Before treatment

• What do I need to do?

  Do have a light meal beforehand and wear loose fitting clothing for your appointment.

  Several key points are on the lower arms and legs so easy access to these are very helpful.

  Please also avoid wearing make up and perfume.

  Gowns, towels and blankets are available.

Treatment

• What happens when I come for treatment?

  After discussing how you are doing, I will mention the areas that I want to focus on in each treatment session.

  The minimum number of needles are used in treatment and a large number of key points are located on the lower arm or leg.

  I will always check with you that you are comfortable and offer a gown, towel, blanket or pillow if needed.

  Just relax and focus on the treatment! Some patients fall asleep on the treatment couch.

  At your first appointment I will take a complete medical history, take your pulses, look at your tongue and may examine the area of your symptoms.

  You can expect to be asked about your sleep, appetite, energy levels plus urination and bowel movements which will all help me to formulate an individual treatment plan based upon your state of health and lifestyle.

  Some of the questions may seem to be irrelevant to your main complaint but if you can be as open and honest as possible, this works best all round.

• How many treatments will I need?

  I offer complimentary 15 minute initial consultations by telephone and am happy to discuss cases through to see if acupuncture is suitable for you. 

  Although some patients report an immediate improvement in their symptoms, four to six weekly appointments are generally recommended as an initial course of treatment.  At the beginning of each session, I will reassess and evaluate your progress to check that your main complaint is being addressed.

  I offer block booking session discounts on three and six acupuncture sessions paid for in advance. 

  Home visits by special arrangement. 

• Should I tell my doctor?

  If you are currently receiving medical treatment, I recommend you tell your doctor that you are planning to have acupuncture.

  Do not stop taking your medication without seeking professional medical guidance. Please advise me about any medication that you are currently taking.

  Acupuncture works well in conjunction with conventional medicine and is considered suitable for all ages. 

  I hold memberships with the British Acupuncture Council, British Medical Acupuncture Society and Association of Acupuncture Clinicans which means that I adhere to the highest professional standards.

Feeling

• How does it feel?

  Acupuncture is a gentle and effective treatment, most people report that they feel relaxed both during and after treatment. 

  It is difficult to describe the sensations that are felt as it differs from patient to patient. Upon insertion, some patients have described the sensation like a dull ache or tingling, and lasts for a few moments, which is a sign that Qi has been activated.

  Treatments are focused on helping the whole person, and are aimed at overall health and well-being. As an integrated practitioner, my aim is to deal with the underlying cause of disease rather than specific signs and symptoms. Points are carefully chosen to suit the best treatment strategy for the patient.

• Does it hurt?

  Acupuncture needles are unlike those used in general medical practice

  The needles used are sterile, single use and are very fine – around the thickness of a human hair. The minimum number of needles are used in each treatment.

  Needles are inserted very lightly and acupuncture rarely hurts. If it does, the sensation lasts only momentarily.

Gynaecology

• How can acupuncture help?

  Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can be used to support a happy and healthy pregnancy and childbirth. I treat both male and female infertility and find that by determining the root cause of the issue, acupuncture treatments are specifically tailored to the individuals.  I find that assessing a couple together produces the best outcomes for conception. I offer fertility consultations at each of my clinics, and also offers support through IVF cycles. Please contact me to arrange an appointment.  

  In pregnancy, acupuncture may help to relieve back pain, pelvic pain, labour pain, alleviate nausea and reduce anxiety.  I offer pre-birth acupuncture from 35 weeks, using moxa to turn breech babies, and post-natal treatments to support new mothers. 

  I treat perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms according to individual patterns. 

  Facts and figures 

  One in 7 couples may have difficulty conceiving (nhs.co.uk)

  
  Infertility affects nearly 1 in 20 men and accounts for nearly 50% of couples that experience difficulty in conceiving.

  The World Health Organisation (WHO) has shown that normal semen morphology has declined from 65% in the 1970's to less that 10% in 2010 (Glover, 2016)

  In the UK, around 20% of infertility cases are unexplained (Isaksson, 2004), ovulatory failure accounts for 27%, tubal damage 14%, endometriosis 5%, low sperm quality or count 19%, or other causes 5% (Effective Health Care 1992)

  
  The British Acupuncture Council, Assocation of Acupuncture Clinicians and Evidence Based Acupuncture has produced impartial research fact sheets on gynaecological conditions, infertility and childbirth. 
  
  Click on the subject below to read further information.
  

  I treat Endometriosis - Fact sheet
  I treat Infertility ART - Fact Sheet
  I treat Dysmenorrhoea - Fact Sheet
  I treat Breech Presentation - Fact Sheet
  I treat Menopausal Symptoms - Fact Sheet

   

   

  Glover, J. It Takes Two, 2016; Effective Health Care. The Management of Subfertility.  Effective Health Care Bulletin 1992;3:13; Isaksson R, Tiitinen A.  A Present Concept of Unexplained Infertility.  Gynecol Endocrin 2004; 18:278-90

Other

• After treatment

  Some people can feel a little tired or drowsy after treatment which is often a sign that rest is needed. Others can feel very energetic and raring to go, but on the whole it’s a good idea to have a little quiet time after acupuncture to let your body absorb the treatment.

  Keeping yourself hydrated is always a good thing and if you are flushing out toxins after a treatment, staying hydrated after treatment is beneficial.  Drinking water or herbal tea is suggested. 

Insurance

• Are my treatments covered?

  I hold memberships with The British Acupuncture Council, British Medical Acupuncture Society and Association of Acupuncture Clinicians.
  
  Most insurance companies will cover Acupuncture and Natural Health Treatments. Please contact them directly before you start treatment with me as some of the companies below may require pre-authorisation. 

  • April
  • Aviva 
  • AXA PPP Healthcare 
  • Benenden Health 
  • Birmingham Hospital Saturday Fund 
  • Bupa 
  • CS Healthcare (Now merged with BUPA) 
  • Engage Mutual Assurance 
  • General & Medical Healthcare 
  • Health Shield 
  • HSF 
  • Medicash 
  • National Friendly 
  • Orchard Healthcare 
  • Simply Health 
  • Sovereign Health Care 
  • The Exeter 
  • Vitality Health 
  • Westfield Health 
  • WHA Direct 
  • WPA