in cases such as male and female fertility, pregnancy, labour induction and preparation, sickness, stress, high blood pressure, gout, any muscular pain, back pain, sciatica, skin problems, pregnancy, IVF support, psoriasis, lung and sinus problems, allergies, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, digestive problems, stress, headaches, migraines, depression and other emotional problems.
What happens during an Acupuncture session?
The initial consultation lasts up to an hour and fifteen minutes, subsequent treatments last 45 minutes to an hour. During treatment, very fine (size of a hair) sterile disposable needles are used to rebalance energy. Most people experience a sense of calm and relaxation during treatment and benefit is usually felt within four or five treatments.
Many people fear needles but there are other tools to help re-balance energy. As well as treating a wide range of conditions, these techniques also act as preventative medicine. You can read more about them below.
Moxibustion
Involves the burning of a Chinese herb, Mugwort or Artemisia Vulgaris over acupuncture points or affected parts of the body. This is a deeply nourishing treatment helping to strengthen blood and the circulation of energy. Main uses are for pain relief in sports injuries, muscles and joints, as heat can bring instant relief e.g. arthritis, tendonitis. It also eases menstrual cramps, infertility, turns breech babies and is used for “mother roasting”.
Cupping
You may have seen Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and other celebrities like Callum Best and Jenifer Aniston sporting cupping marks. It is a very ancient art and focuses on moving “congestion” such as stagnant blood, energy and lymphatic fluid. Stagnation is often a result of injury or stress causes energy blockages, which can manifest as pain and poor wellbeing.
Glass or plastic cups are placed on the area affected to create a vacuum. This “suction effect” naturally stimulates the movement of blood promoting circulation, enhancing metabolism and draining toxins by activating the lymphatic and immune systems. It can be used to help:
- Deep tissue massage & joint relief
- Coughs and colds
- Rheumatic diseases such as arthritis and fibromyalgia
- Fertility and gynaecological disorders
- Skin problems such as eczema and acne
- Anxiety and depression
- Bronchial congestion caused by allergies and asthma
- Varicose veins
Gua Sha
A technique used to move stagnant blood and stimulate the movement of energy to eliminate toxins from the body. The technique involves applying friction to the affected area, similar to “scraping” with a round-edged instrument (like a soup spoon) in repeated even strokes. This is a gentle technique that many find relaxing. It can help any type of muscular pain and stiffness e.g. frozen shoulder, back, sciatica, headaches, migraines and skin conditions.
Auricular
The art of Auricular Acupuncture is where acupuncture points on the outer ears are treated using needles or magnets to relieve ailments. I mostly use magnets as these are non-invasive. The ears represent the whole human body and acupuncture points relate to a specific part of the body; the heart, liver, lungs, nose, eyes, shoulders, knees and so forth. I have found it to be very effective for people with addictions such as drug, alcohol or tobacco. It also treats anxiety, stress, depression, weight management and pain management.
Cosmetic Acupuncture
It is an ancient therapy dating over 2000 years in which the Chinese recognised that beauty comes from “within”. They discovered ways to naturally change the flow of energy within the body to initiate the process of looking and feeling youthful. It offers a natural alternative to invasive cosmetic surgery and injections and works on combating the signs of aging, improving skin condition and enhancing overall wellbeing.
Nutrition
Chinese medicine classifies food according to its energetic properties, for example, some foods are viewed as warming and nourishing while others are seen as cooling and eliminating. Some foods are useful for building blood whilst others nourish and build energy. For example, dates and almonds are very good tonics for boosting energy. The key is to eat nourishing healthy food to suit your individual constitution. Nutrition therapy can help to increase energy, wellbeing, weight and craving management, improve immunity and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.
