What happens during acupuncture treatment?
You will be asked in-depth questions about your health including the problems you are experiencing. You will be asked about your symptoms, any treatment you may have had or are currently having, medical history, diet and eating habits, sleeping patterns and emotional state. You will also have your pulse felt on both wrists and asked to show your tongue. All of this information is used to diagnose and treat you appropriately.
Once a diagnosis has been made an ‘acupuncture prescription’ is created and applied in the form of acupuncture needles; these are placed around the body at specific acupuncture points and left in place for 10 – 30 minutes. In some cases the needles will be manipulated during treatment as well as at the start.
What does it feel like?
The acupuncture sensation is very different from pricking yourself with a needle. It has been described as a tingle, an ache or a feeling of numbness.
The acupuncture needles used during treatment are extremely fine. They vary between 0.16mm to 0.30mm in diameter. They are sterilised and used only once after which they are disposed of in a clinical waste container. High standards of hygiene and safety are followed at all times.
How many sessions will I need?
Treatment is usually weekly although this is flexible. Most patients notice a difference in about 4 – 6 treatments although some will benefit sooner. This really depends on the individual patient and the condition being treated but as a general rule muscular skeletal conditions tend to improve within 3 or 4 sessions whereas conditions such as irregular periods may take as long as 12 sessions or 3 months.
My experience tells me that the longer you have had the condition the longer it can take to see any benefits.
For any other questions about acupuncture contact me by email or phone using the details provided.