a. What Conditions can Traditional Medical Acupuncture Help to Treat?
Acupuncture can be used to treat a whole range of signs and symptoms associated with acute injury and chronic illness. For further information on these conditions please refer to Conditions treated with Acupuncture section of this site. If you are suffering from an illness not currently listed here please contact the Natural Health Clinic directly on info@naturalhealthdirectory.co.uk and we will offer further advice on if Acupuncture can help.
Some individuals seek alternative healthcare advice to maintain a good standard of health and wellbeing. The Natural Health Clinic can offer you practice, affordable and realistic advice.
Structured treatment programmes built individually for you to ensure your body is able to function at its optimal capacity. A holistic approach to healthcare is at the very centre of Traditional Chinese Medical Acupuncture.
- How many sessions will I need?
All Acupuncture treatments vary. Initially you may be asked to attend once or twice a week, but over a period or time this will reduce as your symptoms begin to improve.
If the condition is more chronic the treatments may have to be a regular weekly sessions as these can take sometime to improve.
- What does it feel like?
Acupuncture can vary in the sensation it produces according to the patient and the treatment in question. Some points and sessions may be more sensitive than others but generally patients find the experience of having Acupuncture very relaxing.
Ideally the practitioner will be trying to activate the Qi and so they will be aiming for you to experience a dull ache sensation rather than a sharp stinging pain.
- What do I do before and after Acupcunture Treatments?
We ask that you try and eat more than one hour before attending clinic as this can affect your pulse reading.. We may also ask that you lay on your stomach during tratment and so want to try and avoid unecessary discomfort.
Alcohol and stimulants like coffee should also be avoided prior to and/or within two hours after the treatment.
The treatments can be very relaxing but sometimes they can make you drowsy. Try to avoid operating heavy machinery or driving for long periods of time immediately after your treatment
- Are there any unpleasant side effects?
There are very few side effects associated with Acupuncture treatments. Infrequently some points may bruise slightly after the needles have been taken out.
When using cupping the marks left as a result can sometimes take upto one week to dissappear.
- Can children and babies have Acupuncture?
Babies and young children can respond very well to Acupcunture. Many Acupuncturists specialise in Paediatric care.
- Should I tell my Doctor I am having Acupuncture?
If you are under the care of any other healthcare practitioner you should communicate with them about your Acupuncture treatments. Depending on the treatments involved it may be necessary for us to contact your GP with details of our intended treatments. Any direct contact with your Doctor will not be initiated unless prior agreement has been made with yourself.
- Is Acupuncture Available on the NHS?
A small number of GP’s and physiotherapists are able to use Acupuncture to treat patients. However more Acupuncturists are now operating as a part of multi-disciplinary team within GP practice and Primary Care Trusts
- I have private medical insurance – will it cover the cost of my treatment?
That depends upon your insurer. As the demand for complementary medicine increases more private health insurance companies are beginning to offer cover for traditional acupuncture. You should check your individual policy details.
