Acupuncture in Leeds
Acupuncture is an ancient and holistic system of healing, it treats the whole person to improve general well-being as well as helping individual symptoms.
According to traditional Chinese philosophy, our health is dependent on the body's energy (known as Qi ) moving smoothly through a series of channels or meridians beneath the skin. Qi is made up of equal and opposite parts - Yin and Yang - and when these become unbalanced, then illness may result.
Trained acupuncturists insert fine needles into the skin at very specific points on the body. This is believed to encourage the body's ability to heal itself and to restore its natural balance.
- What can acupuncture help?
- Acupuncture in Leeds at the Good Health Centre
- Acupuncture treatment
- Does it hurt?
- What to expect
- Cautions and care
- Regulation and Training
- Find out more
What can acupuncture help?
Acupuncture is used to treat a wide range of problems.
- Pain: most types of chronic pain; including neck and back pain, pain from arthritis and sports injuries.
- Nerve pain including trigeminal neuralgia, trapped nerves and sciatica.
- Chronic muscle strains and plantar fasciitis
- Migraines, chronic headaches and sinusitis
- Anxiety, stress and depression
- Bowel and digestive problems.
- Tiredness and chronic fatigue syndrome
- Menstrual and menopausal symptoms and infertility
- Bladder problems and irritability
- Hay fever, allergies and rhinitis
- Nausea and vomiting following operations.
- Auricular acupuncture (putting needles into the ear) is often used for addiction problems including alcohol, smoking and binge eating.
- Acupuncture is used during pregnancy, for back pain, morning sickness and for pain relief during childbirth.
Acupuncture in Leeds at the Good Health Centre
Amittai Sevi
Douglas Sutherland
Dr Wenqing Li
Cheryl Mason
Dr Robert Maida
Acupuncture treatment
Our experience of needles is usually limited to injections and blood tests, so many people are frightened of the concept of acupuncture.
Does it hurt?
Acupuncture needles are much finer than conventional medical needles, so the feeling when they are inserted is more like a tingling or a dull ache rather than the sharp bee-sting sensation of an injection.
Needles are inserted either for a second or two, or may be left in place for 30 minutes or more, depending on the effect needed. You may feel a heaviness in your arms and legs or you may just experience a pleasant relaxation.
The benefits of acupuncture frequently include more than just relief from a particular condition. Many people find that it can also lead to increased energy levels, better appetite and sleep as well as an enhanced sense of overall well being.
What to expect
The acupuncturist will ask you about symptoms and your medical history and any medication you are taking.
A traditional acupuncturist will feel your pulse, on both wrists and examine at your tongue.
Loose, comfortable clothing should be worn to allow access to the acupuncture points.
The practitioner will then insert fine needles into your skin at specific places, called acupuncture points, there are over 500 of these and they may be located far away from the pain or other symptom. For example, although you may suffer from headaches, needles may be inserted in your foot or hand.
The needles may be moved, manipulated or stimulated electrically and heat may be used by burning a herb called moxa. Acupuncture points may also be stimulated stimulated by massage.
The number of treatments you need will depend on your condition, however you can usually expect to notice improvements within around five or six sessions.
Cautions and care
Research in the British Medical journal confirmed that when carried out by a competent practitioner, acupuncture is a very safe therapy. Serious side effects can occur after acupuncture but the risk has been estimated as less than 1 per 10,000 treatments.
It is important to let your therapist know if you have any medical problems including fits and faints, if you have a pacemaker or heart valve damage. Heart or lung disease, cancer, clotting problems or if you are taking anticoagulants or any other medication including complementary remedies or aspirin.
At the Good Health Centre our trained therapists always use sterile, disposable needles.
It's sensible not to plan anything strenuous after treatment because symptoms may sometimes get worse for a short time or you may feel tired and light headed. if you are feeling unwell don't drive until the drowsiness or dizziness passes.
Occasionally you may feel pain or have a little bleeding or bruising after treatment.
Regulation and Training
The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) represents professional acupuncturists who have an extensive training in acupuncture and the biomedical sciences appropriate to the practice of this therapy. Members practise a recognised and traditional style of diagnosis and treatment therapy. This has been developed and refined over 2000 years and provides patients with an holistic approach to maintaining health and managing illness.
There is no government legislation in the UK covering acupuncture at present. This means that unfortunately anyone can currently provide acupuncture treatment without any professional acupuncture training whatsoever.
Find out more
The British Acupuncture Council
www.acupuncture.org.uk
The Princes Foundation for Integrated Health
www.fih.org.uk
