Common Questions About Acupuncture Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
How can acupuncture help me?
The WHO (World Health Organization) recognises acupuncture in the treatment of the following diseases, conditions and/or symptoms:
- Addictions to tobacco, food, sweets, etc
- Pain management
- Anxiety
- Sleep disturbances: insomnia; somnolence
- Emotional disturbances: sadness; melancholy; stress; anger
- Pregnancy
- Menstrual problems
- Allergies and Intolerances
- Adverse reactions to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy
- Allergic rhinitis (including hay fever)
- Biliary colic
- Depression (including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke)
- Dysentery, acute bacillary Dysmenorrhoea, primary
- Epigastralgia, acute (in peptic ulcer, acute and chronic gastritis, and gastrospasm)
- Facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders)
- Headaches and Migraines
- Hypertension, essential
- Hypotension, primary
- Induction of labour
- Knee pain
- Leukopenia
- Low back pain
- Malposition of fetus
- Morning sickness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Neck pain
- Pain in dentistry (including dental pain and temporomandibular dysfunction)
- Periarthritis of shoulder
- Postoperative pain
- Renal colic
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Does acupuncture have any side effects?
Acupuncture therapy is widely accepted because of the fact that it has no serious side effects.
Are the needles safe?
Acupuncture needles are completely safe. They are much finer than the hypodermic needles patients are often used to. Needles are made of stainless steel. They are pre-sterilized, come individually wrapped and are only used once. Needles are disposed of safely in sharps containers after each treatment.
What does it feel like?
Most patients describe a dull, slightly aching sensation when the needles are inserted. Occasionally, one can feel a mild electric shock depending on the acupuncture points used, or one can feel nothing at all.
Acupuncture Needles
See How We Work
Your first acupuncture treatment explained...
Case History
Step
an assessment of your general health and medical history, which includes the following:
- a physical examination: body, tongue and pulse diagnosis
- an opportunity to raise any questions that you may have prior to treatment.
- the discussion of a treatment plan tailored to your requirements.
Needle Insertion
Step
Prior to the insertion of needles, the practitioner will discuss your treatment plan and the proposed locations for needle insertion. Needles are then inserted to various depths at these strategic points on your body.
Needle Manipulation
Step
The practitioner may gently move or twirl the needles after placement and/or apply moxibustion to the needles if necessary.
Needle Removal
Step
The needles remain in place for approximately 20 minutes.