Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a natural, drug-free way to manage your health and decrease stress. It helps restore, promote and maintain good health and most people find it very relaxing. Thin, single-use, sterile needles are inserted at specific points on the body to stimulate certain areas of the body.
The thought of needles on the skin might sound scary, but the treatment is safe when performed by a professionally trained acupuncturist. At its core, acupuncture promotes natural self-healing. It is often used for the treatment of pain in areas such as the back, knee, and shoulder. NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) now recommends acupuncture as a first line treatment for lower back pain.
Acupuncture is used to treat a wide range of illnesses. The focus is on improving the overall well-being of the patient as well as treating any specific symptoms you may have. For this reason, most patients report improvements in energy, sleep, digestion and stress levels as a result of treatment.
What symptoms can an acupuncture help with?
Acupuncture can treat a wide array of health conditions, including:
- Headaches and migraines
- Stress-related conditions including anxiety and insomnia
- Unexplained fatigue and low immunity
- Digestive disorders including pain, irregular bowels and nausea
- Breathing difficulties including asthma, hay fever and sinusitis
- Menstrual disorders including pain management, abnormal menstrual bleeding, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) & menopausal symptoms
- Fertility issues including IVF support
- Musculoskeletal conditions including back pain, frozen shoulder, hip and knee problems, sciatica, sports injuries and arthritis
- Pregnancy management including pre and post-birth care, morning sickness, back pain and heartburn
- Chemotherapy support
- Stopping smoking support
If you’d like to discuss a condition not included on the list, please feel free to contact our acupuncturist, Diane Timewell.
How does acupuncture work?
The acupuncture points are located between the skin and the muscle in the fascial plane.
The fascia is a nerve-rich continuous sheet of connective tissue which wraps around every organ, muscle and cell in the body – even the nerve cells in the brain. Movement through the fascia can perhaps explain how the stimulation of acupuncture points at the surface of that body can affect internal processes and also the speed by which tender areas can be reduced by needling a point at the opposite end of the body.
Stimulation of acupuncture points in the fascia has been shown to increase blood and lymph flow; to stimulate the production of pain-relieving substances such as endorphins; to modulate the immune system; to stimulate the nervous system and to influence the production of hormones and neurotransmitters thereby activating the homeostatic systems and stimulating the body’s natural healing abilities. These actions can in part explain the wide-reaching therapeutic effects of acupuncture treatment.
The therapeutic effects of acupuncture can also be understood through the energetic model of Chinese medicine, which recognises a vital energy (Qi) behind all life forms and life processes which can be manipulated. Pain, illness or disease results from a blockage or imbalance of the flow of Qi. Acupuncture seeks to restore proper circulation, to regulate the internal organs and to trigger the body’s own healing mechanism to restore health and promote physical and emotional well-being.
Does acupuncture treatment hurt?
Acupuncture is not supposed to hurt.
Pain tolerances do vary so some patients may feel a slight sensation when the needle is inserted. If felt, this sensation usually subsides very quickly. Many patients say they feel calm and at peace during acupuncture treatment. It is very uncommon for treatment to be painful and uncomfortable.
One of Diane’s patients, Alexander, explained in her testimonial, ‘the needles are very small and never hurt.’
Meet Diane Timewell...
Diane has been our acupuncturist at Fleet Street Clinic for the past 14 years.
Diane is a highly experienced acupuncturist and our patients love her.
Diane champions acupuncture as a beneficial way of maintaining good health despite the many demands and challenges of a busy lifestyle. More than just treating diseases, Diane promotes preventative health, wellness and patient empowerment. She is very committed to helping people feel their best and really enjoys her work.
She is a specialist in the treatment of pain and injury. Meaning as well as treating the usual back, neck, shoulder pain; women’s issues; fertility; headaches… Diane also takes a particular interest in how stress affects the body.
How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions you will need will depend on your individual circumstance and what you are seeking acupuncture treatment for.
Most patients require more than one treatment. If you are wanting lasting results, especially for a chronic condition, you must commit to the process of regular sessions, often a course of 6-10 weekly sessions is advised.
Is acupuncture effective immediately?
There are certainly instances of acupuncture producing immediate results, although this is not always the case.
Often patients see incremental improvements over a course of weekly sessions. The regularity of sessions helps the treatment to “stick”.
How will I feel after acupuncture?
Patients often report feeling very relaxed after treatment and most go back to work or carry on with their day as usual.
Occasionally patients may feel a bit tired or slightly ‘spacey’ after treatment but this usually wears off after about half an hour.
Our Patients Speak for Us
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I recently sought treatment at Fleet Street Clinic for painful ears; I was quickly diagnosed by Dr Hartmann. He prescribed ear drops and arranged an appointment for me a week later with Lucy Mildren. Within a week my ears were better. Everything was very efficient and I was treated with care and skill.
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We booked, we arrived and we had our vaccines. Everything as expected. What really stood out was the level of medical advice from the nurse giving us our injections. It was explained very clearly to us to the level of protection our vaccine would give. As this was a new vaccine the results of medical trials were also highlighted. There was no push to sell more products, just clear advice on what to avoid and what to do to prepare for our trip to the Far East.
FAQs
Try to avoid eating a large meal and any alcohol before your treatment but please do not arrive hungry. Please bring a list of any medication you may be taking.
Acupuncture has a very sound track record. Adverse reactions occur much less frequently than in traditional western medicine. The NHS describes acupuncture as ‘a safe treatment’ when carried out by a qualified practitioner, where ‘serious side effects or complications arising from treatment are extremely rare’.
Only single-use sterile needles are used in treatment. The chance of infection or cross contamination is extremely rare. Stringent standards of hygiene as dictated by the Department of Health provide protection against the transmission of infectious diseases.
Responses to treatment can sometimes include tiredness or mild dizziness and occasionally minor bruising may occur. All such reactions are short-lived, however.
Acupuncture needles are very small and very fine. They resemble pins much more than they resemble western medical needles. When an acupuncture needle is inserted, you may feel a slight tingling or dull ache. This usually subsides very quickly and is often replaced by a feeling of deep relaxation.
Yes, acupuncture is suitable for children and adolescents. Our acupuncturist, Diane doesn’t treat those under 16 years old but if necessary can refer on.
Yes. Needles are inserted extremely lightly in the Japanese style of acupuncture I use. Acupuncture needles are very much finer than the needles used for injections and blood tests. You may not even feel them penetrate the skin and once in place they are hardly noticeable.
Many private insurance policies cover acupuncture treatment but you would need to check the details of your own policy. Payment will be required at time of booking and you can reclaim your costs directly with your insurance provider.
In general, acupuncture treatments take place at the clinic, however, home visit enquiries increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. Diane is happy to review all home visit requests and try to accommodate where possible. Please submit your enquiry, including your location, to info@fleetstreetclinic.com.
Holistic healing is often defined as a form of healing that looks at the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. Acupuncture offers multiple holistic approaches and aims to promote physical and emotional well-being. It is a natural alternative to western medicine which can be used in conjunction with other treatment methods or as a standalone service.
