Your consultation

What it involves:


I will take a medical history of your condition which including the problem, when it started and how it has progressed. This will include the nature and severity of the problem, and questions about the patients' lifestyle in order to gain a full picture of how the body is functioning.

The examination may include:

  • looking at the tongue
  • feeling the wrist pulse
  • palpation of the affected area
  • palpation of the abdomen
  • range of joint movement
  • blood pressure
  • reflex tests

From this we obtain important information on how the body is functioning.

In the case of acupuncture treatment, it involves fine sterile needles being inserted through the skin to various depths, depending on the point. The patient is continually monitored as to how they feel, and the pulse may be monitored throughout treatment.

After insertion if there is no "deqi" feeling (see does acupuncture hurt?), the needles are manipulated to elicit one. The amount of disrobing necessary depends on the choice of points used, which may include only wrists and ankles or lower leg. It is useful to wear loose comfortable clothing for this reason so you can be as at ease as possible.

It is likely that more disrobing will be necessary for bodywork treatments. In this case can be useful to bring some shorts, but be assured that your comfort will be respected and towels are available for warmth etc.

Patients are assured that they are in control, and that they can stop the acupuncturist and go as slow as they want. Some people begin looking forward to the session with apprehension, but end up looking forward to the experience and enjoying it.

A wide range of the things I treat have lifestyle components, stress and dietary related factors so guidance and advice according to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine are also part of the service.

The length of a course of treatment is difficult to determine before consultation. Some people I have treated only need to come 2 or 3 times, and others require ongoing treatment over a long period of time for their problems. Generally speaking the longer the person has had a condition the longer it takes to remedy, although there are occasionally quite remarkable results.

It is important to have eaten before the treatment since on an empty stomach acupuncture can cause some side effects like dizziness, feeling feint and nausea, although this is rare. It is also good to drink plenty of water and to avoid alcohol on the day of the session to make the most of your treatment.