What is acupuncture?

Acupunture is a system of healing which has been practised in China and other Eastern countries for thousand of years.
Although often described as a means of pain relief, it is in fact used to treat people with a range of illness. Its focus is on improving the overall well being of the patient, rather than the isolated treatment of specific symptoms.

According to traditional chinese philosophy, our health is dependant on the body's motervating energy- known as Qi - moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of channels beneath the skin. Qi consists of equal and opposite qualities - yin and yang - and when these become unbalanced, illness may result. By inserting fine needles into the chanels of energy, an acupuncturist can stimulate the bodys own healing response and help restore its natural balance. The flow of Qi can be disturbed by a number of factores. These include emotional states such as greif, poor nutrition, weather conditions, hereditary factors, infections, poisons and trauma.

The principal aim of acupuncture in treating the whole person is to recover the equilibrium between the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual.

Is it safe?

All members of the ritish Acupuncture Council (BAcC) observe a code of safe Practice, amongst others, which lays down stringent standards of hygiene and requires the use of sterile disposable needles.

Patients who have been treated by a BAcC member are eligible to donate blood through the National blood Service.