What to expect

You are welcome to call me on 01603 720467 to discuss your symptoms and which therapy or techniques would be suitable for you.

For Acupuncture treatment:

We arrange a 2 hour appointment during which I take details of your:

• Symptoms, health history and details of any medication
• assess any musculoskeletal problems, if this is your main complaint.
• assess your pulse and tongue – important aspects of Chinese Medicine diagnosis
• An introductory acupuncture treatment and/or other technique is often included so that we can get you on your way to better health as soon as possible.

Many patients have found it useful to have the health questionnaire sent to them by email to complete at home prior to their first appointment.

Where on the body and what will I feel?

• Commonly used areas of the body for Acupuncture treatment are lower arms and legs, the back, head and abdomen.
• Acupuncture points are located in all areas of the body and treatment is always explained and given with your consent.
• The purpose of inserting the fine needles is for me to access your Qi which flows through channels beneath the skin. You should feel this connection as a momentary sensation that can vary from a dull ache to a sharp prick or tingle and increases the effectiveness of acupuncture.
• Patients often take the opportunity to lie back on the couch and relax while receiving treatment and others find the quiet supportive space brings a time for reflection and might want to talk about their concerns.

Acupuncture and its adjunctive treatments have a cumulative effect and it is generally recognised that if you have had a condition for a long time it will take longer to gain sustained relief. However, as your diagnosis takes account of all your organs and systems, treatment can benefit your general health and well-being with improved sleep, better emotional balance and reduced feelings of stress.

Lifestyle factors

The system of Chinese medicine considers all aspects of health including various lifestyle factors. So, as well as receiving acupuncture treatment many conditions can be improved through:

• changing aspects of eating habits and food choices,
• physical activities
• seasonal considerations
• other lifestyle factors

I can advise and support you in making health promoting changes. Patients often find that they feel more motivated to make healthier choices when their health starts to improve through having acupuncture treatment.

After treatment

Everyone is different and some people feel they need to rest more and some people feel more energised. Whichever way you feel, acupuncture aims to rebalance the flow of Qi and substances in the body so I advise patients to allow some time for their body to assimilate the treatment. The effects can be immediate and noticeable or they can be subtle and take a few days. Hearing your feedback about your experience is always a useful part of assessing your progress and response to treatment.

Adverse effects

Acupuncture is a safe and effective form of treatment. Consideration should be given to the experience of acupuncture whereby thin needles pierce the skin.

• Various momentary sensations can be felt on insertion such as a dull ache, tingling or sharp prick.
• The current of electro-acupuncture produces a mild tingling feeling and always within your comfort level.
• On occasion the needle may nick a capillary and cause a slight bleed and temporary bruising.
• Cupping and guasha techniques usually cause rash-like reddening of the skin which darkens and fades within approximately 5 days. Treatment is always within your comfort level.

Health and safety are paramount in my professional training and my professional body’s code of practice. The single use wire needles are stored in sealed sterile packets until use. Disposal is immediate via sharps bin and collected by registered specialists.

For Reflexology

Where on the body and what will I feel?

Reflexology is generally applied to the feet while you lie back comfortably on a cushioned treatment couch. The room is kept warm and quiet with soothing music in the background.

Reflexology can be applied to the hands, both in the treatment room, if preferred, or as ‘homework’, to help sustain the balancing effects of treatment.

Reflexology is a deeply relaxing treatment in which I use my hands and fingers to apply specific pressure to all the areas of the feet. The pressure varies from light to deep and probing and is always within your comfort level. Some areas may feel more sensitive especially if the related area of the body is out of balance.

During your first session I take details of your symptoms, medical history and your reasons for having reflexology. As reflexology is a holistic therapy I like to consider your lifestyle factors such as work, family, diet and exercise and I may make specific recommendations to help you to make more supportive choices to benefit your health and well-being.

People often come to reflexology because treatment is deeply relaxing and healing and is provided in the calm environment of my healing room. This brings the opportunity to switch off from your daily concerns and reduce your stress levels. Some people benefit from the opportunity to talk through their problems while others appreciate having a peaceful space for themselves.

Combined ear acupuncture and reflexology

Auricular acupuncture and the NADA protocol can be combined with reflexology treatment giving a truly de-stressing treatment that is the best of both worlds! This special treatment has great health promoting benefits particularly for conditions exacerbated by stress.

After treatment

Reflexology has a gentle stimulating effect on the systems of the body and I advise people to take it easy after their treatment to enable the healing and balancing effects to be assimilated. Drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeine, alcohol and heavy exercise in the 24hrs following treatment supports the beneficial effects of reflexology. Clients occasionally report experiencing a mild headache, increased frequency of needing the toilet or feeling tired. These are normal reactions, should pass within 24-48 hours and are part of the healing process.

How many sessions?

Everyone is different with their own symptoms, challenges and response to treatment. Although one session of reflexology is very relaxing and some people see it as a treat, the cumulative effect of regular treatment would be necessary if you want to see a sustained improvement of your health and well-being. Clients often feel that the benefits are noticeable after a course of weekly treatments. I have several regular long term clients and others who come back for a few sessions when they feel they need to.

Some research projects have shown positive benefits to reflexology (See Association of Reflexologists website library) but claims of clinical effectiveness cannot be made as the body of official evidence is not large enough yet.

Reflexology acknowledges you as a unique individual and it is not possible to know in advance how you will react to treatment. The only way for you to know is to try it!