Acupuncture
Maidenhead Clinic
What is Acupuncture and how does it work?
Good health is dependent on the body's energy - known as Qi - moving smoothly and evenly through a series of meridians (channels) beneath the skin. The flow of Qi can be easily disturbed by physical, mental and emotional factors. These can include:
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Grief
- Poor diet
- Climate
- Hereditary conditions
- Illness
- Trauma
In turn, these can lead to further physical and emotional imbalances within the body.
By inserting fine needles into specific points along the meridians, an acupuncturist is able to stimulate your body's own healing response and balance out the flow of Qi.
The focus is on improving the overall wellbeing of the person, rather than treating individual symptoms.
What to expect during the first consultation?
Acupuncture is available at the Maidenhead clinic. On your first appointment, you will be asked a series of questions about your symptoms and current health. This will include:
- Your individual and family medical history
- Diet and digestion
- Sleeping patterns and emotional state
- Any medications you are taking
To discover how well the energies are flowing in your body, the acupuncturist will also: Feel the pulses on both your wrists, noting their quality, rhythm and strength. Look at the colour, coating and structure of your tongue. This will give a good guide to your internal physical health.
These observations enable the acupuncturist to discover which energy channels need balancing for your specific complaint to improve, and which require treatment to boost your overall energy and wellbeing. All the information and observations will then allow the acupuncturist to make a traditional diagnosis from what is often a complex pattern of disharmony resulting in many varying symptoms. The pattern and level of disharmony is unique to each individual and so following diagnosis, the acupuncturist will put together a personalised treatment plan for you.
What happens during a treatment?
It is advisable to wear loose, comfortable clothing for your treatment as your acupuncturist may need access to points on your torso and back as well as on your arms and legs. Fine needles will then be gently inserted into perhaps ten or twelve of these points and stimulated. It is common practice for different points to be selected as your condition changes during a course of treatment. The needles will then be left in place for around 20-30 minutes depending on the condition being treated.
What does it feel like?
When the needles are first inserted and being stimulated, you may feel a tingling or dull ache like sensation, however, this quickly wears off. During the remainder of the treatment, you may experience a slight heaviness in the limbs as well as a pleasant feeling of relaxation.
How can acupuncture benefit me?
As well as treating symptoms such as pain and discomfort, acupuncture can also be used as a preventative treatment by maintaining good health and well being. Acupuncture works in harmony with the body and so is one of the safest forms of medical treatment available. It can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including the following:
- Gastro-intestinal - IBS; Diarrhea; Constipation; Abdominal Pain; Bloating; Indigestion; Nausea and Vomiting
- Gynaecological - Infertility; Pre-menstrual symptoms; Irregular or heavy periods; Endometriosis; Polycystic ovarian syndrome; Menopausal symptoms
- Musculoskeletal - Back pain; Sciatica; Sports injuries; Neck and shoulder pain; Frozen shoulder; Tennis elbow; Arthritis; Whiplash; Sprains and strains
- Respiratory - Asthma; Hay fever; Sinusitis; Rhinitis; Common cold; Flu; Bronchitis; Allergies; Cough
- Emotional - Stress; Depression; Insomnia; Fatigue; Anxiety; Shock; Panic attacks
- Cardiovascular & Neurological - Hypertension; Palpitations; Headache; Migraines; Dizziness; Vertigo
- Pregnancy Support - Morning sickness; Fatigue; Heart burn; Constipation; Haemorrhoids; Back pain and Sciatica; Oedema; Induction of labour
For more information on Acupuncture, or to book an appointment with the acupuncturist at the Maidenhead clinic please visit the Contact us section of the website.
