What is Traditional Acupuncture?

Traditional Acupuncture (originated over 3,000 years ago) enables the body/mind/spirit to heal itself, as far as nature will allow. Any illness or symptom is associated with an imbalance of the person’s vital life energy or Qi (pronounced ‘chee’). Symptoms indicate an imbalance of Qi, which must be rebalanced to restore health. Treatment is tailored to the individual, ensuring the underlying cause of the symptom is treated (as opposed to the symptom alone), and conducted by inserting very fine stainless steel needles into acupuncture points.

As well as dealing with your condition by restoring the overall balance of energy, traditional acupuncture may help with an increased sense of well-being.

Who Comes for Treatment?

A wide variety of people come for treatment, ranging from children to the elderly. Young children may be treated with acupressure instead of needles.

What can acupuncture be used for?

Acupuncture can help with a wide range of conditions, including:

• Anxiety, stress and depression

• high blood pressure

• circulation problems

• digestive and bowel disorders

• respiratory disorders including asthma

• skin conditions

• migraine and headaches

• back pain, arthritis, rheumatism, sciatica

• general aches and pains

• menstrual problems

Also, traditional acupuncture may be beneficial where people feel unwell without being ‘ill’ in the Western sense. It can also be used as a preventative treatment, aimed at maintaining health on all levels of body/mind/spirit.

With some conditions, Western medical treatment should be the first choice, or should be used in conjunction with acupuncture. Dawn will be able to advise you.

Acupuncture to stop smoking or lose weight

Traditional acupuncture is concerned with treating people as a whole. Treatment to stop someone from smoking or to lose weight quickly would be a temporary measure. The goal of traditional acupuncture is to determine the cause of the symptom and treat it at its source. Therefore, these conditions are regarded as symptoms of an overall health problem and would be treated accordingly. Anyone seeking acupuncture treatment for these conditions would have to be committed to the goal of improving their overall health.

How Long Does it Take?

The initial consultation takes around two hours and is very important, and considers your medical and family history, lifestyle, systems functions (e.g. sleep, appetite), and your present condition. This information is essential in determining your individual treatment.

Pulses, located in the wrist, are taken and give the acupuncturist information about the state and flow of Qi throughout your body.

Moxibustion, the application of warmth by burning a herb – called moxa – over the acupuncture point, may also be used on its own or in combination with acupuncture needles.

Dawn may also make specific recommendations regarding your lifestyle in order to help treatment. Suggested changes such as improvements to diet or taking exercise are made individually, depending on your circumstances and response to treatment.

How Many Treatments Will I need?

Most people will need treatment (which takes approximately one hour) once or twice during the first week and then once a week thereafter until some improvement has been maintained. The treatments are gradually spaced further apart until there is only a need for a check-up at the change of each season. Some people will need extensive treatment whereas others will need only a few treatments.

What is the response to treatment?

Every individual is unique, so the response to treatment varies from person to person. Often the initial improvements are in the overall state of health and then improvement in the main complaint will follow. Some people feel revitalised mentally or physically after treatment whilst with others the changes are more subtle and noticed in retrospect.

How much does the treatment cost?

Initial Consultation and Diagnosis - £60

Subsequent Treatments - £38 per session

Fees for Children

Initial Consultation and Diagnosis - £30

Subsequent Treatments - £19 per session

Facial Revitalisation Acupuncture

Initial Consultation and Diagnosis - £85

Subsequent Treatments - £70 per session

Can I claim the cost of my treatment back through my health insurance policy?

I have several patients who are frequently entitled to claim back the cost of their acupuncture treatment. You should always check your policy with your health insurer prior to the commencement of treatment.