What happens on the first visit?
Initial consultations with Paul usually take about one hour and fifteen minutes.
For the first half hour you will be asked detailed questions about both what is bothering you and what your health is like in general. If you are taking any medication, please bring a list of it to your first consultation. Your pulse will be taken and you tongue examined.
Once there is enough information to make a diagnosis, you will be asked to lie on the bed and the treatment will get underway. Please be sure to wear loose and comfortable clothing to enable easy access to the acupuncture points on your arms and legs.
What does acupuncture feel like?Acupuncture needles are extremely fine - so fine that the prick of the needle as it goes through the skin is barely felt. As the needle begins to have an effect on your energy, you may feel an unusual sensation - like a numbness or tingling.
Needles are frequently left in place for up to twenty minutes, depending upon the effect required. The needles come sealed in individual packs and are used once only, then disposed of.
Will I have to take herbs?No. Acupuncture is excellent at treating a wide range of conditions. However, for very chronic ailments such as skin conditions and some menstrual problems, results will be much faster if acupuncture is combined with herbal medicine. This is typically prescribed in powder or pill form. Powders are mixed with a little water and then drunk. Alternatively, the powder can be put into vegi-capsules for ease of use.
How many treatments will I need?The number of treatments will depend on many factors such as whether the condition is acute or chronic, and how healthy the patient's constitution is as a whole.
Everybody is different, and people respond at different rates. However, you should expect to start making progress with your problem in two to three treatments.
Acupuncture is frequently effective for conditions that Western Medicine can only control using heavy medication, or can find no 'scientific' reason for.
