Hopefully you will find the answer to your question here.
Can acupuncture help with my symptoms?
The answer is probably, yes. People turn to acupuncture for a wide range of conditions, often things that we have learned to live with. It is widely accepted that acupuncture is beneficial for tension headaches, migraines, chronic lower back pain, TMJ (jaw) pain, osteoarthritic knee pain. Check here for other conditions
What happens at my first appointment?
We will probably already have chatted on the phone or by email but I’ll still have lots of questions to ask you about your current symptoms and much more! This allows me to get to know you and to get to the root of things. You’ll also have your first treatment in this session.
What shall I wear?
Wear loose fitting clothing that will roll up to your knees or elbows or bring something to change into. Don’t worry if you forget, we have plenty of towels and blankets if you have to come from work, for example, and need to remove any tight fitting or easily crumpled clothing.
Do I need to bring anything?
If you have a list of your medications that will be useful.
Should I eat before a treatment?
Definitely, don’t come on empty stomach
Does acupuncture hurt?
No, although there is definitely a sensation to be felt on most points; we call this “getting the qi or energy of the point.” A dull ache or pulling sensation is usually how it’s described but this wears off in a few seconds.
Are there any side effects?
Acupuncture has very few side effects and any that do occur are usually mild and self-correcting. Most people find acupuncture relaxing and often feel very calm after a treatment. You may feel a little tired or sleepy and should take this into account after your treatment. You might have a little bruise where some of the needles have been: this doesn’t happen often and is nothing to worry about.
How many sessions will I need?
The million dollar question! The honest answer is, it depends!! There are a number of factors to consider when answering this question including the nature of the condition as well as how deep or longstanding it is. Most people have a treatment weekly until a noticeable improvement is made, when treatments will be gradually spaced over longer periods. For acute and recent/mild conditions, generally 4-6 sessions are needed. For long-standing chronic/severe conditions I usually say 8-10.
How much does it cost?
Prices can be found here
Will my private health insurance cover the cost of my treatment?
Most health insurers will cover some or all of your costs (depending on your plan) as long as your acupuncturist is a member of an accredited professional body. I am a member of the Association of Clinical Acupuncturists and you can check here which insurers offer cover here