Medical Acupuncture In Sutton

Acupuncture is an ancient practice that has been performed for health, healing and wellbeing through the centuries. Originating in China, acupuncture involves the careful insertion of fine needles into key sites of the body to stimulate sensory nerves and muscles and promote the release of our body’s natural pain-relieving substances known as endorphins. Medical Acupuncture is a proven and evidence-based treatment, recommended as an NHS treatment for certain conditions by NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Many people also access acupuncture practiced by trained private practitioners and allied health professionals including physiotherapists and massage therapists.

Acupuncture in Sutton: A History

Acupuncture originates from Ancient China and has been practiced within Traditional Chinese Medicine for more than two millennia. An important text outlining the theory and practice of acupuncture is known as the Huang Di Nei Jing, or the “Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic”. Sections of this work date from the Han dynasty in the 2nd century BC.

More recently, acupuncture has become more widely known and practiced in the Western World. Impressed by the benefits and results of acupuncture after witnessing treatments whilst travelling, 18th Century European physicians began to employ acupuncture techniques in their own medical practice. It was the work of a French Diplomat who further facilitated the practice of acupuncture within Europe. Posted in China between 1901 and 1917, George Soulie de Morant was impressed by the efficacy of acupuncture in treating people during an epidemic of Cholera in Beijing. He began to train in acupuncture and, on his return to France, translated important Chinese and Japanese medical texts so that European physicians could train in and practice acupuncture. Western scientists began to examine the benefit claims of acupuncture and, by the 1970s, there was clear evidence that acupuncture was a reliable and effective treatment. Acupuncture now spanned the divide between traditional complementary techniques and modern medicine. In the UK, many practitioners both within the NHS and Private Clinics offer Medical Acupuncture to treat and manage a variety of health conditions.

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How Medical Acupuncture Works

Traditional Chinese Acupuncture includes the theory and belief that the human body contains a life force or energy called chi, which flows around the body using channels known as meridians. When chi is clocked in some way then the body’s usual harmony or balance is disturbed, resulting in discomfort and illness. Through acupuncture, blockages and areas of tension are targeted with the aim of providing release, balance and restoring the body’s natural flow of chi.

Modern Medical Acupuncture respects this ancient wisdom whilst also recognising that, through the stimulation of acupuncture points, pain-relieving endorphins are released. By increasing the body’s levels of natural endorphins, Medical Acupuncture has been repeatedly shown to effectively treat pain related conditions including migraines and tension headaches, dental pain and post-operative pain as well as musculoskeletal problems such as back and neck pain.

What to Expect

Medical Acupuncture, like Traditional Chinese Acupuncture begins with building an understanding of your experience of your pain or condition. As a professional administering acupuncture, I’ll ask you about your symptoms, lifestyle and past medical history. I’m interested in hearing you speak about your presenting problems and background.

I’ll then explain to you what the proposed treatment involves and what to expect. You’ll be free and encouraged to ask any questions you might have.

The treatment itself will take place with you sitting or lying down. I may be ask you to remove some items of clothing so that I can assess and access your skin. I will identify the area of your body, known as acupuncture points, that can bring relief and benefit for your specific symptoms. This will vary from person to person. I then insert thin, medical grade, pre-sterilised needles into the acupuncture points, so that they reach just under your skin or sometimes into your muscle. Once the needles are in position, they will be left in place for period of time which can vary from a couple of minutes to half an hour. Throughout, I will be monitoring and observing your progress, and will then remove and dispose of the needles.

Many people benefit from a course of acupuncture treatments and find improved results from between 5 to 8 sessions when compared to a single session. Of course, as a trained acupuncturist, I will discuss specific recommendations and treatment plans tailored to you and your symptoms, as well as providing aftercare advice following the treatment.

Will it Hurt? What do I Need to Know Before the Treatment?

It’s natural and normal to ask questions if you’ve never experienced Medical Acupuncture before.

If you choose to have acupuncture, prior to the treatment itself you will have chance to discuss any concerns or worries you may have about the treatment before choosing to continue with the procedure. There are some conditions which mean Medical Acupuncture may not be advised. For example, if you have an untreated skin infection or a bleeding disorder such as haemophilia, Medical Acupuncture may not be suitable for you. That’s why it will be important for me to ask you about your medical history and symptoms prior to beginning the procedure.

Once we agree that Medical Acupuncture is a treatment suited to your individual symptoms, we can begin the treatment. As a trained and qualified Medical Acupuncturist, I will be inserting the acupuncture needles in such a way that you may not feel any sensation at all. It may be that you feel a tingling or a dull ache as the needles are inserted. Most people report this sensation is not unpleasant. When the treatment is performed, you should not experience any significant pain. I will be communicating with you throughout the treatment and monitoring and observing your progress, so, in the unlikely event you did feel discomfort, I can take steps to help you feel more comfortable.

When Medical Acupuncture is performed by a qualified practitioner, it has shown to be a very safe treatment. Any side effects are rare and usually mild. For example, whilst you may experience drowsiness following the treatment, good levels of aftercare such as resting and drinking water can support you in managing these mild effects. As part of the consultation, we’ll talk through any potential side effects and how to manage these.

If you do have any questions about whether Medical Acupuncture might be suitable and beneficial for you, please do get in touch: I’d be happy to answer them.

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