About – What to Expect

What to Expect from your Visit

Your initial consultation will be up to 90 minutes duration in order to allow me to complete detailed fact finding and diagnosis. Follow on consultations, if required, will typically be shorter and from 60 to 75 minutes.

The initial consultation starts with a detailed discussion about the health condition you are presenting with or your wellness goals, typically lasting 15 to 20 minutes. I will ask you questions and write up a record of your responses and my diagnosis for filing. I will select a set of acupuncture points and record these on the consultation form.

Focus then moves to the treatment and you will remove any clothing necessary for me to access the selected points and position yourself comfortably on the table.

Acupuncture needles are very different to those used in the hospital and are about the thickness of a human hair. They are inserted with a quick tap of my finger and you will feel a slight sensation but no pain.

When all of the needles are in place I will switch off the lights, cover you warmly, and put on some gentle music. The needles are left in for up to 25 minutes while you close your eyes and relax, or even slip into sleep.

While you are on the table I will prepare Naturopathic guidance for you to follow in order to enhance the effect of your acupuncture treatment. This may include dietary adjustments, lifestyle recommendations, supplements which you should take, and other advice. All of this information will be recorded on my Naturopathic guidance form for you to take away.

After the needles are removed I will sit down with you to walk through and explain the Naturopathic guidance form.

How Long does a Course of Treatment Take?

This is determined by many factors, whether the condition is chronic or acute, what state your constitution is in, how severe the imbalances are, and whether there are any factors in your life which are exacerbating your condition.

For chronic conditions patients typically come weekly until the symptoms have significantly improved. Normally I expect to see improvement within 3 or 4 treatment sessions but it may take longer if the condition is severe or has been present for a long time.

When the condition improves I usually recommend decreasing the frequency of treatment, eventually seeing the patient only occasionally and delivering a “top-up” treatment in order to ensure that the imbalance does not return. This is a little like visiting your Doctor or Dentist for a check-up.

For patients who are not presenting with a condition and whose goal is maintaining wellness I will recommend a program of treatments on a periodic basis, for example once per month.

Will I Feel Different after a Treatment?

Normally patients feel very relaxed or even drowsy after a treatment. It typically takes 1 or 2 days for them to see improvement as it takes the body time to adjust to the changes brought about by the treatment. The exceptions to this are acute conditions such as headache, blocked nose, back and shoulder pain where it is common for the patient to get relief at the time of treatment and see measurable improvement.