What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the gentle insertion of hairfine thin needles into specific points on the body. The practice originated in China over 3,000 years ago as part of the oldest medical and healing system. It is recognized and endorsed by the World Health Organization and the BMA (British Medical Association) as an effective form of treatment for many medical conditions.

What conditions does acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture is used to treat a wide variety of medical conditions. Here is just a partial list of conditions for which acupuncture has been found to be effective: fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches and migraines, lower back pain and sciatica, frozen shoulder, insomnia, arthritis, PMS, weight loss, and addiction control (smoking). For a more complete list, click here.

How does it work?
According to Oriental Medicine, acupuncture works by stimulating the flow of Qi (pronounced ¡®chee¡¯), or natural healing energy, throughout one¡¯s body. In a healthy person, Qi flows fully and freely. When there is blockage or disruption of this flow, all types of illness or pain result.

Does it hurt?
Acupuncture rarely causes any discomfort, and different people have different sensitivity levels. Some people don¡¯t feel the needle being inserted at all; those who are more sensitive to needles have described the sensation as feeling like a small mosquito bite, and only for a fraction of a second. Most people find the experience of receiving acupuncture relaxing; often people nap while the needles are in place.

Is it safe?
We use pre-sterilized, pre-packaged needles. In addition, the skin surface is sterilized with alcohol before insertion. Furthermore, acupuncture treatments are natural and drug-free, and so there are none of the side-effects and dependencies often associated with medication.

Are there any conditions for which acupuncture is not recommended?
Acupuncture is not recommended for the primary treatment of cancer and heart failure. However, acupuncture is an effective pain management tool for advanced cancer patients.

Can acupuncture treat sports injuries?
Definitely yes. Acupuncture speeds the healing process and lowers the discomfort level of many sports injuries.

Can acupuncture be used with children or senior citizens?
Acupuncture is for people of all ages. Children often receive acupuncture to treat asthma and allergies, and senior citizens often for arthritis and other ailments.

Finally, can acupuncture help where other treatments have failed?
Acupuncture has often been effective where other medicines and treatments have failed, mainly because acupuncture is based on a system not bound by the assumptions of Western medicine.