Acupuncture
What can Acupuncture offer you?
The principles of Traditional Acupuncture focuses on Mind, Body & Spirit, therefore, focusses on the patient as an individual and not just their illness or disability.
Many people choose acupuncture to relieve specific conditions such as Back Pain, Migraines & Depression. Regardless of reason, the overall aim is to restore both physical and psychological imbalances, thus promoting an improved quality of life. Many others have treatment simply because they find it beneficial and relaxing. Evidently, the overall aim is to restore both physical and psychological imbalances, thus promoting an improved quality of life.
The consultation involves an element of physical examination, and may include palpation of any tender or problem areas, temperature distribution, Blood Pressure and pulse taking and an in-depth discussion regarding past and current health issues as well as your general well-being. This examination is relevant whatever your health issues may be, as it just tells us about the way your individual system works. It means that you may be asked to take some items of clothing off (never your underwear).
What does treatment involve?
I will be using very fine, sterilised, single-use needles for your treatment. The number of needles is kept to a minimum, and they may be inserted and removed immediately, or left in for up to 20-30 minutes. Most people notice a tingling or slight dull ache during or after treatment, however, only usually lasts a few minutes and most people find the whole experience very relaxing.
Preparing for the appointment
Eating a light meal up to an hour before treatment is advised.
The consultation followed by the first treatment may take around 90 minutes, but please allow plenty of time. It will be very useful if you keep make up and scented products to a minimum (please do not use perfume), and wear loose, comfortable loose clothing with easy access to forearms and lower legs. Please also bring with you a list of the names/doses of any medications you are taking.
After the treatment
Some people find that they feel more relaxed, even to the point of being quite sleepy, after their first acupuncture treatment. You should be fine to drive, however, please consider alternative transportation if you have a long journey. Furthermore, ensure you drink plenty of water following treatment to ensure you are well hydrated and rest where possible.
Acupuncture & Fertility
The start of a new life is what many people would suggest as a natural part of growing up, settling down and starting one’s own family. For many couples this will just be perfectly straightforward and go on to have healthy babies and hopefully without any complications during pregnancy. However, for a significant number of couples it can be an incredibly frustrating, disappointing and stressful time. Evidently causing immense psychological pain and grief as their ability to conceive proves difficult.
1 in 7 couples have difficulty conceiving in the UK. Are you one of these couples? Have you already tried fertility treatment such as IVF and been unsuccessful or are not quite ready to go down that line of treatment yet? Maybe you are already having treatment and want to combine it with alternative and more holistic therapies to give the treatment the best possible chances of being successful?
Acupuncture has been used as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years to restore, promote and maintain good health. Acupuncture can increase fertility and help with any underlying issues that may be contributing towards this, all of which result from imbalances found within the body.
I have treated numerous patients in my Acupuncture clinic for infertility with both Acupuncture alone and Acupuncture alongside IVF. All of which have come in to see me as a result of their infertility for numerous reasons, including:
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Thyroid problems
- Problems with Ovulation and reduced oestrogen levels
- Scarring and/or, adhesions
- Endometriosis/Adenomyosis
- Fibroids
- Chromosome abnormalities
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Medication
- Poor thickness of their womb lining,
- Low sperm count in men
- Problems related to the testicles
However, many have had difficulties as a result of Unexplained Infertility. In the UK, unexplained infertility accounts for approximately 25% of cases of infertility. This is where there is no specific cause identified in either the woman or the man.
All of which can prove very tiresome on couples and can account for an increase in stress levels, anxiety and depression.
So, how can Acupuncture help?
Whether there is a cause of infertility is discovered or not, Acupuncture has become one of the most popular alternative therapies in helping with infertility. Furthermore, evidence suggests that conception rates have improved during IVF when acupuncture was performed. Acupuncture works by:
- Increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs (ovaries and endometrium- womb lining).and balancing the endocrine system
- By regulating hormone function, by increasing the blood flow to the ovaries and uterus and helping to relax the muscles in order to improve the chance of an embryo implanting,
- It also stimulates the hypothalamus which controls hormones, calms the mind and reduces stress, and improves LH (luteinising hormone) levels associated with ovulation
- In men it can increase sperm motility of the male sex hormone testosterone
- It can also help to lower the temperature of the scrotum in men (where sperm are stored) creating much better environment to keep sperm healthy.
- Helping to keep the normal flow of this energy unblocked, thereby increasing a couple’s chances of conceiving.
Therefore, overall, Acupuncture Therapists use acupuncture to restore the balance and thus can enable the natural processes of becoming a parent to be restored. This is established by inserting acupuncture needles to stimulate the nervous system, which can reduce stress, regulate hormone function, and increase the blood flow to the reproductive organs. This influences the body’s homeostatic mechanisms and balances the endocrine system in order to promote physical and emotional well-being again.