Having a Treatment and Treatment Techniques
When a client arrives for a consultation and treatment, information is gathered about the condition, how it came about, what eases it and what aggravates it. Questions will also be asked about any previous medical tests and treatment, diet and digestion, sleep pattern and any stress experienced. The tongue will be viewed for colour and texture and the wrist pulses will be taken. Based on this examination a diagnosis will be made and treatment points selected.
Needles
Treatment may employ one or more of the techniques listed below. 10 – 15 needles may be used per treatment. Needles are left in place from 5 – 30 minutes. All needles are sterile, used once and discarded.
After treatment
Needles should be pain-free. They should not normally cause bleeding or bruising. It is normal to feel very relaxed especially after the first treatment. It is rare for people to feel faint after treatment but if you sometimes experience fainting attacks, it is important to have eaten within 2 hours of treatment. After treatment it is best not to undertake vigorous activity but to rest .
Treatment responses:
- no initial response to the first treatment then gradual improvement
after further treatments
- symptoms may temporarily become worse before they improve
- slow and steady progress over a course of treatments
- an immediate and long-lasting response
- it is important to have eaten
within 2 hours of treatment
Everyone’s response is individual and unpredictable however acupuncture has a build-up effect. Very often the more chronic the condition the more treatments are needed. For acute problems (no more than a few days old) results can be immediate, dramatic and long lasting. Treatment might required once or twice a week initially, then at longer intervals as the condition responds.
Body acupuncture
Very fine stainless steel needles are placed in precise points on the body and left from 5 to 30 minutes. Points may be located near the ailment or at a point distant from it.
Ear acupuncture
Tiny needles (or balls) of stainless steel or seeds are placed on specific points in the ear that correspond to parts of the body. They are kept in place with little plasters for up to 1 month at a time. They need to be pressed frequently during the day to stimulate the points. It is safe to shower with them in place.
Cupping
Cupping is the use of glass or bamboo cups or jars to create local stimulation of the circulation in areas of muscular stiffness and/or soreness
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is the use of the pressed herb Mugwort (Artemesia Vulgaris). It is heated and used to warm cold joints (without touching the skin), increase low energy or stimulate some points.
Electro-acupuncture
Electro-acupuncture is used to stimulate points for some conditions e.g. muscle wasting, anaesthesia, pain relief or smoking cessation. Little clips are attached to the needles and then gently vibrated for up to 20 minutes.
No needle acupuncture
A hand held point detector and stimulator is used to give treatment. This method is useful for people who are needle phobic and for children.
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