The National Institute of Health and the World Health Organization indicate the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating:

Asthma

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Earaches

Eye disorders

Fibromyalgia

Gastrointestinal disorders

Headache

Lower back pain

Menstrual cramps

Myofascial pain

Nervous system and muscular disorders

Osteoarthritis

Respiratory disorders

Sinus inflammation

Stroke rehabilitation

Tennis elbow

Toothache

Further research is likely to uncover additional areas where acupuncture treatments are useful.

The chance of pain is slight since we use very thin needles. Sometimes, however, some persons may experience minor discomfort - a sign the treatment is working. If you let us know, we can try to adjust your treatment slightly.

You will lie on a massage table on your back or stomach, depending on which areas need to be treated. You will be draped with a sheet. The areas that need to be exposed to the needles remain uncovered.

The location of the needles varies depending on your symptoms. In general however, we commonly treat the forearms, legs, back and abdomen. We ask you to undress for the treatment to your level of comfort. Only the part of your body that is being treated needs to be revealed and you will be draped with a sheet.

It is important to wear loose clothing to ensure efficient blood, lymphatic and energy flow throughout your body during and after treatment. Women should avoid wearing one-piece dresses. It is also a good idea to dress in layers that can be removed to reveal key treatment areas and to avoid tight stockings. To avoid loss, do not wear jewellery.

We ask that you book treatments of at least 45 minutes. Many clients choose a 75 minute appointment, with needling combined with shiatsu.

The frequency of your treatments varies according to the nature of your condition. We will assess you and recommend a treatment schedule based on your unique case. For best results, it is important to follow the recommended schedule – just as when following a doctor’s prescription in terms of dosage, frequency and duration of prescribed medications to get the expected result.

Maintain good physical hygiene to reduce the chance of bacterial infection. It is advisable not to have your treatment on either an empty stomach or a full stomach. It is also best to avoid alcohol and vigorous exercises on the day of your treatment. Please avoid caffeine and hot baths immediately following your treatment.

Most patients feel relaxed and refreshed after treatments. Some may feel slightly drowsy, light-headed or even temporarily less focused due to the deep relaxation response. On rare occasions people may experience fatigue, dull aches or emotional reactions during or after treatment once the energy flow is unblocked. These sensations are only temporary. In cases of chronic illness, sometimes symptoms seem to temporarily worsen in a “healing crisis” – a positive sign that you are in a process of healing and rebalancing. Please phone or email us to let us know your concerns.

Acupuncture is safe and effective under most circumstances. However if you are ill with a high fever, have a cold or other infectious disease that could spread to other clients, we advise you to please reschedule your appointment. Also avoid scheduling a treatment when excessively fatigued or emotionally upset. We ask for 24 to 48 hours notice whenever possible before cancelling an appointment so that we may book other clients. Please call us to discuss any concerns.