Does acupuncture hurt?
and Can I have acupuncture if I’m scared of needles?

This is a very sensible question we are being asked by nearly all our new patients. Although the practice of acupuncture involves the insertion of needles into parts of the body it is rarely painful. The needles we use are extremely thin (much thinner than a hypodermic needle), and in most cases, the insertion is quite shallow.

There are however instances when you may feel a sense of tightening, vibration, warmth, or electric pulse radiating from the point of needling. This is usually instigated deliberately by us, the practitioners, to enhance the therapeutic effect, and we will let you know about it in advance. In any case, if you feel uncomfortable at any time, just let us know, and we will pull the needle out. You have control of the situation.

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Finally, once all the needling is done most patients seem to drift into a dreamy, relaxed state. Breathing gets deeper, some drift daydreaming, some snooze, some prefer to have a chat, and sometimes all of it happens during a single session. It’s quite special. We think you might like it.

How many acupuncture treatments will I need?

It depends. Whether your condition is acute or chronic, your general background state of health, your age, current or ongoing changes in the physical or emotional environment, etc. – you are wonderfully complex, and, in most cases, it is very hard to be conclusive about the length of one’s course of treatment. In general, acute conditions could be moderated quite quickly whereas chronic conditions may need longer treatments. 

As such, we rarely prescribe a set course. We expect to deliver the maximum result from the first treatment onwards, and although some cases demand more than ‘one hit wonder’ to make any changes we expect that within a couple of treatments, your subjective experience of improvement will inform you of whether you would like to pursue further sessions. It is you who decide whether this is worth your while. In any case, once the initial consultation is done and we have your details you are welcome for
a session at any point in the future. Next week, next month, next year, any time.

Can acupuncture help me stop smoking?

Yes. Acupuncture is used to manage the withdrawal symptoms from several substances and nicotine is one of them. Because the main treatment aim is to lower the anxiety and hyper-vigilance that can occur during the early
period of cessation, this type of treatment is recommended to be taken in relative regularity during the early stages of one’s journey. Other aspects of one’s health, such as regulating the respiratory system, bowels, appetite, sleep, etc are managed as well and are personally tailored to each individual.

It is important to note that, as in any cessation protocol, no one thing will magically remove a long-lasting habit from one’s mind. Strong resolution for a positive change, adoption of new healthy habits, and removal of obvious triggers are paramount for a deep change in one’s lifestyle. We just help to take the edge off and tell you how fantastically well you are doing!

Can acupuncture help with anxiety?

Yes! Acupuncture has a well-established track record of managing anxiety and stress-related symptoms. You are welcome to view a brief review of the research in the area on our website in the ‘what do we treat’ section but in a nutshell, the right acupuncture treatment can re-configure your neurological state. Changing the fight and flight (sympathetic) mode to a relaxed (parasympathetic) mode will change for better appetite and gut reactivity, quality of sleep, energy levels, general immunity, and more (..and yes, your headspace as well). Physiological details aside, it can be just as beneficial to simply have a chat in a non-judgemental space, offload a little, recognize that we are not alone, and get some of our lifestyle tips that may help to improve your quality of life.

Can acupuncture help with RSI?

Acupuncture can be effective in treating repetitive strain injury (RSI).
As a general principle, acute conditions could be moderated relatively quickly, whilst chronic ones may demand a longer, regular course of treatment. However, It is important to point out, that RSI has a significant relationship to one’s lifestyle and working environment and as such, in order to enhance the therapeutic process it is strongly recommended that when possible, corrective changes such as improved ergonomics, temporary reduction of physical load on the affected area, and
regular stretching/exercise should be applied in conjunction to the treatment.

Can acupuncture help with sports injuries?
Can acupuncture help with tennis elbow?
Can acupuncture help with knee damage?
Can acupuncture help with groin strain?

Yes! Acupuncture can be very effective in treating orthopedic (musculoskeletal) disorders. As a general principle, acute conditions could be moderated relatively quickly, whilst chronic ones may demand a longer, regular course of treatment.

Administration of acupuncture in the right locations can reduce muscle spasticity, inhibit, or gradually moderate chronic pain, and assist in the remodelling of damaged underlying connective tissue structures. Treatment may also include a heat lamp to warm the affected area (very pleasant!), cupping therapy, massage, or electroacupuncture stimulation.

Can acupuncture help with regaining muscle mass after a chronic injury?

Acupuncture can assist in the process of regaining muscle mass after injury. Muscles are live tissue and as such, they respond to environmental demand. Regular increase of load to a particular muscle will trigger the growth of its mass and a decrease in training, or total inactivity will do the exact opposite.

Training after long-term injury may initially cause muscular pain, which acupuncture can pacify. This allows further training, which, as capability and stamina increase may result in further muscular discomfort, which the next acupuncture session will address, and so on. In other words, regular acupuncture treatments will support a regular, gradual increase in
training, which in turn will increase muscle mass and performance.