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?

When Qi (vital energy) flows smoothly through an intricate network of channels (meridians) in the body, mind, body and emotions work in harmony and we enjoy good health and well-being. Should this flow be disturbed imbalance occurs and discomfort or symptoms of illness become apparent. This imbalance can arise from trauma, stress, infection or emotional upset and the symptoms experienced will vary and may include pain, muscular spasms, anxiety, headaches, and insomnia to name but a few.

A skilled acupuncturist, treating each case as unique, will use the theoretical 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 and guides 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 well-being as well as in the specific problem for which they first sought treatment.

Can It Help Me?

It is widely known that acupuncture effectively treats muscular and pain conditions. However, traditional acupuncture treats a much wider range of ailments.

Acupuncture Can Help:

Muscular & Sporting Injuries & Strains
Pain: Wherever the pain acupuncture can frequently help, be it pain in the back, neck, arms, tennis elbow, repetitive strain injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder, legs, hips, knees, feet, hands, joints, osteoarthritis, sciatica, fibromyalgia, shingles, abdominal pain, neuralgia, headaches, migraines
Gynaecological Problems: Painful, heavy or irregular periods, pre-menstrual tension (PMT), menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes.
Obstetric Conditions: Nausea, minor conditions and discomforts, labour
Emotional Issues: Stress, anxiety and sleep disturbance
Digestive Complaints: Constipation, diarrhoea, nausea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Allergies: Hayfever, asthma & eczema
Skin Problems: Eczema, itching skin, shingles
Respiratory: Asthma, tightness of the chest, coughing, sinus problems

If your condition is not listed here, it does not necessarily mean that acupuncture cannot help you.

Either ring me directly on 07866 480792 or contact me by email
elizabeth.wynn@btconnect.com and I will happily answer any questions you may have. There is no obligation to book a treatment.

What Happens During Treatment?

Initial Consultation

Lasts approximately 1 ½ hours.
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 for me to consider your symptoms within the traditional Chinese holistic framework and thus formulate a personalised treatment programme for you.
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 stagnant 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 research published in the British Medical Journal in 2001, acupuncture is one of the safest medical treatments available. Side effects, such as bruising or a light-headed sensation immediately after treatment, are generally mild and of short duration.

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 academic and clinical work. Since graduating, I continue to further my education via postgraduate continuous professional development programmes.

I am a full member of the British Acupuncture Council which is the largest body of professional acupuncturists in the UK. The regulations of the Council guarantee excellence in training, safe practice and professional conduct.

Where Can I Find Out More?

To find out more about acupuncture, visit the British Acupuncture Council Website via this link: www.acupuncture.org.uk.