Acupuncture is part of a system of health care called Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Traditional Chinese Medicine is one of the oldest surviving medical systems in the world, it originated in China over 2000 years ago and is recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to be the second most widely used system of health care alongside Western Medicine.

The underlying principle behind TCM is that Qi or vital energy flows through our body in pathways or channels known as meridians. Pain or illness occurs when this Qi or vital energy is blocked and is unable to flow freely within these meridians, signifying that the body is out of balance.

Acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely thin, sterile, single use, disposable needles into specific points on the body to address the signs and symptoms presented. Acupuncture works to restore and maintain the body’s natural balance by stimulating its own healing response. It aims to treat the whole person, so it can be effective for a wide range of problems – physical, mental and emotional.

A typical “course” of acupuncture is dependent on each person and his or her health concern. Some people respond very quickly and require only a few treatments, while others require more. In my clinical experience and as reported in the literature, chronic conditions typically take longer to treat, while acute conditions usually require fewer visits. A clear treatment plan outlining the recommended number of treatments will be provided to you.