Benefits

Who Has Acupuncture?

Many people come to acupuncture for help with specific symptoms or to relieve specific pains like osteoarthritis of the knee. Some use acupuncture because they feel generally unwell but have no obvious diagnosis. Others choose acupuncture simply to enhance their feeling of well-being. Acupuncture is considered suitable for all ages including babies and children. It can be used effectively alongside conventional medicine. Acupuncture has been shown to help many people with specific symptoms and conditions such as headache and migraine; nausea and vomiting; neck and back ache (lumbar and spinal); arthritic and rheumatic pain; M.E.; insomnia and emotional conditions, through to more general feelings of ill health such as low energy.

What does it feel like?

Acupuncture needles are much finer than needles used for injections and blood tests. When the needle is inserted you may feel a tingling sensation or dull ache.

Is it safe?

The results of two independent surveys published in the British Medical Journal in 2001 (MacPherson et al, White et al, both BMJ September 2001) concluded that the risk of
serious adverse reaction to acupuncture is less than 1 in 10,000. The needles used are
single-use, sterile, and disposable. Responses to treatment can sometimes include
tiredness or mild dizziness, and very occasionally minor bruising may occur. However,
all such reactions are short-lived.