1. Will I need to get undressed during treatment?
Most of the acupuncture points are located between the elbow & hand, and the knee & foot. Therefore, for many conditions it is only necessary to roll up trousers & shirtsleeves - provided the clothes are loose enough! Obviously, there are occasions when it is necessary to remove clothing down to underwear, such as when treating back pain. Although the pain may be located in the lower back, it is often necessary to treat the whole spine especially if there is a long history of back problems. For women, it is better to unclip the bra when lying face down on the couch so that doctor can feel the muscles & acupuncture points on the back. The clip is refastened after treatment, and doctor will leave the treatment room to allow the patient to redress.
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2. Why have acupuncture treatments?
There are many possible reasons for considering acupuncture treatment and of course everyone has their own motivations.
Acupuncture is a safe and effective form of medicine. Acupuncture is holistic and aims to regulate the energetic of the body and bring it back into balance. Acupuncture treats both the symptoms and the root of an illness. Traditional Chinese Acupuncture can identify imbalances in the body at a very early stage. Acupuncture can treat signs and symptoms that may not have a clear Western medical diagnosis. Traditional Chinese medicine has been practiced over 2000 years, offering a well-established medical system, which has developed from observation and practice. Acupuncture can help you come off certain prescription drugs (with your GP's consent). Acupuncture can be a useful alternative if you do not wish to take prescription drugs for whatever personal or medical reasons. Offers a unique perspective of how we view the body and therefore can often give more understanding about a disease process and how it may have developed. Lastly, acupuncture may be the last alternative after trying everything else! It is not uncommon for patients to come to the clinic as a 'last measure'.
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3. What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient system of healing developed over thousands of years as part of the traditional medicine of China, Japan, and other Eastern countries. The earliest records of acupuncture date back over 3,000 years and today there are over 3 million practitioners worldwide. Traditional acupuncture is based on the principle that our health depends on the balanced functioning of the body s energy, known as Qi. When we are in perfect health all the energy runs harmoniously throughout our body. When an illness arises the flow of energy becomes disturbed and this can manifest in a diverse array of symptoms. Using very fine needles acupuncture aims to correct the flow of energy and by doing this the symptoms will be resolved. Blocked Qi (energy) may relate to areas on the body that are tender to touch, particularly cold or warm, or a different colour, which can also be seen as body massage that reflects some inner organ or system is wrong or disorder. These clues help practitioners decide which points need to be treated in order to bring the body back into balance. Acupuncture isn't just about using needles, and some patients prefer not to have needles. Other techniques may also be used such as acupressure, cupping or moxibustion.
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4. Does acupuncture hurt?
Usually nothing is felt as the needle penetrates the skin as the needles are not much thicker than a human hair. When the needle reaches certain depth of the acupuncture point some kind of sensation will be felt. This can be a feeling of numbness, or a mild ache, or an alive sensation, or even like some people describe it as weird. Most people find acupuncture to be a relaxing and positive experience.
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5. How does acupuncture work?
There is no simple answer to this question. In the orient it is sufficient to say that acupuncture stimulates and regulates our energy (or Qi). Within the West we are always looking for another explanation that more easily fits into our concept of what medicine is and how medicine works. Unfortunately no one can firmly say, acupuncture works by such and such method. The problem is that there are many different styles and techniques of acupuncture and they don t fit anyone particular model. We do have some understand about how acupuncture works, but we don1t have the complete picture. For example, when acupuncture is used as an analgesic for operations in China it is understood that the insertion and manipulation of acupuncture needles stimulates the production of the body s own natural painkillers - endorphins. At the other end of the scale, very gentle stimulation of the small toe of a 34 weeks pregnant woman, can cause the baby to turn into the correct position if it is lying in a breech position. This would not stimulate the body s endorphins. Instead other theories have emerged about the effect it has on the adrenal glands...another model for another type of acupuncture. In short, there are many theories about how acupuncture works but there are is no one conclusive answer.
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6. Does acupuncture really work?
