Sue Revill - Traditional Acupuncture

FAQ's about Acupuncture treatment

What does a treatment involve?

Initial Consultation – a full medical history will be requested including symptoms currently experienced, medication taken and other treatment(s) received. In addition to this, I will explore and assess such factors as your diet, sleep patterns and emotional state.

I will also carry out a number of diagnostic checks, which includes feeling your wrist pulses, taking your blood pressure and looking at your tongue. All the checks carried out give me valuable information about the state of your Qi.

Subsequent treatments – each treatment will involve inserting needles at specific points, which may not always be close to the part of the body where you experience the problem. For example, you may be experiencing headaches, but I may insert needles in your feet or hands. Every individual is unique, with unique needs. Treatment for the same condition may therefore vary from person to person due to the holistic approach of treating the person that has the condition, and not the condition itself.

Does it hurt?

Many people imagine the experience of an acupuncture needle insertion to be similar to that experienced when receiving an injection or blood test. This is not the case. Acupuncture needles are much finer and the sensation on insertion is often described as a momentary tingling, sharpness or dull ache.

How many treatments will I need?

Frequency and length of treatment depends on your individual needs. Some positive change - where patients often report 'feeling better in themselves - is usually experienced after 4-6 treatments although occasionally only one or two treatments are required. Some patients need long-term treatment. Others choose to have seasonal ‘maintenance’ treatments to retain their feelings of well-being.

Initially, I will normally ask to see you once or twice a week. After a few weeks, treatments can normally be gradually spaced out according to individual needs.

Should I tell my GP?

Although acupuncture is safe to use alongside conventional medicine and medication, if you are being treated by your GP, and / or receiving medication from him / her, it makes sense to advise him / her.

Are there any side effects?

Side effects are generally positive signs that treatment is helping. As the Qi energy moves and re-balances and encourages healing, you may feel tired or mildly dizzy or experience a slight headache after treatment. However, this is usually short-lived (up to approx 24 - 48 hours). It is a good idea to arrive for treatment in plenty of time to relax a little beforehand and also to rest for a few hours after treatment if at all possible. This allows the body to gain the most out of treatment.

For the same reason, you are also advised to avoid vigorous exercise, a heavy meal, or a very hot bath / shower immediately before or after treatment. Alcohol is also best avoided on the day of treatment. It is advisable to drink some plain, still water after treatment to keep the body hydrated and helps to dispel toxins and avoid a headache.

Can Acupuncture help me to quit smoking or lose weight?
In acupuncture terms, smoking and difficulty in weight maintenance are seen as symptoms of a person’s overall health picture and are treated accordingly.

Dependency usually has a psychological aspect to it as well as an addictive one - for example, you may reach for a cigarette or a bar of chocolate during times of stress.

Acupuncture may be effective at reducing the intensity of both the chemical and the psychological dependencies as part of a holistic treatment but anyone seeking acupuncture to help quit smoking or lose weight should be committed to the goal of improving their overall health.

Links:

British Acupuncture Council (BAcC): CLICK HERE
World Health Organisation: CLICK HERE
Association of Reflexologists: CLICK HERE
Reiki Association: CLICK HERE
The Complementary Medicine Centre, Solihull, West Midlands: CLICK HERE
Lifeways Complementary Health Centre, Stratford-upon-Avon: CLICK HERE
College of Traditional Acupuncture, Warwick: CLICK HERE