How Often Will I Need Treatment

In traditional acupuncture everyone is considered as an individual so treatment and the number of appointments needed varies from person to person. Factors that influence this include the condition treated, length of illness, your age, constitution and factors in your life or environment that may be affecting your health. Normally appointments are arranged once or twice a week to start with and as you feel better become less frequent. Many people who get better continue to have acupuncture at regular intervals to maintain their health and wellbeing.

What Does Acupuncture Feel Like

Most people's experience of needles is of those used in injections or blood tests. Acupuncture needles bear little resemblance to these. Acupuncture needles are much finer and are made from solid stainless steel. When the needle is inserted the sensation experienced is often described as a tingling or dull, drawing ache. The sensation is generally acceptable and is often only experienced for a few seconds. Needles are generally left in place for 20-30 minutes. During this time clients commonly experience heaviness in the limbs or a pleasant feeling of relaxation. After treatment you will usually feel rather relaxed and calm. Occasionally you may feel tired or drowsy for a few hours and you are advised not to drive straight away.

Very occasionally there may be a short-term flare up of symptoms as your Qi clears and resettles itself. You should tell us about this: it is usually regarded as a good sign.