Acupuncture
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a tried and tested system of medicine. The Chinese and other Eastern cultures have been using acupuncture to restore, promote and maintain good health for thousands of years.
Today, more and more people are finding that acupuncture offers an effective solution to a wide range of health problems.
Traditional Chinese Acupuncture uses the principle of maintaining the body's physiological balance using acupuncture points on energy channels known as meridians. Diagnosis is made through observation of the tongue and pulses, and through gentle abdominal examination.
Usually (but not always!) acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles at specific points on the body.
What can acupuncture help?
- What can acupuncture help?
- Joint pain and sciatica
- Headaches and migraine
- Allergies and asthma
- Digestive problems
- Gynaecological problems
- Infertility
- Pregnancy management
- Breech babies
- Skin problems
- Stress and panic attacks
- Anxiety and depression
- Insomnia
- Post-viral and chronic fatigue syndromes
- Stroke rehabilitation
- Parkinson's Disease
Acupuncture can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, some of which are shown in the list on the left. Acupuncture can be used alongside conventional or other complementary therapies and it is a particular strength of The Ashgrove Clinic that practitioners are able to cross-refer or work together to ensure the best overall treatment for the individual.
The Consultation
In acupuncture, diagnosis is made through detailed consultation, observation of the tongue and pulses, and sometimes through gentle abdominal examination. On your first visit, a full case history will be taken, covering your medical background and any previous treatment you may have had.
It is important that you bring along details of any medication you are taking and you should avoid wearing scented cosmetics on the day of your acupuncture consultation.
What does it feel like?
This is probably the most commonly asked question and the hardest to answer! Acupuncture needles are extremely fine and not usually painful. The most common description of being needled is a dull ache or a tingling sensation.
Our Acupuncturist
Joy Bradley is our senior acupuncturist. Originally a microbiologist, she has significant experience within the Western medical system and often works with GPs and Consultants. She is a member of the British Acupuncture Council and has a particular interest in treating infertility and Parkinson's Disease.
