Have you looked into our alternative therapies yet?

The first acupuncture textbook, the Nei Jing Su Wen – the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, was published around 200BCE. Many other countries in the Far East have also developed specific acupuncture styles and herbal medicine protocols in accordance with their own specific local needs. Collectively, these are known as ‘Traditional East Asian Medicine’.

Chinese medicine is based around the theory that energy (known as qi and pronounced ‘chee’) flows through pathways, also known as channels or meridians, throughout the body. Chinese medical theory suggests that when the flow of qi is unbalanced or obstructed, illness or pain may be the result. By skilfully inserting fine needles into very specific points along these channels, an acupuncturist can stimulate the body’s own healing response and help restore its natural balance.

Modern acupuncture needles are made from very fine, sterile, surgical steel with metal or plastic handles. They are much finer than the standard injection needle used to take your blood. Acupuncture needles are only ever used once and then destroyed by incineration, like all other medical waste. They are never, ever reused. Acupuncture needles are solid and do not contain any form of drug and nothing is injected during the treatment.

Acupuncture is not at all painful and many people are not even aware that the needles have been inserted. It certainly feels nothing like having an injection or having your blood taken.

Our Acupuncture clinic runs every Monday with the incredible Paul Douglas – to find out more about Paul and his qualifications, click here.

Your first appointment for acupuncture involves a private consultation with a fully qualified, BCA-certified and professional acupuncturist. This appointment consists of a consultation followed by acupuncture treatment, if you are suitable (most people are!), and lasts around an hour. There is no charge for the session if no treatment is given. We ask that new acupuncture patients arrive 5 minutes early to their first appointment to complete some essential paperwork. Standard acupuncture treatments after the initial appointment last approximately 45 minutes in duration. If you have any questions or want to know more about acupuncture, please give us a call to speak to a member of our team!

Stress: Massage is one of the best-known antidotes for stress. Reducing stress gives you more energy, improves your outlook on life, and in the process reduces your likelihood of injury and illness. Massage can also relieve symptoms of conditions aggravated by anxiety, such as asthma or insomnia.

Painful or tight muscles: Massage can relieve many types of muscle tightness – from a short-term muscle cramp, to a habitually clenched jaw, or tight shoulders. Some massage techniques release tension directly by stretching, kneading, and compressing your muscles. Other techniques work indirectly, by affecting your nervous system which then allows your muscles to relax.

Delayed Muscle Soreness: After vigorous exercise, a build-up of waste products in your muscles can leave you feeling tired and sore. Massage increases circulation which removes waste products and brings in healing nutrients.

Injuries: Massage can help heal injuries that develop over time, such as tendinitis, as well as ligament sprains or muscle strains caused by accidents. Massage reduces inflammation by increasing circulation to the affected area, which removes waste products and brings nutrients to injured cells. Certain massage techniques can limit scar formation in new injuries and can reduce or make more pliable the scar tissue remaining around old injuries.

Prevention of new injuries: By relieving chronic tension, massage can help prevent injuries that might result from putting stress on unbalanced muscle groups or from favouring or forcing a painful and restricted area.

Joint Pain or Restriction: Besides releasing tight muscles that restrict joint movement, massage works directly on your joints too by improving circulation around them and stimulating the production of natural lubrication within them, relieving pain from conditions such as osteoarthritis.

Posture: As massage releases restrictions in muscles, joints, and surrounding, your body is free to return to a more natural and healthy posture.