What is involved in a session?

Your first treatment takes somewhat longer as your therapist will need to take a full medical history from you. This will include any details on current or past medication, operations, accidents etc. Your family history is also recorded. During this time physical data is collected regarding your blood pressure, weight, skin tone and occasionally urine sample.

You will then be left to undress to your under garments so that acupuncture treatments can commence.

Acupuncture points are swabbed with medical Steriwipes prior to any needle insertion. The needles may be left in place for a period of time or removed immediately. This is dictated by the practitioners evaluation of your condition.

Prior, during and after treatment the acupuncturist will take a 'reading' of your pulses. This is not the same as your GP would do as an acupuncturist is trained to look for minute changes in the pulses that can indicate physiological conditions. Pulse taking is generally taken on both wrists.

Another technique of the acupuncturist is Moxibustion. This involves heating the relevant acupuncture points with smouldering mounds of 'moxa' a herb of the genus Artemesia Vulgaris. Whilst this may sound somewhat frightening it is actually very relaxing for the patient.

Some acupuncture treatments may require the use of electro-stimulation using tiny currents of electricity passed through the acupuncture needle. Again, its not as bad as it sounds and all that is felt is a mild tingling in the area treated.