CHINESE PROVERB
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been practiced in China for over 3000 years, and acupuncture is an integral part of this practice. TCM is a complex study of the balance and health of the body. Practitioners use a range of diagnostic techniques like tongue examination and pulse palpation to help pick up issues and monitor changes.
Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points on the body to regulate the flow of qi (energy) along pathways in the body called meridians restoring health. Although this practice may sound antiquated it is worth noting that acupuncture point use has developed through centuries of clinical practice and academic research.
Cosmetic acupuncture is the practice of inserting needles into the face and neck in order to help defy ageing naturally.
Why try Acupuncture?
TCM is a complete system of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. By identifying patterns of disharmony in the body and then using acupuncture, electroacupuncture and cupping you deal with the root cause of the problem and restore health.
The needles are so fine that many patients barely feel them and most feel deeply relaxed during a treatment.
Acupuncture is incredibly popular with patients for its ability to target the whole person, improve wellbeing and its success in supporting many health conditions.
Acupuncture fits beautifully alongside Chinese herbal medicine and cupping and the other natural therapies that our practice is trained in. Learn more about Our Approach.
Nicola our acupuncturist is a registered and insured acupuncturist who qualified from Shu-Lan college of Chinese Medicine after an intensive 2 year acupuncture course. She underwent extensive further one-on-one training with Dr Jess before joining the Natural Doctor’s team. She is an experienced member of the team and also offers electro-acupuncture, ear acupuncture, cosmetic acupuncture, cupping and acupuncture to support fertility and fertility treatment.
Acupuncture training includes in depth evidence based training in the safe and effective insertion of needles for a range of conditions. They are usually left in for 20-30 minutes and then removed. Electro-acupuncture uses a similar technology to a TENs machine to send stimulation through the needles (which many people find pleasant). Acupressure (massaging acupuncture points) and the use of ear seeds to stimulate acupressure points can be discussed with patients who have needle anxiety.
To learn more about Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, a good book for beginners is the ‘Web That Has No Weaver’ by Ted Kaptchuk.
DR KENNETH RILAND, PERSONAL DOCTOR TO PRESIDENT NIXON, 1972