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ACUPUNCTURE |
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| NICK LAMPERT BA, PhD, DipAc, MBAcC, MRCHM, CertAc (Nanjing) |
| MARGARET EHRENBERG BA, PhD, MRCHM, ISRM, LSSMDip, DipAc MBAcC, CertAc (Kunming) |
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Acupuncture uses fine needles inserted at specific points on the body surface to restore or maintain health. It is a powerful therapy which originated in China over 2000 years ago and has been practised and developed ever since. It is part of the wider system of Traditional Chinese Medicine which also includes herbal medicine, dietary therapy, manipulation and massage.
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Nick Lampert treating a client with acupuncture |
Chinese Medicine understands the workings of the body quite differently from Western Medicine, and diagnosis begins by asking questions about all aspects of your health. Close examination of your tongue and the quality of your pulses also gives us important information. We are looking at what sort of imbalances there are in your energy or Qi, and where they are, that are causing your problem. This may be in one organ in your body - if your Lungs lack energy you may find breathing difficult or be susceptible to colds; Qi may go the wrong way - indigestion or vomiting suggests Stomach energy is going up when it should go down; pain results from Qi getting stuck in one place and not able to flow smoothly, while chronic tiredness is often the result of insufficient Qi in the body as a whole.
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Some problems are caused by too much heat or cold or damp in the body, or not enough moisture, or Yin, to cool the system - such as frequently occurs in women during the menopause; Yang, or warm, energy may be insufficient and you may feel cold or it may rise, like fire out of control, a frequent cause of headaches. As well as diagnosing your problem in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine we like to be able to understand and explain to you how we think your imbalances have arisen, so that you can make adjustments to your diet or lifestyle (eg taking more exercise, or allowing more time for relaxation) so that the problem does not re-emerge at a later date. The practitioner will then work out a course of treatment to correct the imbalances, choosing which acupuncture points are most appropriate for you.
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Acupuncture is currently used in hospitals throughout China. It has also become increasingly popular in the West in recent years, and has been the subject of numerous clinical trials. The World Health Organisation has recognised its success in the treatment of a wide range of diseases.
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| WHICH DISEASES CAN ACUPUNCTURE TREAT ? |
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| Acupuncture is frequently effective in treating the following conditions: |
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Headaches and migraines |
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Arthritis and rheumatic conditions |
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Back pain and sciatica |
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Sprains and the after-effects of injuries |
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A wide variety of other painful conditions |
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Anxiety, tension, depression, insomnia |
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Asthma, coughs, bronchitis |
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Hayfever, sinusitis, rhinitis, catarrh |
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Digestive and bowel disorders, including diarrhoea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome |
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Menstrual and gynaecological disorders including pre menstrual tension |
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Fatigue and weakness |
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Smoking addiction |
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Facial paralysis and trigeminal neuralgia |
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Acupuncture is sometimes effective in treating the following conditions: |
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Urinary problems including chronic cystitis |
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Haemorrhoids |
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Chronic skin diseases |
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Eye conditions |
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Tinnitus and hearing disorders |
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Dizziness and vertigo |
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Impotence |
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Morning sickness |
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High blood pressure |
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Circulatory disorders |
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After-effects of stroke |
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In addition to the above, many other disorders have been treated with success and it is always worth enquiring about any problem that you may have. |
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| TREATMENT |
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Acupuncture used with |
Your initial appointment will include a detailed consultation to discuss details of your problem, as well as many other aspects of your health. The practitioner will feel your pulse and have a close look at your tongue, both of which are important aspects of diagnosis in Chinese Medicine. Then, a number of very fine needles, usually between 8 and 12, will be inserted in precise locations, some usually near the site of your problem and others elsewhere on your body, often on your lower legs or arms. You will feel a tingling, numbness or dull ache where the needle is inserted. The needles are usually left in for 20 minutes during which time you will be able to relax. Sometimes moxa, a dried herb will be burnt near or at the ends of the needles which is soothing and gives a deep penetrating healing warmth; electro-acupuncture, giving gentle electrical stimulation, cupping or massage may also be used, or tiny ear studs may be left in your ear to give continued stimulation. You may be given advice on changes in your diet, habits or lifestyle.
The number of treatments will depend on the condition and how long you have had it. Typically about 6-10 sessions will be needed, but it could be less and possibly many more in the case of long-term chronic complaints. |
moxa
electro-acupuncture
and cupping
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| YOUR SAFETY |
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Disposable needles are always used to ensure that the strictest standards of sterilisation are maintained (approved by the Department of Health) to protect against HIV, Hepatitis B or any other virus. |
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