Treatment

Treatments are usually conducted on a weekly basis. I will examine your tongue and pulses and ask about your symptoms each time you come for treatment. The needles used are very fine and are nothing like those used for injections. There may be a dull ache or tingling when the point is reached. Depending on your diagnosis, warmth may also be applied to the points. Some needles are retained for up to twenty minutes, while others are inserted and then immediately removed. I will check your pulses during the treatment to assess the action of the needles and will stay with you throughout your treatment.

Diagnosis

Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine are well known for their subtle diagnostic skills. They are able to detect problems and imbalances very early, often well before Western medicine is able to diagnoses an ‘illness’.

A good acupuncturist will spend a long time on diagnosis. Consequently the first consultation takes longer than subsequent treatments. Diagnosis is based on detailed questioning about the condition, as well as other aspects of health such as sleeping patterns, energy, bowels, diet and exercise. Diagnosis is also based on an inspection of the tongue, which can reveal information about the organs and the inside of the body. Feeling the pulses is a key aspect of diagnosis and in Chinese medicine the pulses are felt on both arms.

After the first consultation I will make a personalised diagnosis based on the information you give me. This will form the basis for subsequent treatments tailored specifically to your condition.

How much treatment will I need?

Traditional acupuncture aims to treat the cause of your condition, not just the symptoms, in order to bring about a more permanent resolution. The frequency and length of treatment will vary according to your condition and your individual response to treatment. You should start noticing benefits after 4-6 treatments although occasionally only one or two treatments are necessary. Some patients may require treatment over several months. Much depends on your age, general vitality and whether you follow the advice you may have been given (for example on diet). A general rule of thumb is that for every year of the illness, one month of treatment is required. At first you will normally need treatment once (sometimes twice) a week, but treatments can be spread out as health improves.