Acupuncture
WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture is an ancient system of medicine. The earliest books on the subject were written over 2000 years ago and today there are over 3million practitioners worldwide.
Acupuncture began with the discovery that stimulating the skin over certain areas affected the functioning of specific organs. This evolved into a system of healing, which progressed further as the correlation between the skin, and organs became better understood. Over time more sensitive ways of stimulating these areas were developed, and the system of Acupuncture which we know today became apparent.
WHAT CAN ACUPUNCTURE HELP?
Acupuncture is effective in treating a variety of conditions, due to its power to stimulate our own immune systems and evoke a healing response.
Many people have Acupuncture treatment for help with a specific symptom or complaint. Examples of conditions commonly treated using Acupuncture include;
Anxiety, arthritis, asthma, back pain or weakness, circulatory problems, depression, facial paralysis, fibrositis, headaches, high blood pressure, infertility, menopausal symptoms, menstrual problems, ME, migraines, psychological disorders, rheumatism, sciatica, skin conditions, tiredness, ulcers, urinary problems and many more.
The beauty of Acupuncture however, is its ability to do more than simply relieve symptoms. Diagnosis and treatment is focussed on the person and their constitution as well as their symptoms. As a result, the patient should feel better in a general way. The comment “I feel better in myself” is frequently reported as energy levels increase, leading to greater vitality, better enjoyment of life, more confidence, deeper sleep and a more natural appetite.
This focus of treatment that addresses the person rather than the disease is appropriate when a patient feels ‘out of sorts’, or unwell but does not have a recognised complaint, physical or otherwise. When this is the case, medical checks may prove inconclusive and the patient is told there is nothing wrong, or ‘it is in the mind’. Acupuncture treatment can address these problems very effectively, as it can treat a gradual decline in energy, which often occurs before any actual symptoms appear.
Acupuncture is also a helpful preventative treatment, where it can be used to maintain health and vitality. Patients who have received Acupuncture often return every few months for a ‘top - up treatment’ to maintain a feeling of well being and youthful vigour.
This overall therapeutic effect of Acupuncture is one of its great strengths.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I COME TO HAVE ACUPUNCTURE?
A person’s energy and vitality are distributed through 12 energy ‘pathways’ called meridians. Each pathway is associated with an organ in the body and any combination of symptoms that may be present. When carrying out a diagnosis, the practitioner will be looking for the pattern of symptoms, coupled with the patient’s constitutional type to arrive at a treatment plan tailored to suit that particular problem.
The patient’s emotional state, physical condition, the ways in which the body is functioning, heat/cold distribution, state of the pulse & tongue are among some of the many areas which lead to a diagnosis for Acupuncture treatment.
Details of treatment to date, prescribed medication, medical and family history are all taken into consideration.
This diagnosis is thorough and can take between 1 - 2 hours.
The treatment then aims to re-balance the energy flowing through those pathways. This is done by inserting fine, stainless steel needles into acupuncture points, to either stimulate or regulate the flow of energy along a particular ‘meridian’. Warmth may also be applied to a point, either directly onto the skin or onto a needle already placed in an Acupuncture point. This heat usually comes from a slowly smouldering herb called ‘moxa’, which gives off a very dry, penetrating warmth that is very soothing and much enjoyed by most patients.
As the energy balance in the body improves, so symptoms start to subside and health is restored.
Depending on the patient’s response to each treatment, further treatment plans are adjusted accordingly.
These treatment sessions usually last between 30 - 45 minutes and are usually spaced at weekly intervals, to allow the body time to adjust to each change brought about by the treatment. As health starts to improve, so the treatments are gradually spaced out to 2 to 3 weeks until occasional ‘top - up’ treatments are all that is required. These can be pre-arranged or booked when the patient feels a treatment is due.
Anyone not sure about whether acupuncture is the right treatment for them can arrange to come in for an informal chat to see whether it can help. This usually takes about 15 minutes.
DOES ACUPUNCTURE HURT?
Some people would like to try acupuncture but do not because they assume it will be painful. In fact, as the needles are much finer and have a different structure than needles used for injection the sensation is very different. A slight prick is felt as the needle goes into the skin and a feeling usually described as a ‘dull ache’ is then felt when the needle reaches the acupuncture point. This sensation is not usually painful or unpleasant and people who are afraid of needles and injections who come for Acupuncture often report that they are ‘still afraid of injections, but not Acupuncture needles’! If a patient has a troublesome fear of needles and cannot face having the conventional treatment, the acupuncture points can be treated using adhesive pads over the points which receive a mild stimulating current. This treatment, while more subtle than traditional acupuncture using needles, is still effective and very relaxing.
THE PRACTITIONER
Vicky Irwin trained at the Traditional College of Chinese Medicine in Leamington Spa in 1991. Here the 3-year training involved a comprehensive understanding of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture and exhaustive in-clinic training to achieve Clinical Competence. Graduates also have an understanding of Western Medical Science to the standard where problems requiring attention by a doctor are recognised and advice given.
Vicky is a full member of the British Acupuncture Council, and as such is bound by a strict Code of Ethics. Members are also bound by a Code of Hygiene, which has been developed under the guidance of the DHSS Public Health Laboratory, where all forms of infectious diseases have been considered.
Acupuncture - an ancient therapy that aims to bring back the vitality of youth.
£50.00 (reduced rates for a course of treatments)
Very fine needles are inserted into specific points on the body to re-balance your system and return you to a natural, healthy and vibrant state. Acupuncture is a gentle, relaxing therapy that has been used for thousands of years for thousands of symptoms. A ‘needle free’ form of electro-acupuncture is also available.
Facial Enhancement Acupuncture.
£60 (reduced rates for a course of treatments)
A gentle therapy using ultra-fine needles that aim to create a more vibrant looking complexion. It can stimulate and lift the underlying facial muscles and begin to reduce lines, dark patches and bags under the eyes. It is also a great therapy to address the nasal-labial fold (the crease that runs from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth). A course of treatments is recommended for optimum results, but individual ‘taster’ treatments are available
