Your first visit

Acupuncture is a deeply relaxing treatment. Many patients report a feeling of peace that stays with them for many hours or days after acupuncture treatment. With time that feeling becomes more than just an occasional experience.

As well as improvement in their symptoms, patients often report these ‘side-effects’ of acupuncture treatment:

The consultation

Before you come I’ll send you a questionnaire asking about your health, from my clinic software, Halaxy. You’ll be asked to list any medications and supplements you’re taking, as well as any relevant medical appointments and procedures. If you’re coming for fertility, the questionnaire is a little longer.

The first treatment lasts around 90 minutes. After a thorough inquiry into your health concerns, you will be asked to remove or loosen your clothing, in order for the appropriate physical examination to be carried out. I will then ask you to lie on the couch, in order for me to carry out any further diagnostic examinations, and to take your pulse. Your first treatment will begin, using fine sterile needles inserted into acupuncture points on the skin.

An individual treatment plan will be drawn up, based on the diagnostic information gathered.

Needling

The sensation of acupuncture can feel like a dull ache, tingle or pull. The needles may be inserted into the skin and removed quickly, or left in place for a while, depending on the result intended. After treatment, people generally feel relaxed and energised, but may also feel sleepy.

Please come wearing loose fitting clothing, and be prepared at times to remove outer clothing.

Pulse-taking

This is an important diagnostic tool in acupuncture, and the pulse on both wrists will be taken several times over the course of treatment to monitor progress.

Course of treatment

Follow-up appointments last up to 50 minutes. This involves a feedback session and treatment. The number of treatments you require depends on the severity and duration of the condition, and the underlying health of the patient (whether there are contributing factors, which impede healing, such as being run-down, or weak). There is a general rule that one treatment is required for each month the condition has been experienced, but healing may come quicker or slower. You should start to feel better immediately, but treatment has a cumulative effect. Typically, weekly treatments are advised at the outset, however, some conditions, like acute pain, for example, would be better treated 2-3 times a week.

Once symptoms have improved, your treatment frequency can be reduced, either to maintain health, or prevent reoccurrence. After your first visit, the recommended length of treatment will be discussed.

You may be given lifestyle and dietary advice. Massage and adjunct therapies will be incorporated in treatment where suitable.

Partnering

You are welcome to raise questions or concerns at any time, before, during or after your appointment. Please contact me by email for all queries unless urgent, then please contact me by WhatsApp.

Acupuncture can work in synergy with Western medicine, and I am a happy to work collaboratively with other healthcare providers.

I work with a network of acupuncturists who are available for IVF transfers, if I cannot see you on the day you require.

Payment and cancellation policy

Payments are taken through bank transfer, and I ask that you do this before attending clinic. Please respect the 48 hour cancellation policy, to allow the appointment slot to be filled. Last minute cancellations not only affect the practitioner’s income, but incurs clinic costs. Cancellations, or rescheduled appointments made between 48 and 24 hours, will be charged at 50% of the full charge, and appointments cancelled under 24 hours of the appointment will be charged at the full rate. Monday and Sunday appointments must be cancelled by the previous Friday, Saturday appointments by the previous Thursday.

Below are examples of situations for which you will be charged for late cancellations. We understand that these situations may be out of your control, however they are also out of our control, and we ask that the patient take responsibility.

• Change in work schedule
• Child care issues
• Travel hiccups – cancelled flights, transport and traffic
• Illness

If you have a family member, friend or colleague who is already a patient, you may ask him, or her to take your appointment. As a courtesy, should we be able to fill the session, we will not charge you the cancellation fee. You may also reschedule for a same day appointment if available.