This information provides you with some foreknowledge of acupuncture and the treatment you may receive. Please read it carefully, and get in touch with me if there's anything you need to clarify. Some of the the treatments will be new to you but rest assured, I am very experienced with using them and have been thoroughly trained in their safe use.
We will have time to discuss all the treatments I propose at the initial consultation and you can, of course, elect not to go through with treatment at any time. At the initial consultation I will need you to fill in a registration form - name, mobile phone number and/or email address - and confirm that you have read and understood this information.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a form of therapy in which fine needles are inserted into specific points on the body. I only use single-use, sterile, disposable needles.
I will also use moxa - a herb (Artemis Vulgaris) which has a therapeutic heating benefit - either in small cones burnt directly on the skin, or indirectly in moxa-roll form.
Rarely, and mostly for muscular-skeletal conditions, I will bleed acupuncture points on the tips of the fingers or toes. This involves using a disposable, single-use lancet to pierce the skin.
As an adjunct and primarily for muscular skeletal conditions I will use cups, which are likely to cause a temporary circular marks the skin where they have been used.
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is generally very safe. Serious side effects are very rare – less than one per 10,000 treatments.
Does acupuncture have side effects?
The side-effects of acupuncture treatment are minimal, but the following may occur:
- drowsiness occurs after treatment in a small number of patients, and, if affected, you are advised not to drive
- minor bleeding or bruising occurs after acupuncture in about 3% of treatments; pain during treatment occurs in about 1% of treatments
- symptoms can get worse after treatment (less than 3% of patients). We will talk about this in subsequent sessions, but it is usually a good sign
- fainting can occur in certain patients, particularly at the first treatment
In addition, if there are particular risks that apply in your case, I will discuss these with you.
Is there anything your practitioner needs to know?
The initial consultation involves a thorough look at your medical history, but it is important that you let me know:
- if you have ever experienced a fit, faint or funny turn
- if you have a pacemaker or any other electrical implants
- if you have a bleeding disorder
- if you are taking anti-coagulants or any other medication
- if you have damaged heart valves or have any other particular risk of infection