Is acupuncture safe?

No medical treatment procedure is totally without some level of risk, however, acupuncture, practiced by properly trained practitioners is incredibly safe and adverse reactions are very rare. A qualified practitioner will always explain any possible risks before proceding with an acupuncture treatment.

What does acupuncture feel like? Does it hurt?

Most patients report that acupuncture is a thoroughly relaxing treatment that leaves them with a deep sense of calm. The needles used are very fine and little thicker than a hair. On insertion there is often no sensation at all and as the acupuncturist manipulates the needle there may be a slight tingling or ‘heavy’ sensation around the point which indicates the desired response. For muscular conditions the sensation may be slightly stronger but most first time patients are pleasantly surprised at how painless the process is.

Do I need to undress?

No – many acupuncture treatments only need access to the arms below the elbow and legs below the knee. However, some treatments that use cupping, massage or points on the back will require that area to be exposed. Appropriate professional draping and towelling is always used in such cases. Other areas of the body may be needed to be exposed for certain conditions i.e. the hip region for sciatica. I will always discuss these issues with you before beginning a treatment.

How many treatments will I need?

Every one is assessed individually and certain conditions will require longer courses of treatment than others. For acute conditions that are relatively recent, a course of 5-8 treaments is often sufficient although it is not unusual that improvements are seen after the first two or three sessions. More chronic conditions may require longer courses of treatment sometimes lasting several months. Initially, treatments are usually given once a week and once a response has been achieved they can be reduced to once every two weeks or more.

Are Chinese Herbs Safe?

Chinese herbs have been used to treat disease for thousands of years and the clinical knowledge of their actions is well known and respected. However, their potent effectiveness also means that they need to be prescribed properly to avoid possible adverse reactions. When prescribed by a professionally trained herbalist side effects are very rare. As a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM) I comply with a strict code of professional practice and only use the best quality herbal products that are manufactured to GMP (good manufacturing practice) standards. They are thoroughly tested for authenticity of species, purity of active ingredients, and against contamination from heavy metals and other toxins.