Traditional Acupuncture – What Is It?

Traditional Acupuncture is a holistic, natural therapy originating in the Far East over 2,000 years ago and is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

In China, traditional acupuncture is integrated into mainstream medicine and acupuncturists work alongside doctors in hospitals providing an integrated approach to treatment and health.

How Does It Work?

Traditional Chinese Acupuncture asserts that Qi (vital energy) runs throughout the body via a complex network of inter-relating meridians. When Qi flows smoothly in all directions the body, mind, and emotions work in harmony and we enjoy good health and wellbeing. When this flow is disturbed, perhaps due to trauma, lifestyle or environmental factors, imbalance may occur and discomfort or symptoms of illness appear.

A skilled acupuncturist, treating each case as unique, will use the framework of traditional acupuncture to assess a patient's symptoms and formulate an individual treatment plan. Via appropriate acupoints, the acupuncturist taps into the network of meridians with the intention of guiding the body to begin its own healing process. As each patient has a personalised treatment plan, they frequently experience an improvement in their overall sense of wellbeing, as well as in the specific problem for which they first sought treatment.

What Happens During Treatment?

You are treated as an individual requiring individual treatment.

Initial Consultation

Detailed questioning about the problem for which you are seeking treatment.
An overall view of your general health – any allergies you might have, past operations, medication you are taking and your general level of fitness. This information is necessary if I am to treat you individually and holistically.
A treatment plan will be discussed with you as not everyone requires the same number of treatments. Typically, a problem which occurred recently will require fewer treatments than one which has been troubling you for some time.

This is then followed by a treatment.

Acupuncture Treatment

Fine, sterile, single use needles will be inserted into appropriately selected acupuncture points and will generally be left in for about 20 minutes.

The needles are so fine that frequently nothing much is felt when they are inserted.

In addition to the insertion of acupuncture needles, you may be treated with other, related therapies which include:

Moxibustion: The application of indirect heat using moxa (dried therapeutic herbs) which warms the muscles and invigorates Qi.

Cupping: The application of glass cups with a vacuum seal. These are placed on the skin and stimulate blood flow and clear stagnate Qi.

Massage: Used to release muscle tension and stimulate acupressure points to influence the flow of Qi through the meridians.

Is Acupuncture Safe?

According to the 2001 York acupuncture safety study by Hugh McPherson et al, the risk of a serious adverse reaction to acupuncture when given by a professionally trained acupuncturist was less than 1 in 10,000. Side effects, such as bruising or a light-headed sensation immediately after treatment, were found to be generally mild and of short duration.

However, acupuncturists are acupuncturists and not medical doctors. I have received tuition in anatomy and physiology as part of my training but I am not trained to diagnose illness according to the western medical framework. Therefore, there may be occasions when I ask you to consult your medical GP.

Practitioner Information

My name is Liz Wynn and I am the acupuncturist at the Red Roof Clinic. I trained for three years at Lincoln University and graduated with a first class honours degree in complementary medicine, specialising in acupuncture. I also received an award from the faculty of Health, Life and Social Sciences for the consistently high standard of my clinical and academic work.

Since graduating, I continue to further my education via postgraduate continuous professional development courses and self study which have included the following areas:

The examination and treatment of musculo-skeletal conditions
Acupuncture for pain relief
The use of acupuncture in female fertility and menstrual issues

I am a full member of the British Acupuncture Council which is the largest body of professional acupuncturists in the UK.

Where Can I Find Out More?

If you are curious as to whether acupuncture can help you, either ring me directly on 07866 480792 or contact me by email elizabeth.wynn@redroofclinic.co.uk and I will happily answer any questions you may have. There is no obligation to book a treatment.

To find out more about acupuncture and to read acupuncture research information on a variety of topics including stress, back pain, sinusitis, anxiety and female fertility, visit the British Acupuncture Council Website via this link: British Acupuncture Council Website

To view the World Health Organisation's report entitled 'Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials' use this link: Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials