What to expect from an acupuncture treatment
First appointment : 90 mins – 2 hrs
A thorough consultation and first treatment. I will ask about your medical history and that of your family, and enquire about your main systems, such as digestion, sleep, energy levels and your state of mind. Feeling the pulses on both wrists and looking at the tongue is a fundamental part of Chinese medical diagnosis, as is examining the physical features most relevant to a complaint. For patients that are anxious or altogether new to acupuncture, this is a very gentle introductory treatment.
Treatment duration : 90 minutes and 2 hours.
Subsequent treatment duration : 45 mins – 1 hour.
Facial enhancement acupuncture : 2 hours.
Treatments often include
Acupuncture
Single use, sterile, ultrafine needles are inserted into acupuncture points – most often the patient cannot even sense this. The needle is gently manipulated until it connects with the Qi and a fleeting sensation is often felt, that is hard to describe since it differs from person to person, from one side of the body to the other, and from one part of the body to another. Some people report a tingling, some a feeling of warmth, some a dull ache that disappears almost instantly. According to the desired effect of treatment, the needles may be removed immediately or be retained for 20-30 minutes. The vast majority of patients find resting with the needles deeply relaxing, sometimes they even fall asleep (which is fine).
Cupping
Popular with athletes after high intensity sport, helpful in many painful musculoskeletal problems and useful to boost immunity in the early stages of cold viruses.
Moxa and Ontake warm bamboo
A warming and invigorating herb Artemisia vulgaris, dried and prepared in different ways for direct and indirect warming of acupuncture points. Sometimes cones are burnt on top of a slice of ginger or a mound of sea salt.
Auricular acupuncture
Tiny needles and/or press seeds in the outer ear – good for calming anxiety, strengthening the organs and combating addiction.
Guasha
Moving Qi by running an implement over the skin. Great for relaxing tense muscles and relieving hot flushes.
Tui na
Chinese medical massage and Acupressure – stimulating points without piercing the skin.
Yang Sheng Advice
Poor diet and unwise lifestyle cause most of modern, Western disease. A course of acupuncture should facilitate self-healing, but for a long-term improvement, changes in lifestyle are often necessary. With up-to-date advice, we work as a partnership to evaluate which recommended changes would be most beneficial.