What's Involved?

Treating the cause, not just the symptoms

As a Five Element acupuncturist, I will identify the cause of any problem and then provide treatment to remove that cause and support any inherent weakness. The style involves a very gentle needling technique and lots of patient-practitioner interaction so you'll know exactly what I'm doing throughout the session.

At your initial session, I will find out more about the problem itself, your medical and family history, lifestyle and how your body operates on a daily basis. This helps with diagnosis and highlights any other areas which may need help to give profound improvements throughout.

Traditional acupuncture uses very fine (about the width of a hair) stainless steel needles which produce a slight sensation but are painless. Moxa is a therapeutic herb which is warmed over specific points to provide a soothing heat. I may also use cupping therapy which uses mild suction to relax muscle tension. Because traditional acupuncture is about treating you as a whole, I may provide lifestyle and dietary advice in order to increase the speed of recovery.

We all respond differently to treatment. Immediately afterwards, you will often feel tired but relaxed, and then revitalised mentally and physically. Treatment is usually required weekly for the first month and then the frequency will be reduced in line with the improvements made - the goal of acupuncture is to help the body to help itself so treatment will be diminished as soon as possible. Patients will then either not need it at all or will choose to use it occasionally as a preventative measure.