FAQs
General
What are the advantages of having acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a drug-free, holistic treatment which treats the underlying cause of a condition, not just the symptoms. Patients generally find that as well as providing relief from their particular condition, acupuncture boosts their energy levels, improves the quality of their sleep and provides an overall sense of well being.
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What does acupuncture feel like?
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Acupuncture needles bear little resemblance to those used for injections/blood tests. They are much finer, and solid rather than hollow. When inserted, the sensation is often described as tingling or a dull ache. They are usually left in place for about 20 minutes. During treatment patients commonly experience a heaviness in the limbs and/or a pleasant feeling of relaxation.
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How often should I come for acupuncture?
Some patients come for a short course of weekly treatments for a specific problem. Others come for a more complicated or chronic condition that might take longer to treat.
What should I wear to my appointment?
Loose and comfortable clothing such as a T shirt and loose trousers are ideal. The most frequently used acupuncture points are on the forearms, lower legs and torso.
Fertility, pregnancy, postnatal
How does acupuncture aid conception?
Acupuncture stimulates the body's natural ability to balance itself. This strengthens egg quality and stimulates the maturation of sperm and egg, balances hormone levels and improves blood circulation to the uterus and endometrium, which increases your chance of conceiving.
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I'm struggling to conceive. Can you help me?
There are many conditions that can make it difficult to conceive, including endometriosis, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome, poor ovary function, or simply 'unexplained infertility'. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help in many cases, but an initial consultation to assess your condition and consider the best course of treatment is required.
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Do you also treat male infertility?
Yes. Acupuncture can successfully increase sperm count and improve its quality and motility, so I often treat men during a couple's fertility journey.
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Can acupuncture help with the prevention of miscarriage?
It is estimated that over 50% of miscarriages are due to chromosomal abnormalities, but where this is not the case, acupuncture can ensure a woman is in the best possible state to avoid a potential miscarriage. Once a pregnancy has reached 12 weeks, the chance of miscarriage is 5%. Acupuncture is also successful at preventing future miscarriages in patients who have had recurrent miscarriages.
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Can acupuncture stop/prevent morning sickness?
Many pregnant women experience morning sickness during pregnancy, which can be debilitating. Acupuncture can reduce or in some cases even stop you from experiencing morning sickness altogether.
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Feeling unduly anxious or depressed?
Itʼs common to experience some anxiety during pregnancy. Perhaps it wasnʼt easy for you to conceive, or maybe youʼre experiencing some worrying symptoms (e.g. bleeding during early pregnancy). Whatever the cause of your anxiety, acupuncture is very effective at calming the mind and helping you to better enjoy your pregnancy.
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Iʼm having problems breastfeeding. Can acupuncture help me?
By strengthening the body and in particular by nourishing the blood and/or moving blocked energy, acupuncture can help with problems such as a lack of milk, poor flow of milk, pain and mastitis.
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Can acupuncture help me recuperate after the birth?
As your body isnʼt just recuperating from the stress of the birth but from carrying your baby for nine months, itʼs understandable that practitioners of Chinese medicine in China believe it takes a woman at least a month or more to recover fully from childbirth. In the West, however, women are usually supported for a couple of weeks before being left to cope on their own. A weekly session of acupuncture for 3 or 4 weeks after the birth, along with appropriate rest and a good diet, will help you nourish and rebalance your body as quickly as possible, depending on your overall health/any other condition.
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I think I may have post-natal depression. Can acupuncture help?
If you are experiencing sudden mood swings, bouts of crying, exhaustion, feeling of hopelessness, acupuncture can certainly help to strengthen and rebalance the body and nourish the blood to calm the mind. However, post natal depression ranges from mild to severe. Severe cases will generally also require medical intervention.