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Acupuncture Nottingham

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What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a system of healing that has been practised for over 2,500 years. It is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is used widely in China and other Eastern countries. It involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body along lines known as meridians or channels, with the aim of improving the flow of qi (energy or life force) and bringing about a therapeutic and beneficial effect. Treatments are tailored to the individual, and the points used will vary according to the client’s symptoms and general health.

What can acupuncture be used to treat?

Acupuncture is a holistic treatment based on the idea that optimum health is achieved by restoring balance throughout the entire body, creating physical, emotional and mental equilibrium. Rather than just targeting a symptom, it seeks to address the underlying root cause of the symptom, thereby improving overall health in the process. Because of this, it is not unusual for someone to find that apparently unrelated complaints improve at the same time during the course of treatment.

Acupuncture is often considered a valuable alternative treatment in areas where conventional medicine has not fully resolved symptoms, or where medications have been ineffective or have caused unpleasant side-effects. Its strength lies in its ability to promote self-healing from within, encouraging the body’s natural processes of homeostasis. However, there is no need for an ‘either/ or’ approach with acupuncture: instead of replacing conventional medicine altogether, it can be used as a complementary therapy.

Because it is holistic in nature, acupuncture may be helpful for a wide variety of medical conditions. Examples include migraines, tension headaches, arthritis, hormonal imbalances, fertility issues, digestive problems such as IBS, acute or chronic pain, overactive bladder, anxiety or stress-related issues, back pain, or any condition where the client simply feels that their body is out of balance. It can also be used in a preventative way, for promoting good health and aiding relaxation. Clients often report an increase in energy, a reduction in stress, feeling healthier overall, and having improved wellbeing.

Fertility and IVF 

Around 9 to 15% of couples experience fertility problems, and these can affect both men and women. Infertility (or subfertility) is defined as failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sex. There are numerous possible causes for this, and even after extensive medical testing, around 20% of infertile couples are diagnosed as having ‘unexplained infertility’, when no specific cause can be identified. It is thought, however, that stress can sometimes interfere with hormone levels and affect normal ovulation. This is known as ‘stress-induced anovulation’. People having acupuncture often report a reduction in stress levels and an increase in feelings of relaxation, positivity and wellbeing.

During IVF, acupuncture may be used specifically around the time of embryo transfer to increase chances of a successful outcome. A study published in the British Medical Journal in February 2008 concluded that when combined with IVF, 'acupuncture increased the odds of clinical pregnancy by 65%’.

IVF can also be a stressful and emotional experience, and there may be physical side-effects from the medications involved. Acupuncture treatments are intended to support the client through this process with the aim of relieving stress and the emotional toll of IVF treatment.

Often couples choose to have acupuncture treatments prior to embarking upon IVF. Alongside other lifestyle and health changes, this can be a helpful part of preparing physically and emotionally.

Acupuncture can also be used safely throughout pregnancy and in preparation for labour.

What does an acupuncture treatment involve?

A treatment starts with the practitioner taking the client’s medical history and asking questions about various aspects of their life that may impact on their health. Usually the client’s pulse will be taken and their tongue examined. Acupuncture points will then be chosen and needles inserted and left for anywhere up to 30 minutes.

Usually a course of treatments is recommended. This will vary in length and frequency depending on the condition being treated and the health of the client, but a typical course is 4-6 weekly treatments, followed by maintenance sessions when needed.

Does acupuncture hurt?

The acupuncture needles are sterile, individually-wrapped, single-use needles, which are very fine, and much thinner than a needle used for an injection. The client may experience mild discomfort when the needles are inserted, although often this is quite painless. Once the needles are in place, some clients experience a slight tingling or a dull ache but many clients feel nothing at all and find this a relaxing part of the treatment.

Traditional acupuncture vs MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE

People often ask what the difference between traditional Chinese acupuncture and Medical Acupuncture is. Medical Acupuncture is a western technique where acupuncture needles are inserted primarily for pain relief and to treat muscular and joint conditions. The points used are not necessarily traditional acupuncture points, but are placed in and around the area that is painful or injured. It is thought that this results in the body producing a number of natural chemicals, such as pain-relieving endorphins, and may help to promote healing. Medical Acupuncture is not a holistic treatment as it simply targets the symptoms of pain or muscular tension, but it can be extremely effective. Our acupuncturist has trained in both dry needling and traditional acupuncture techniques, and will typically combine these when treating musculoskeletal conditions.

Acupuncture is available at our West Bridgford clinic. For Traditional Chinese acupuncture you can see Matt.

TREATMENT prices

1 hour appointment £55

A 24 hour cancellation policy is now being used.

Please note our prices are adjusted annually on September 1st in line with the Retail Price Index. 

Gift vouchers can now be bought online.

 

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  • I had neck and shoulder pain and discomfort for several weeks.I finally decided on trying acupuncture (I had no knowledge or experience of acupuncture but thought I would give it a try) I attended the clinic early evening on September 1 st .My experience was excellent .I had a massage and acupuncture that lasted one hour the cost was £45, it was money well spent.By the next morning I felt 90% better with only a small amount of residual discomfort left. Imogen was excellent, knowledgeable and respectful. I can certainly recommend acupuncture at this clinic 5 star treatment.

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