Acupuncture forms part of Chinese Medicine which has existed for thousands of years. It is a complete system of medicine – whatever we would go to our GP’s for, in the East they would go to their Chinese Medicine Practitioner.
Chinese Medicine has a completely different way of looking at the body and health. One of its principles is that our health is dependent on the state of our Qi (vital energy). When this is flowing evenly and smoothly through the body, we feel physically strong, mentally stable and our spirit is calm. If Qi becomes blocked, weak or imbalanced then illness, pain and difficult emotional states can develop.
Acupuncture can be effective for many different acute and chronic conditions. It can be used alongside conventional treatment and there is a growing body of evidence based research showing that acupuncture can treat a wide range of common health problems. It is suitable for all ages.
What does it look like
Treatment involves the insertion of very fine needles (nothing like a syringe needle!) into specific points on the body to promote the flow of the qi to restore balance and vitality. Needles may be left in for 20 minutes, or be applied just in and out. Generally people feel very relaxed with the needles in and often fall asleep. Treatment might also involve the use of cupping, moxa (a way of warming the points) and gua sha massage.
Treatment
The first session is 90minutes. Sarah takes a long case history about all aspects of health. This helps to build a picture of not only the symptoms but the possible root cause. Hence 10 people with the same condition might all have a different treatment plan.
Treatment is both about alleviating symptoms and addressing the constitutional factors that may have caused them. Hence treatment can affect every aspect of health, not just the presenting symptom. Follow up treatments are 45 to 60 minutes.
