Your first consultation and treatment will last for about an hour. I start by taking a detailed medical history inititially exploring the presenting problem and working back through an in depth family medical history. I take the pulses on both wrists and look at your tongue which helps me to make a diagnosis.

At this stage any physical examinations will be carried out, for example taking your blood pressure or palpating aches and pains. I then explain the diagnosis I have reached from a Chinese medical perspective and we discuss the course of treatment. You will then experience your first treatment. The sensation experienced during an acupuncture treatment is entirely individual, though a feeling of deep relaxation and wellbeing is often reported.

"May all beings be free from suffering. May all beings have happiness" A Buddhist Blessing

Acupuncture is usually painless though the sensations of dull ache, tingling or itchiness may be felt for a short period at the initial insertion. Subsequent treatments take about 45 minutes and will involve a short follow up consultation and treatment.

Other techniques that may be used during treatment include:

Cupping: wooden, clay or glass cups that stick to the skin by suction to move stagnation of Qi or to relieve the symptoms of colds and flu. Most patients enjoy this soothing treatment as it is highly effective at relieving tension and alleviating pain.

Moxibustion: is the burning of the dried herb Mugwort or Artemisia Vulgaris on or over the skin or by warming the acupuncture needles. Often used in cold conditions like arthritis, frozen shoulder or low back ache which all get worse in cold weather, for severe menstrual cramps where it is burned in a box which sits on the lower abdomen. And to help turn breach or transverse babies during the 34th-35th week of pregnancy by warming a point on the feet.