Benefits of acupuncture: what it can treat and how it feels
These conditions are widely recognised as responding well to acupuncture. It may also help many other conditions so please contact me to find out more.
| accident-related pain | anxiety | appetite problems |
| arthritis | backache | bladder dysfunction |
| breech babies | frozen shoulder | bloating |
| breathing difficulties | chronic fatigue (ME) | constipation |
| depression | diarrhoea | dizziness |
| fertility issues | headaches | heartburn |
| hot flushes | IBS | indigestion |
| IVF support | hayfever | insomnia |
| joint pain | leg cramps | low energy and tiredness |
| menopausal symptoms | menstrual problems | migraine |
| morning sickness | osteoarthritis | chronic pain |
| panic attacks | palpitations | pregnancy support |
| sciatica | acute sinusitis | stomach disorders |
| stress | tennis elbow | weight loss |
| whiplash |
The Journal of Chinese Medicine publishes information about research relating to symptoms and acupuncture.
What happens during treatment
An initial consultation and short treatment lasts an hour. I will ask about your health (physical, emotional and possibly spiritual) and medical history. If you are seeking treatment for a physical and muscular injury I may conduct a a brief physical examination. I will look at your tongue and take your pulse.
You will have the opportunity to ask questions and to decide whether you want treatment to go ahead. A short treatment can then be given.
During that time fine needles are inserted into the body. They are retained for about 10 minutes whilst you relax. The needles are then removed and the treatment is concluded. (This is shorter than subsequent sessions, where the needles will be left in for around 20 – 30 minutes.) This is to allow us to see how your body responds to the treatment.
Often I will recommend a course of treatment. The length of this course will depend on your condition and how your body responds. Subsequent treatments usually last 45 minutes.
You may have to undress, keeping underwear on, depending on which areas of your body are being treated. You will be left to undress in private and given towels to cover your body. I will remove towels during treatment only to gain access to one area of the body at a time.
You are welcome to bring someone into the treatment room with you.
Paying for your treatment
First consultations cost £45 and subsequent treatments are £35.
I accept payment by cash, cheque and credit / debit card.
If you are a member of a health cash plan such as Simplyhealth (formerly LHF or HSA) you can claim back some or all of the costs of treatment. As a member of the British Acupuncture Council (MBAcC) my qualifications are recognised by all of the major health cash plan providers.
Further reading
Here are a few excellent books on acupuncture which you may like to read.
- Relieving Pain with Acupressure
– An easy-to-read book showing which acupoints you can use to treat a variety of symptoms for yourself or family by using finger pressure.
- The Acupuncture Handbook: How Acupuncture Works and How It Can Help You
- The Chinese Way to Health: A Self-help Guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Practical Chinese Medicine: Understanding the Principles and Practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Making Them Work for You
- Chinese Medicine: The Web That Has No Weaver
- Acupressure: Simple Steps to Health – Discover Your Body’s Powerpoints for Health and Relaxation
Blood donors
The National Blood Service does not accept donations from people who have received acupuncture in the previous four months (other than treatment administered within the NHS). 