Who Will Provide Treatment?
Dr Simon Lloyd BSc (Hons) Chiro, DC & Dr Charlotte Cooley MSc Chiro, RGN have both undergone postgraduate training in ‘medical acupuncture’ and are qualified to provide treatment.
What Will Happen During My First Visit?
Initially a case history will be taken, and following this
a thorough physical examination (orthopaedic and neurological) will
be made. This will provide the necessary information to make a clinical
diagnosis. The results of the findings will be explained to you and
you will be informed about the proposed method of treatment as well
as any advice that may assist your condition.
What Does Treatment Feel Like?
Typically, you will feel very little during a treatment. Most people's
experience of needles is of those used in injections and blood tests.
Acupuncture needles bear little resemblance to these. They are much
finer and are solid rather than hollow.
Depending on the individual and the area being treated – the sensation
experienced may vary from a slight scratch, to a mild ache, to nothing
at all, or to deep relaxation and relief.
Is It Safe?
The risk of harm occurring as the result of acupuncture is probably
less than the risk of taking aspirin or an anti-inflammatory drug for
arthritus (these drugs can cause bleeding). This assumes, of course,
that the acupuncture is performed by someone with an adequate knowledge
of anatomy and medicine.
How many treatments will I require?
Sometimes one treatment is enough but this is unusual. Most people require
a course of roughly 6 treatments. At first you may be asked to come
back after a few days, and as improvement occurs the intervals between
treatments may then be longer.
References – British Acupuncture Council. www.acupuncture.org.uk
- Training Notes A. Campbell MRCP(UK) Dip. Med. Ac., F.F. Hom