What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a key part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with roots going back over 2,000 years. Originating in China, it involves inserting very fine needles into specific points on the body to support natural healing, restore balance, and promote overall wellbeing. It is used in many NHS GP surgeries, pain clinics and hospices and it is recommended by NICE to be used for certain conditions. Today, acupuncture is used worldwide to help with a wide range of physical and emotional conditions.

These include but are not limited to:

• Back pain

• Fertility

• Women’s health

• Headaches

• Poor sleep

• Digestive issues

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Asthma

What is the evidence?

Listed are some of many PubMed articles on some of the conditions acupuncture can help treat:

• Sciatica : https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9948020/

• Post stroke : https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10447897/

• Asthma : https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11144428/

• Insomnia : https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11847884/

• Fertility: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30337989/

The British Acupuncture Council is a great resource for information:

https://acupuncture.org.uk/about-acupuncture/acupuncture-research/

How do I prepare for my treatment?

Clothing: for your own comfort, it is ideal to wear loose fitting clothing to your appointment, sometimes access to your legs, torso and back will be required with your permission.

Before the appointment: please have a light meal before your treatment, and keep caffeine to a minimum.

Post treatment: vigorous exercise is not advised as your body will still be feeling the benefits from acupuncture and ideally letting your body do its magic is preferred. Walking, light yoga or stretching exercises are ok. Keep hydrated and take it easy.

If you have had a cupping treatment or gua sha, extreme heat or cold is not advised for 24 hours after, luke warm showers are ok.

What can I expect?

In your first consultation we will go through a range of questions and look at different aspects of your lifestyle, acupuncture is holistic, so we want to know about anything ranging from your appetite, aches and pains, to sleep hygiene and everything in between. A treatment will be included in your first consultation. The first initial appointment is usually around 70mins but for ongoing appointments please allow 60mins

Does it hurt?

The needles are ultra fine, like a strand of hair, not like hypodermic needles that you would have with a blood test as an example. So, they do not hurt, very few people even feel the needles, but what you are most likely to feel is the pressure of the guide tube and the feeling of getting the ‘Qi’. Once the needles are in, you can sit/lay back, relax and fully immerse yourself in this in incredible medicine.

Are there any side effects?

Research backs the safety of acupuncture, the side effects, if any, are usually minimal. This is uncommon but sometimes mild bruising can occur at the needle site. with cupping and gua sha sometimes temporary marks can be left, but we can discuss this at your appointment. Tiredness can also be deemed as a side effect for some, but this usually means that a good night sleep is on its way!

How many treatments will I need?

Everybody is different, so the frequency of treatments will be tailored to your specific needs. In the initial consultation we can come up with a plan on how best to support you and this will include on how many treatments may be required.

Do you have any more questions? Please get in touch!