Acupuncture for Health

About Me

Consultations
At the first consultation a detailed history is taken of your symptoms, past medical and family history. This usually takes 1 to 1.5 hours. Then we will go through a series of questions to determine the overall pattern of disharmony within the traditional oriental medical context. The diagnosis includes looking at the tongue and taking the pulses on both wrists. The pulses are felt whilst noting the quality, rhythm and strength. Subsequent consultations will be shorter, about 45 minutes to 1 hour, with more focus on the treatment aspect. My general approach is to use acupuncture and/or tui na initially in conjunction with food and exercise and then include herbs only if they are really needed. Some people only have acupuncture and this is just fine.

Acupuncture/Tui Na/Herbalism and Conventional Medicine
If you are receiving treatment from your doctor then it makes sense to tell him or her about our plans to have acupuncture, tui na and/or herbs. You should always tell your practitioner about any medication you are taking as this may affect your response to the treatment.

Safety
All members of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) must observe a Code of Practice which lays down stringent standards of hygiene and sterilisation of needles and other equipment. These procedures have been approved by the Department of Health and provide protection against the transmission of infectious diseases.

Serious adverse effects from Chinese Herbal Medicine are rare. However, no one can be certain of how a herbal formulation may affect a particular individual or interact with a medicine they are taking. It is therefore essential that you inform me of any medication that you are taking. Your progress will be monitored very carefully throughout treatment. The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine maintain a list of suppliers which must maintain strict standards and operate within UK law. Only herbs from these suppliers are used in the herbal formulations.