What is Traditional Acupuncture?
Traditional acupuncture is a healthcare system based on ancient principles which go back nearly two thousand years. It looks at pain and illness as signs that the body is out of balance. The overall aim of acupuncture treatment is to restore the body’s equilibrium.
What makes this system so uniquely suited to modern life is that physical, emotional and mental are seen as interdependent, and reflect what many people perceive as the connection between the different aspects their lives.
Based on traditional belief, acupuncturists are trained to use subtle diagnostic techniques that have been developed and refined for centuries. The focus is on the individual, not their illness, and all the symptoms are seen in relation to each other. Each patient is unique; two people with the same western diagnosis may well receive different acupuncture treatments.
How does it work?
Traditional Acupuncturists believe that the underlying principle of treatment is that illness and pain occur when the body’s qi, or vital energy, cannot flow freely. There can be many reasons for this; emotional and physical stress, poor nutrition, infection or injury are among the most common. By inserting ultra-fine sterile needles into specific acupuncture points, a Traditional Acupuncturist seeks to re-establish the free flow of qi to restore balance and trigger the body’s natural healing response.
There has been much recent, robust scientific evidence which provides an explanation as to how Acupuncture actually works using western, scientific terminology.
When an acupuncture needle is inserted into the skin it impacts the body in 3 main ways:-
Acupuncture stimulates peripheral nerves triggering a cascade that causes changes in the brain and internal organs. LEARN MORE >
Acupuncture stimulates the body to produce it’s own natural pain killers. It also stimulates the release of molecules associated with tissue healing and disease resolution. LEARN MORE >
The Acupuncture needle stretches and degranulates the fascia (connective tissue) easing constriction which may be causing painful trigger points, stagnation and pain. LEARN MORE >
How much does treatment cost?
Traditional acupuncture costs £37 per treatment or can be booked at a discounted rate of £189 for a course of six treatments, paid in advance.
I currently offer a 10% discount to all NHS workers, Senior Citizens and full-time students that present a valid card before treatment. Please contact me should you have any questions or queries regarding any concessions.
Conditions Treated Include
There are 100,000 GP Consultations every day in the UK regarding Muscular Skeletal problems. Back and joint pain being the most common complaints. Studies have shown that acupuncture helps alleviate chronic pain and it comes without the side effects of more common treatments like surgery and prescription medications.
Acupuncture is widely recognised as an effective treatment for many digestive disorders including nausea, vomiting, heartburn and stomach pain. Research also show’s that it can be effective for treating chronic constipation, diarrhoea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Crohn’s disease.
Headaches & Migraines
Headaches are one of the most common complaints in clinical practise, affecting about 80% of the UK. Recent research show’s that Acupuncture helps reduce the frequency of migraines in chronic sufferers. It has been proven to be significantly better than no treatment/basic care for managing migraine, and appears to be at least as effective as prophylactic drug therapy, with no contraindications or unpleasant side effects. As well as prevention it may also be used to alleviate symptoms in acute attacks. New evidence also shows that acupuncture can increase coping mechanisms as well as relieve the primary migraine symptoms.
Mental / Emotional Disorders
Acupuncture has been found to be as effective as conventional medicine for sleep and psycho-emotional disorders. It can also be safely combined with conventional medical treatments helping to reduce their side effects and enhance their beneficial effects. Anxiety, insomnia and depression are often linked and can be a result of chronic stress. A meta-analysis of research regarding the use of acupuncture for insomnia indicates that it is an effective treatment method. Additionally, acupuncture is a holistic medicine, treating not only the symptoms but also the primary cause without medication.
There is increasing research to suggest that the auto-immune response whereby the body attacks it’s own cells underpins a number of serious long term conditions. The Inflammatory cascade going haywire is linked to just about everything that can go wrong with us! Acupuncture has been proven time and time again to be one of THE most effective, efficient and affordable forms of pain relief. In recent studies it has been found that Acupuncture provides long-term pain relief along with improvements in physical activity levels, quality of sleep and diminished use of pain medication for conditions including:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Fibromyalgia
Respiratory issues can not only be debilitating, but also frightening as the lungs are one of the body’s most vital organs. All of our cells require oxygen, and the lungs are responsible for transporting oxygen into the bloodstream. The purpose of acupuncture is to stimulate blood flow which makes it an ideal treatment for issues with the lungs. The increased blood flow helps support the immune system and dilate the airways, and the strategic placement of the needles can also be used to produce anti-inflammatory agents that relax muscles and improve breathing.
Acupuncture treats the root cause of your symptoms instead of masking with Medication resulting in hormonal balance being re-established. Acupuncture can help effectively manage the symptoms of the following conditions:-
- Functional Uterine Bleeding
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
It is estimated that around one in seven couple experience difficulties in trying to conceive and for those struggling with fertility issues, it can often become all-consuming.
There is now a growing body of evidence to suggest acupuncture can greatly increase a woman’s chance of becoming pregnant, with fertility-focused acupuncture fast-becoming one of the most popular alternative therapies to boost conception.
Other conditions Acupuncture can help with
- Diabetes Type-2
- Skin conditons including Eczma, Psoriasis, Shingles
- Substance Misuse & Addictions
- Hypertension and Coronary Heart Disease
Book a Treatment
To book a treatment or course of treatments please fill out your details in the form below and I will contact you to confirm your requirements.
I am currently on maternity leave and will not be able to accept bookings during this time.