Given the nature of treatment being to treat the root cause of disease or condition, a full traditional diagnosis is made by taking a full health history at your first visit.
You will be asked questions about your symptoms and your medical history, as well as such things as your sleep, appetite and digestion, and your emotional wellbeing. Some questions may appear unrelated to your condition, but your answers allow for a complete picture of your health to be established, allowing for more tailored treatment to be conducted; you may find treatment benefits more than your main complaint.
The needles are commonly placed in the arms and / or legs, with an initial treatment often involving points on your back too.
Being a gentle treatment, involving the insertion of extremely fine, single use, sterile needles, Patients often state surprise at the limited sensation they feel, and once inserted find the treatment extremely relaxing.
Non-Needling Treatments may also form part of treatment, complimenting Acupuncture or used as a standalone treatment.
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Moxibustion: heat is applied to an acupuncture point using moxa (a therapeutic herb) to warm and relax muscles and qi.
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Tuina: Chinese therapeutic massage relieves muscle tension, stimulates acupressure points, opens energy meridians, to stimulate the flow of qi.
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Cupping: glass cups with a vacuum seal are placed on the skin to stimulate blood flow and clear stagnant qi.
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Guasha: vigorous rubbing of the skin increases blood flow and clears stagnant qi.