- Can acupuncture help me?
Acupuncture is recommended for a broad range of conditions from specific ailments to general feelings of ill health and low energy.
- Who can have acupuncture?
Acupuncture is suitable for all ages including babies, children and the elderly.
- Can children and adolescents have acupuncture?
Yes. Children and adolescents usually respond very well to acupuncture. Many acupuncturists specialise in paediatric care.
- How many sessions will I need?
That depends on your individual condition. At first your acupuncturist will normally ask to see you once or twice a week. You may start to feel benefits after the first or second treatment although long-standing and chronic conditions usually need more time to improve. Once your health has stabilised you may need top-up treatments every few weeks. Traditional acupuncture is also very effective when used as preventative healthcare and many people like to go for a ‘retuning’ session at the change of each season throughout the year.
- What does acupuncture feel like?
Most people find acupuncture to be very relaxing. Patients often describe the needle sensation as a tingling or dull ache.
- I have a phobia of needles. What should I do?
Acupuncture needles are very much finer than the needles used for injections and blood tests. You may not even feel them penetrate the skin and once in place they are hardly noticeable.
- How should I prepare for an acupuncture treatment?
Try not to have a large meal within an hour of your appointment as the process of digestion will alter the pattern of your pulse, and you may need to lie on your stomach. You should also avoid alcohol and food or drink that colours your tongue such as coffee or strong tea. It is a good idea to wear loose-fitting clothes so that the acupuncture points, especially those on your lower limbs, are easily accessible.
- And after the treatment?
You are likely to feel relaxed and calm. If the treatment has been particularly strong you may feel tired or drowsy and it is worth bearing this in mind if you plan to drive or use any other machinery soon afterwards.
- Are there any side effects?
Acupuncture has virtually no unpleasant side effects. Any that do occur are mild and self-correcting. Occasionally there may be minor bruising at the needle point or a short-term flare-up of your symptoms.