Yes is the simple answer! Thousands of people can testify to the very dramatic results that can often be obtained through acupuncture. Within the UK most people have either experienced acupuncture or know of someone who has had acupuncture... so ask them! For example, the pain relief: from muscle spasm can be instantaneous after one treatment. Illnesses such as asthma or sinusitis are deeper-seated and take longer to treat. Success depends on many factors such as the general health of the patient, the severity and duration of the illness, and how their condition has been managed in the past. No two people are the same and it is one of the big strengths of acupuncture that we treat people individually to get better results. There is no single blanket treatment for asthma for example, treatment is always individualized. This is something often overlooked in acupuncture research since there is a tendency for the medical establishment to treat symptoms and not the individual, and this goes against the grain of what acupuncture is all about.
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7. What determines a course of acupuncture?
When you come for the initial consultation doctor can give you an idea of how many treatments you will need. This will give you an indication of what commitment you will need in terms of visits to the clinic and financial outlay. This will be a guideline and is not definite. Some conditions are more predicable to treat than others. For example, a recent shoulder injury would need around 3-4 treatments, and you would feel an improvement after each acupuncture session. In contrast, when doctor have treated stroke victims the results can be dramatic, or it can be very stubborn and difficult to treat. As a practitioner, and as a general rule, our doctor aims to see a change after every treatment. It has been an experience that if we can see progress after every acupuncture treatment, then the number of treatments required becomes less of a concern.
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8. Is acupuncture safe?
There was a recent paper in the British Medical Journal entitled, The York acupuncture safety study: prospective survey of 34 000 treatments by traditionalists. The paper looked at the type and frequency of reactions that can occur with acupuncture over a total of 34 407 treatments performed within the UK by professional acupuncturists. The most commonly reported mild transient reactions were feeling relaxed, and feeling energized, and these symptoms often indicate an encouraging response to treatment. In addition, we abide by the strict hygiene procedures set by the British Acupuncture Council and only use sterile disposable needles.
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9. Do I have to believe in acupuncture?
Quite simply, no! Of course, a positive attitude and state of mind will help any healing process but it is certainly not necessary that you believe in acupuncture for the treatment to be successful. Acupuncture is also used successfully on animals such as horses and dogs.
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10. Does everyone practice acupuncture the same?
There is a huge diversity of acupuncture practice all over the world. Within the UK there are different groups of individuals practicing acupuncture such as GPs, physiotherapists, nurses, and professional acupuncturists. The amount of training can differ considerably and the approach can be quite different between groups. So, it is very important to find the right people to do the acupuncture for you. Everwell Chinese Medical Centre is the most outstanding group providing Chinese remedy and acupuncture. All Chinese doctors in our stores are fully qualified in Chinese medicine. They all have extensive clinical experience in Chinese medicine.
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11. What do I expect doing the first consultation
Acupuncture is a holistic medicine and aims to discover the roots of any particular illness. Our doctor will discuss the main problem in detail and then ask other relevant questions about aspects of your health to help build up a complete picture and to put your illness into holistic context. After the discussion doctor will take your pulse and examine your tongue. Taking the pulse is Chinese Medicine differs enormously from Western medicine, as it is an important pillar of diagnosis, which helps give information about the state of your Qi and the status quo of your internal organs. A physical examination will be performed for any muscular-skeletal problems and it is common practice to palpate along acupuncture channels for a wide range of ailments. Each treatment is tailored according to the individual s presenting condition.
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12. How about the sterilization of the needles?
Disposable needles are always used to ensure that the strictest standards of sterilization are maintained (approved by the Department of Health) to protect against HIV, Hepatitis B or any other blood transmitted contagious disease.
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13. Is it OK to take Chinese herbs and western medicine simultaneously?
We usually ask you to tell us any medicines that you are taking so we can check that it's OK. Usually your body deals with Chinese herbs like it does with food so it won't interfere in western medicine. but we strongly recommend you to consult with our practioners first.
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14. How long should I keep taking the herbs? Is it an ongoing treatment?
It depends on what kind of problems you¡¯ve got? Usually we only give the Chinese herbs as long as it takes to re-balance your body, and after that it can look after itself or maybe give you milder treatment like herbal pills or something. You don't have to keep taking the herbal medicine all the time.
There is no addiction to herb.
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15.How Chinese herbs are prescribed?
