What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a system of healing which has been practiced for thousands of years. It is commonly thought of as the insertion of needles into specific points on the body, but this is just one aspect of treatment. During a session, I may also use ‘Moxa’, a herb used to warm acupuncture points, or the application of glass ‘cups’ to encourage the flow of energy to promote healing, for example low back pain, sprains or soft tissue injuries may be treated using cupping. According to Chinese philosophy, our health is dependent on the smooth movement of energy- known as Qi- through a series of channels beneath the skin. Illness can arise when the flow of this energy is disturbed. By inserting fine needles into these channels, the body’s own healing response can be stimulated, and natural balance restored. Chinese medicine can also offer us a wealth of dietary and lifestyle advice, accumulated over thousands of years, to improve the quality of our health. Frequency of Treatment Treatment is usually weekly, and will depend on your presenting problem and your own individual response to treatment. Sometimes the effects of treatment can be dramatic, and only a couple of treatments may be required. Other people may need treatment over several weeks.