Where do I park?

There is a car park at the front of the practice and/or one hour free parking just across the road on Ground Lane.

What should I wear?

After your Acupuncturist has taken a full case history of your problem it is usually necessary to undress to your underwear.

You may bring shorts, loose clothing or we can use towels if you are a uncomfortable.

Please just ask as we want your visit to be a pleasant one.

Can I have an urgent appointment?

Please let us know you are in need of an urgent appointment and we will do our utmost to see you as soon as we can. Please tell the reception staff of your situation when you call.

Do I need a referral from my doctor?

Many patients are referred by their doctor, but it is not necessary to see them first. However, if you wish to claim on your Health Insurance, some companies require a doctor’s referral as with any other specialist or consultant.

How do I know that an Acupuncturist is properly qualified?

Our Acupuncturists have trained with the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) have completed a thorough training of at least three years in traditional acupuncture and biomedical sciences appropriate to the practice of acupuncture. They carry the letters MBAcC after their name. The BAcC maintains common standards of education, ethics, discipline and practice to ensure the health and safety of the public at all times. Members are covered by Medical Malpractice and Public/ Products Liability insurance.
The BAcC currently has more than 2,800 members whose details are published in an annual Register of Practitioner Members.

How long is an appointment ?

There is no fixed amount for an appointment although they are generally in the region of 20 to 45 minutes. Conditions vary considerably in the amount of time they require and we are comitted in acheiving the best for you. Remenber that what is acheived inside the consulting room is only a proportion of the Acupuncturist’s work. It is necassary to write detailed notes, communicate with GPs, review hospital X- rays and scans, write reports, liase with staff and upgrade our skills.

What are the fees ?

For a list of current fee for all services please click here. They can also be found on the reception desk.

Fees are payable at the time of your visit by cash, cheque or credit card.

Is it safe?

We are very aware of the relative and absolute contraindications to Acupuncture treatment and we are trained to recognise what falls outside their competence. The risk of side effects is low and the potential benefits are high. Knowing what to expect from Acupuncture will help our patients get the most benefit from treatments. The purpose of this web page is to help patients approach Acupuncture treatment from an informed perspective.

What does Acupuncture treatment involve?

In short there are many techniques that can be used by our Acupuncturist. These are aften tailor made for you and your specific set of problems / symptoms Acupuncture treats health conditions by stimulating “acu-points” found at specific locations on the surface of the body. Very fine (and painless) needles are inserted into various acupuncture points which can stimulate the body’s own healing response and help to restore its natural balance. This has also been shown to cause the release of our own natural pain killers, endorphin and serotonin.

Does Acupuncture permanantly cure arthritis and rheumatism?

No, but it can certainly help to alleviate many of the symptoms and pain associated with these common problems. There are several techniques aimed at improving function and reducing the pain and discomfort of the muscles, ligaments and joints. Our Acupuncturist can also give advice on how to help manage these problem at home or in the workplace

Do the Acupuncture needles hurt?

Most people are surprised and relieved to learn that acupuncture needles are very thin—unlike hypodermic needles which are thick and hollow. Acupuncturists can attain a high level of skill in gently placing these tiny needles and often the insertion is barely perceptible. The needles are usually inserted only several millimeters in depth—also very unlike hypodermic injections. As such, patients generally do not feel the painful piercing or pricking sensation typically associated with an injection, blood sample, or other medical needle procedure. We use only disposable needles.

Are there side effects with treatment?

Side effects are generally rare; you may experience some tiredness or soreness for a few days afterwards, but this will subside quickly. Acupuncture is a very safe and effective form of treatment and most patients feel subsequently better for it.

Can I phone between treatments?

If you have new problems, or concerns between treatments we would rather you phone us than be anxious or in pain in silence. If our practitioners are busy your call will be returned as soon as possible.

How many treatments will I need?

This depends on the problem and its severity. In some cases, particularly when the pain is acute, it is more effective to see the patient again within a few days. Generally treatments are spaced roughly one week apart, although as the condition begins to improve they may be spaced more widely.

Your rate of recovery will also depend upon several other factors including your age, general health, sensitivity to treatment and activities in your life.

Some patients feel that they benefit from an Acupuncture MOT which may require visits on an occasional basis.

Will I need a regular check up?

Once again, this depends entirely upon the problem and your Acupuncturist will advise you on the need for advice and maintenance treatment.

Can I claim on my medical insurance?

The majority of medical insurance companies cover Acupuncture. Most now refund part or all of patients fees; some have special conditions or require that you tell them at the onset It is best to check with your insurers first, sooner rather than later, as individual policies may have exemptions. If you do have complimentary health cover then you should obtain an authorisation number.