 Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat happens during a treatment? The first visit will last for around 1½ hours, we will discuss the problem you are coming with and take a full medical history. Your tongue will be looked at and your pulses taken, which are important diagnostic aides in acupuncture. Treatment We will then insert a number of fine needles into various parts of the body. Often the points used are at a distance from the area causing the problem. For instance, points on the foot may be used for headaches. The needles can be left in place for up to 20 minutes. We also use a method called ‘Moxabustion’ in which the herb Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) gently heats the needles or acupuncture points of the body. Follow Up Treatments For follow up treatments your progress will be monitord and the focus will change depending on your current state of well-being. Follow up treatments tend to be shorter lasting around 45 minutes to 1 hour.
How Will I Feel? Response to treatment varies enormously. During treatment you might feel sensations of tingling or heaviness and people often fall into a deeply relaxed state. After the treatment you may feel energised, or temporarily tired, you may sleep better, have a better appetite and an improved overall sense of well-being. Occasionally a condition might temporally worsen as the body rebalances itself.
How many treatments will I need? Everyone is unique and has an individual diagnosis and so will need a different number of treatments. However, as a general rule, the longer you have had the condition the longer it will take to bring the body back into balance. Sometimes two to five treatments have a dramatic affect, while in other cases treatment needs to be continued for many months. Your progress and the number of treatments needed will be discussed with you regularly. Is it Safe? Only sterile single use needles are used and acupuncturists follow strict standards of practice regarding hygiene. With good training acupuncture is an incredibly safe treatment as its long and successful history shows. 
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About Acupuncture