What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient system of healing. The earliest acupuncture books were written 4500 years ago. It began with the discovery that the stimulation of specific areas of skin affected the functioning of certain organs of the body. It evolved into a system of healing as the connection between the skin and the organs was better understood and more sensitive ways of stimulation were devised. It is extremely effective in treating a wide variety of conditions through its power to stimulate the body’s own healing response which is one of its great strengths.
Diagnosis
Acupuncture begins with a diagnosis of the individuals energy imbalance.
A person’s energy is distributed through twelve energy pathways. Each pathway is associated with an organ and for each organ there are a variety of patterns of energy imbalance – these are called syndromes. Syndromes are recognised by a combination of signs and symptoms.
Each organ also has a pulse associate with it which informs the practitioner about the energy of that organ. The pulses are located on the radial artery at the wrist. The signs, together with several others, form the basis of diagnosis. The purpose of the diagnosis is to establish which pathways require adjustments for a specific condition.
Treatment.
Treatment is the process of re-establishing the energy balance. This is done in two ways. One is the insertion of fine, stainless-steel needles into acupuncture points, either stimulating or sedating the flow of energy of a specific pathway. The other is the application of warmth to the acupuncture point. These methods are often used in combination. As the balance improves, health improves.
What can acupuncture help?
Many people come to acupuncture for help with a specific symptom or condition. For example: anxiety states/stress, arthritis, asthma, back pain, cancer care, circulatory problems, depression, facial paralysis, fibrositis, muscular skeletal pain, infertility, menstrual problems, menopause, ME/post viral complications (including covid 19), migraines, pregnancy, sciatica, skin conditions, urinary problems, general tiredness or ulcers. Extensive practice and research has shown acupuncture’s effectiveness in helping these and many other conditions.
The effect of good acupuncture, however, is to do more than simply cure the symptom. Acupuncture directed at restoring the overall energy balance will deal with the condition and help the person feel better in a general way. Hence the frequent comment I’m feeling better in myself, which refers to such things as increased energy and vitality, greater enjoyment of life, greater confidence, better sleep or more normal appetite. The approach, where the whole person as well as the symptom is taken into consideration, is referred to as Traditional Acupuncture. It is contrasted with the symptomatic approach which uses treatment formulae for specific conditions and where no heed is paid to the overall energy balance.
Diagnosing and treating the person – rather than the disease, is particularly appropriate in two cases. Ther are some people who feel quite well in themselves, but do not have a sufficiently serious or ‘physical’ complaint to present themselves as ‘sick’. Traditional Acupuncture can diagnose the imbalance and restore well-being without the person having a named condition.
Many patients also come to an acupuncturist for preventative treatment. The aim is to maintain health rather than overcoming a specific condition.
What Happens when I come for Treatment?
For your initial visit the practitioner allows enough time to gather information on 1) your symptoms, the history and the treatment date 2) your medical and family history 3)the behaviour of your various systems, for example, how you sleep, whether your digestion is good and 4) your physical condition for example, distribution of body heat or the condition of your skin.
Generally, you will come weekly to begin with and then, as you improve, less frequently. The speed of improvement varies more according to the person rather than the label of the complaint. Sometimes improvement is dramatic and only a few treatments ae required. A period of months may be appropriate for chronic disease. Pre-sterilised disposable needles are used.
Does it Hurt?
Some people would like to try acupuncture but may not because they assume it will be painful. The needles we use are solid and much finer than those used for injections or withdrawing blood. In most cases only a slight prick is felt when the needle goes through the skin. When the needle reaches the acupuncture point there is another sensation often described as a dull ache. The sensation felt is generally acceptable and lasts only 1 or 2 seconds.
What about my Doctor?
If you have been seeing your doctor, you may want to tell him or her that you are coming for acupuncture. Acupuncturists prefer that you do for example, if you are on medication (other than drugs which cannot be replaced), then we would hope to reduce or eliminate our drug intake, and your doctor may need to be involved in any change of medication.
What are the Professional Standards? I trained at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine in Reading and am a member of the British Acupuncture Council. Members are bound by the Council’s Codes of Ethics and Practice. Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance is provided by the Council for all UK members.
About me
I have always had an interest in natural forms of medicine and healing. My horticultural/farming background also instilled in me a love of the natural world.
My interest in Chinese Medicine and training as an Acupuncture Practitioner started after spending time in China in 1992. Observing traditional forms of medicine was very interesting. The attraction to this form of therapy is its ability to work with the laws of nature. This enables the body to help itself.
I began training at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine in Reading in 1996. I graduated and gained my Licentiate in 1999. This training combines both the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Conventional Medical Sciences.
I am also a member of the British Acupuncture Council. I am also an active member of my Regional Practitioner Group. We support the Continual Professional Development of qualified practitioners.
I have an up to date First Aid qualification.
Tel: 07733367989
Heidibader969@gmail.com