Chinese medicine uses over thousand kinds of herbs (about three thousands are most commonly used) , mostly of plant origin (roots, seeds, flowers, leave, twigs and barks). These are hardly ever prescribed singly. They are combined into a formula, which usually contains between 8 and 12 different herbs. The exact combination is made to suit the patient's individual condition, and is likely to be altered as the treatment progresses to take account of changes that have occurred. It is therefore a very flexible system, which can be closely tailor made to the needs of the individual. The prescribed mixture of herbs is usually prepared by the patient as a decoction (boiled and then simmered in water) and taken twice a day. Consultations will be on average once a week, and you will be given enough herbs to last till the next appointment. In some cases the herbs may be given in granules form or as capsules/pills (these are not as strong as decoctions but are more suitable in those cases where longer-term treatment is indicated). In addition external treatments (ointments, washes, soaks) may be prescribed for skin problems.
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16.How long does the treatment last?
Duration of treatment will vary depending on the severity of the condition and how long you have had it. In some cases (especially with younger children) you can expect a good response in 2 to 3 weeks. For severe chronic problems you may need to take the decoctions for 8 to 12 weeks. In certain cases treatment may be even shorter or longer than these figures suggest.
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17. Is it safe to take Chinese herbs? Are there any side effects?
There have been some recent concerns about the safety of certain Chinese herbal medicines. These have arisen from the inclusion of illegal ingredients by some suppliers; either banned toxic materials or ingredients such as steroids which by law can only be supplied by doctors. Everwell observes the highest standards of safety and quality and is supplied exclusively by companies (members of the Chinese Medicine Association of Suppliers) with a proven commitment to those standards. Together with its commitment to safety and quality, Everwell fully supports worldwide conservation programmes, and no endangered species of animal or plant are used.
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18. What's the cost of the Chinese Herbs? Is it expensive?
Not really, normally the cost of our herbal tea is about ¡ê5* per bag for one or two days. Since you may normally take herbal liquid twice a day, so each time the cost is no more than ¡ê1.5.
* depends on what location you are in and what content in you heral tea packages, fees may vary.
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19. The Time for Taking Herbal Products
Usually herbal products should be taken 30-60 minutes after food, some herbal tonics may be taken on empty stomach.
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20. The Time for drinking decoction of mixed row herbs
Drink twice a day, morning and evening. It's better 30-60 minutes after the meal and drink it warm.
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21. The Herbs for the first time user
(1) Many of our patients find it difficult to drink the herbal liquid decoction at the beginning, because it tastes bitter and doesn't smell nice, feel sick. But after two or three days, they will gradually get used to it, and it will become easier. But, if they still find it too bitter to drink, you can add some honey or sugar in it.
(2)During the time when you are taking the herbal medicine, try to avoid the following things:
_ Spicy food like chili;
_ Sea food;
_ Acidic Food.
If you really can't give them up, please at least try to cut them down, because they do not go well with herbal medicine and will reduce the effect of the medicine.
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22. The Way for Making and Using Herbs
(1)For Drinking / intaking
One bag of herbal medicine can be used for one day. You can start from this evening. For example: tonight, you can put one bag of herbs into a deep stainless steel saucepan, non-stick saucepan. Add approximate 1 pint (about 3 mugs) of cold water in and bring to boil for 1minute, simmer for half an hour until about two tea cups of liquid remaining. Drain the liquid, drink the one cup of herbal decoction tonight, and keep the other one in the fridge. In the following morning, warm it up and drink it. Remember you'd better drink the liquid. You can warm it by microwave oven.
(2)For external washing
One bag of herbal medicine can be used for two days. For example: tonight, you can put one bag of herbs into a deep pan. Add 3 pints (about 9 cups) of cold water and bring to boil for 1 minute, simmer for half an hour; you can get some herbal decoction. Drain the liquid into a container, wait until it cools down to luke warm; use it to wash the affected area, twice a day, 15 minutes each time. Don't throw the herbs away yet; the same herbs can be boiled again for the second day. Add 6 cups of cold water, bring to boil for 1 minute, simmer for half an hour to get the herbal decoction. Drain the liquid into a container; use it to wash for the second day, twice as before. After washing, leave it on to dry up. Then apply a very thin layer of the herbal cream on the affected areas. Use your fingers to do gentle rubbing for about 5 to 10 minutes, so the cream foes into the skin and then leave it. Do not put anything else on the top. Apply the cream twice a day, morning and night after washing. Always use luke warm decoction to wash face, be careful don't let the liquid get into the eyes. Back to top |