Acupuncture Treatment
Appointments
The first appointment usually takes an hour and a half. A detailed medical and personal history is taken which covers your reasons for seeking acupuncture treatment as well as your general health. In addition to looking at your tongue, pulses on both wrists will be taken - these form an important part of your Chinese medical diagnosis and allow treatment to be decided on.
Preparing for treatment
It's a good idea to wear loose comfortable clothing for your appointments which allow easy access to different points on the body, particularly arms and legs. Acupuncturists look at your tongue as part of their diagnosis so it helps if you avoid eating or drinking anything that might colour your tongue a few hours before your appointment.
It's a good idea to bring details of any medications you are taking as they will be assessed from a Chinese medicine perspective.
Treatment
Treatment itself involves the gentle insertion of very fine acupuncture needles to regulate the flow of energy. Needles are either inserted for a few seconds or they can be left in place for up to 20 minutes, depending on your individual diagnosis. Sometimes treatment can involve cupping, where glass cups are applied directly to the skin using a vacuum, or the burning of a Chinese herb called moxa close to the surface of the skin - again both of these regulate the flow of energy. Sometimes lifestyle and dietary advice form part of your treatment. Please ask any questions about your treatment during the session.
Follow-up appointments are shorter and focus on progress since your last treatment and any new symptoms you might have - they usually take 45 minutes. The timing of subsequent appointments is agreed with you at the end of each session.
After treatment
After acupuncture treatment it can be a good idea to drink some water or herbal tea to keep hydrated. You could feel sleepy, relaxed or energised after treatment so you might want to think about what you have planned for the rest of your day. Occasionally a bruise can appear at the site where an acupuncture needle has been inserted but this will clear after a few days. If you have cupping this will leave a mark but again it will disappear after a few days.
Payment (by cash or cheque)
Initial consultation and treatment (1½ hours) £48
Follow-up appointments (45 minutes - 1 hour) £35
Evening follow up appointments (after 18.30) £37