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Does acupuncture hurt? |
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It is not completely true to say that you don’t feel a thing when acupuncture needles are inserted. However, the needles are so thin that the sensation is not at all comparable with that of a medical injection. Acupuncture needle insertion is almost or completely painless; however, once the needle touches the acupuncture point, you can experience a dull achy sensation, or tingling. Overall, in my experience of patients nervous about needles, they are usually pleasantly surprised at how painless it is. |
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How do you guarantee that I will not be infected by the needles? |
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The needles I use are disposable, come pre-sterilized and are only used once. I adhere to the rigorous health and safety procedures of the British Acupuncture Council and the Fundación Europea de Medicina Tradicional China. |
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How does acupuncture work? |
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Chinese medicine is a beautiful system in its conciseness and logic of looking at a human body as manifestation of biological energy that travels through certain meridians in the body and is responsible for our well-being. Being unwell is the manifestation of this energy not flowing properly, which can be corrected by the insertion of the needles.
According to Western medical studies, acupuncture has a profound effect on the body at the level of the endocrine and nervous system. It benefits every process in the body by reducing stress. |
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Can acupuncture cure diseases once and for all? |
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Regulatory bodies of all serious complementary therapies, including acupuncture
and Shiatsu, prohibit their members from claiming to be able to "cure" diseases.
This is in order not to make claims one may not be able to fulfil. The human body
is a very complex mechanism, in which many factors come into play, thus the manner
in which a particular disease develops can be different for different individuals.
It does happen sometimes that symptoms disappear without a trace; also often that
they are alleviated, but come back from time to time. As a rule of thumb, the more
chronic the condition, the longer it will take to make the difference. |
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Will it leave me with scars? |
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No. If your skin is particularly sensitive, you may have tiny marks left by the
needles for a few days. |
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How long is the treatment? |
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The session usually lasts from 45 min to 1 hour, of which the needles stay in for
about 20 minutes. |
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Does acupuncture have any side-effects? |
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Acupuncture is remarkably safe. The British Medical Association (the organization
that regulates doctors in the UK) has looked extensively into the research on acupuncture
safety, and found the results reassuring (Acupuncture: Efficacy, Safety and Practice,
BMA 2000).
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Are there any contra-indications for acupuncture? |
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Yes. They are as following: Haemophilia or being on blood-thinning drugs (for example,
Warfarin); Unstable epilepsy (when a patient can have a fit with needles in); During
pregnancy, a number of acupuncture points are contraindicated; For patients with
a pacemaker, electro-acupuncture is contraindicated; Needle allergy |
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How many treatments would I need? |
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That depends on the individual and the condition. As a rule of thumb, the more chronic
and stubborn the condition, the more treatments you will need to alleviate it. |
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What happens at an acupuncture session? |
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The first session starts with a consulation, where the practitioner will ask you
many questions about various aspects of your health to help make TCM diagnosis.
The practitioner will also look at your tongue and feel your pulse. You receive
acupuncture treatment lying on the couch. The needles stay in for approximately
20 minutes, and the practitioner is present in the room for that time. |
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What happens at a Shiatsu session? |
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Your first session will include 15 minute consultation on specific problems you
may have, as well as your general health. You will keep your clothes on for the
session, which is normally done on the thick mat, but can also be done on a couch.
The session lasts for approximately 1 hour. |
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What shall I wear for an acupuncture session? |
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It is best to wear clothes that can be easily rolled up to expose points on the
arms and legs. Please do wear underwear. |
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What shall I wear for a Shiatsu session? |
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As Shiatsu is done through the clothes, it is best to wear loose, comfortable clothes.
Jeans are not good, as they inhibit stretches and rotations, and it is preferable
for women to wear trouses, rather than skirts. |
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Castellano
