Acupuncture
What to expect on your first visit
Your first session consists of a thorough consultation. From that we can create a customised treatment for you, involving dietary, lifestyle & customised chinese herbal formula (if appropriate).
Fine acupuncture needles are inserted at chosen points to channel energy and stimulate the body's own natural ability to restore balance. You may also have a soothing heatlamp while you drift into relaxation in the soothing atmosphere of Shen clinic.
Many people are nervous about their first treatment, as they don't know what to expect. You will be talked through the full procedure with your acupuncturist, and acupuncture is a surprisingly relaxing treatment, you may even fall asleep.
How it Works
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) work to maintain the body's equilibrium by focusing on all aspects of wellbeing - physical, mental, and emotional.
Why we need acupuncture
Our health is dependant on the body's energy, qi (pronounced 'chee'), moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of channels beneath the skin, the flow of qi can be disturbed by any number of factors, including anxiety, anger, or grief - as well as poor nutrition, hereditary factors, infections and trauma. When the qi is unbalanced, health complications can result. Acupuncture stimulates the body's self-healing process by correcting the flow of energy and helping to:
Decrease pain by interrupting pain signals and releasing endorphins, your bodies natural painkiller. MRI readings show it can prompts changes in the brain.
Balance the nervous system influencing the production of hormones and neurotransmitters promoting physical and emotional wellbeing.
Improve blood flow and circulation increasing blood supply where needed and stimulating the bodies natural healing abilities, shown on doppler ultrasound
Reduce inflammation Thermal imaging has shown reduction of inflammatory markers in the body.
Promote healing aimed at the root of your condition, as well as your symptoms, meaning it's possible to a find a more permanent resolution to your problem.
Find out more about how acupuncture works at The British Acupuncture Council
Conditions treated
Many people have acupuncture to relieve specific aches and pains, such as: osteoarthritis of the knee, TMJ, headaches and lower back pain, or for common health problems like an overactive bladder.
Other people choose acupuncture when they can feel their bodily functions are out of balance, but they have no obvious diagnosis. And many have regular treatments because they find it so beneficial and relaxing.
Musculoskeletal (Sports Injuries, Bone Fractures and Breakages, Severe Bruising, Back and Spinal Pain, Neck and Shoulder Pain, Knee Injuries, Hip Damage, Whiplash- Book in with Hong)
Gastrointestinal (Indigestion, Gastric Pains, IBS, Peptic Ulcer, Constipation, Diarrhoea are some of the conditions treatable at the Shen clinic - Book in with Hong)
Respiratory (
Wellbeing, (Headaches and Migraines, Insomnia and Interrupted Sleep, Low Energy Levels, Stress and Anxiety, Depression- Book with Hong)
Skin conditions (Eczema, Psoriasis, Acne - Book with Hong)
Reproductive health (PCOS, Endometriosis, PMDD, PMS, Painful Periods- Book in with Flora)
Menopause and Perimenopause (Hot Flashes, Low mood, Rosacea, Weight gain- Book in with Flora)
Fertility & IVF (Book in with Flora)
Cosmetic Facial acupuncture (Book in with Flora)
For summaries of research and for conditions in which acupuncture can be beneficial, you can read more here.
It is necessary to say clearly that Traditional Chinese medicine should be considered as a complementary therapy and Shen clinic does not advocate it as an alternative to Western medicine. If you are in any doubt about your health or any symptoms you are experiencing you should consult your doctor. Shen Clinic and its practitioners do not claim to “cure” any ailment. There is a significant and growing body of evidence-based research demonstrating the effectiveness of certain acupuncture protocols for a wide range of conditions. The British Acupuncture Council maintains a set of fact sheets on these conditions. Because Traditional Chinese Medicine is tailored to the individual patient rather than a specific symptom or disease, the specific mechanism and benefits of acupuncture and herbal medicine are very difficult to demonstrate in randomised controlled trials which is the standard system for assessing Western medical treatments.