Because acupuncture treats the whole person not just their symptoms, treatment can be effective for a very wide variety of conditions, some of which are listed below.

	•	Headache	•	Week Immunity	•	Sports Injuries
	•	Back Pain	•	Poor Digestion	•	Chronic Pain
	•	Anxiety	•	Muscle Pain/Stiffness	•	Bowel Problems
	•	Migraine	•	Loss of Libido	•	Poorly Healed Scars
	•	Loss of Energy	•	Asthma/Eczema	•	Post Traumatic Stress
	•	Feeling Low	•	Menstrual Disorders	•	Men's Health

In order to keep healthy everyone needs abundant, free flowing energy. Mental emotional stress and tiredness weaken and block our energy allowing illness to penetrate the body's defences.

By boosting energy levels and promoting mental and emotional calm, regular acupuncture can help to prevent problems getting a foothold in the body

Increasingly couples are experiencing difficulties conceiving. Acupuncture can be effective in treating either partner and increasing the chances of conception.

Acupuncture can also be very helpful throughout pregnancy to support the energy of the mother and is completely safe for both mother and baby. It can relieve common problems such as morning sickness, tiredness and back pain and help in the later stages with breech presentation or inducing labour.

Treatment can also help after the baby is born to restore the mother's energy, and with problems such as tiredness and lack of milk.

Acupuncture has a history dating back over 2,000 years to a time when many of the great philosophers of ancient China, such as Lao Tzu, lived. The first text was compiled between 300 - 100 BCE and is still referred to extensively by acupuncturists even today.

Over the centuries many great Chinese doctors refined and improved upon this foundation and acupuncture spread throughout Eastern Asia as far as Japan and Malaysia. In Europe although there was some interest in the 17th & 18th centuries, it was not really until the 1960’s that traditional acupuncture began to be studied seriously.

There are now around 2,000 British Acupuncture Council registered acupuncturists in the UK and 8 accredited colleges.

Acupuncture is based on the principles of balance and harmony known as Yin and Yang, together with an understanding that our health is reliant upon having abundant and smooth flowing energy. Too much energy stuck in one place may cause pain or symptoms such as headache; insufficient energy in another causes weakness, leading to problems such as a bad back. Balance in the key.

Our energy, known as Qi (chee), flows along interconnected channels, or meridians, that run both along the surface of the skin and internally through the organs and structures of the body. Situated along these channels are specific points where energy gathers. These have particular effects on the energy and therefore the functioning of the body. They are commonly known as 'pressure points' although they do not relate directly to the nervous system. It is into these points that the acupuncture needles are placed.

Many interconnected factors such as stress, emotional problems, over work and poor diet, all affect our energy negatively causing blocks and deficiencies. Over time these imbalances can lead to either physical or emotional problems.

The aim of acupuncture is to rebalance the body and mind, by unblocking and strengthening the energy. Doing so encourages the body's own healing potential, helping not just symptoms but their underlying causes.

Acupuncture treatment is given on a massage couch and involves inserting very fine needles into the energy points of the body. It is best to wear loose comfortable clothing, that allows easy access to lower legs and arms. However, acupuncture needles cannot be inserted through clothing so it may be necessary to remove certain items, e.g. to get to points on the back.

Needles are left in place for between 15 - 30 minutes. At this time there may be a sensation of tingling accompanied by relaxation. Sometimes channels or points are warmed using a smouldering herb called mugwort (moxibustion). Magnets or a tiny electrical stimulation may also be applied to points for specific conditions.

Lifestyle and dietary advice, together with self massage and exercise programmes are often recommended to increase the effectiveness of treatment and provide long term maintenance.

At the initial appointment a full case history will be taken. A detailed understanding is necessary of current symptoms, medical history, medication and how the major systems of the body such as digestion are functioning. Emotional feelings, life style and diet are all taken into account. Diagnosis will also include observation of the tongue, palpation of the abdomen and pulse, as well as examination of any external symptoms.

Building an holistic profile of each person allows treatment to be individual and directed not just at a particular symptom but at it’s root causes. The initial consultation will probably take at least half of the first appointment with any remaining time given to treatment.

Treatment usually brings about a feeling of deep relaxation as tension ebbs away and the energy begins to rebalance. There may be a direct relief of symptoms or this may take longer to notice. People will often find an improvement in general energy levels and begin to ‘feel more themselves’ as a result of treatment.

At each subsequent treatment, any changes are assessed and the diagnosis rechecked. Treatment with acupuncture may produce rapid progress. However, particularly with severe or long standing problems a number of treatments over time may be necessary. An initial course of 4-8 treatments is usually recommended. This will be discussed at the initial consultation and a suitable treatment plan worked out.

Follow up treatments will last one hour.

On the day of treatment it is best not to drink any alcohol or to have a long hot bath or shower. It is also ideal to take it easy for 24 hours following treatment and drink an extra glass or two of water.

At Dulwich Acupuncture hygiene and safety are of the utmost importance. All needles are 'single use pre-sterilised disposable' needles that are only opened just prior to use and discarded safely afterwards. There is therefore no risk of infection.

At Dulwich Acupuncture all our acupuncturists are registered by the UK’s governing body the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC). This means they have undertaken a full three year training at a BAcC accredited college, are fully insured and are bound by the BAcC's codes of Ethics, Professional Conduct and Professional Practice. A British Acupuncture Council registered practitioner will have the letters MBAcC after their name.

Does acupuncture hurt?

No, acupuncture should not hurt. The needles used are very fine and generally you feel very little. On certain points you may feel a small pin prick as the needle is inserted and then a tingling or heavy sensation as the needle 'attracts' the energy.