If you are reading this page, you are probably considering
acupuncture as a treatment method.
About Acupuncture
Acupuncture roots itself in the ancient Chinese philosophy and a view of the human body which is very different from that of the Western biomedicine. Chinese say that the human body is a reflection of the cosmos. The same laws that govern the cosmos govern the human body. Patterns that can be observed in the Universe can also be observed in and applied to each individual human being.
In order for life to exist, from the traditional Chinese point of view, there always have to be balance, harmony and movement. All of these are facilitated by and are an expression of Qi. The most common explanation for Qi in the West is that it is energy. But energy is only one aspect of Qi. Everything around us and, we ourselves, are an expression of Qi in its different forms. Qi always has to be in balance, at the right place at the right time and moving freely. If an obstruction occurs in the flow of Qi in the human body, ill health arises. The free movement can be disrupted for many reasons. The causes may be internal or external. External climates can sometimes cause symptoms to appear. You might, for example, hear acupuncturists speak of “cold invading the body” and that in a patient, may manifest as fever, stiff neck, headache etc. Our emotions are able to cause blockages too. Does the sensation of a "lump in the throat", for example, sound familiar? Lifestyle also plays a part – lack of movement can result in stagnation of Qi, while lack of sleep can result in depletion of Qi.
The consultation
Your appointment begins with a consultation, during which you are asked about your symptoms, concerns and anything else related to the problem that you would like to be addressed. Your full health history will also be taken.
You will then be asked questions that might not appear to be relevant to your condition. For instance, you may be asked about your emotional state, your body temperature as you feel it – are you always cold or do you open all the windows as soon as you enter a room? What was your health like when you were a child – were you always off school with a cold or did you spend your days outside and nothing ever seemed to bother to you?
Some of the questions may seem rather unusual or, perhaps personal. You will, almost always be asked about the frequency of your bowel movements and your digestion overall. Whether you come for a treatment for sleep-related problems or not, you will be asked about your sleep pattern - what time do you go to sleep? Does anything wake you at night? Women are asked about their menstrual cycle. Your overall energy levels are also important – are you bursting full of enthusiasm and ready to go at 5 am or, like me, you feel you are ready to change the world at 9pm?
All of these questions are necessary to build a picture of what your overall constitution is like; what’s going on in your body that resulted in your presenting complaint and how to best approach the treatment – all within the framework of Chinese medical theory, rather than Western biomedical pathophysiology
The diagnosis
Acupuncturists use several diagnostic techniques, some of which may seem a little unusual to you. Your pulse will be taken, but in a way that is different to how it’s taken by your GP. The pulse is felt at two levels and in twelve positions on the wrists. Sometimes pulse may be felt on the temples or on the ankles. In Chinese medicine each position relates to a different body system. A tongue inspection is another diagnostic tool. You get to feel like a child once again and stick your tongue out, while I make a note of its colour, shape etc – all of these tell me something about what’s going on in your body. Abdominal palpation, like other diagnostic methods, reveals information about what’s going on inside. And finally, during body diagnosis your posture is usually assessed, any muscular aches and pains are usually discussed at this stage. If you are coming with a musculo-skeletal problem – you will be asked to show where the pain originates from and extends to, whether any particular movements are affected and how.
After the diagnosis if finished, you are invited to lie down on the treatment couch.
The treatment
Acupuncture treatment involves insertion of very fine needles into specific points on the body. The needles are no thicker than human hair, are sterile and single use. There is usually no pain, but occasionally you may feel heaviness or a mild ache at the point of insertion - you will be advised beforehand if the points selected for the treatment are likely to be particularly sensitive or whether any sensation is to be expected.
Needles are typically left in place for about 20 minutes, though sometimes are left in for longer – your pulse will tell me when it’s time to take the needles out. After the needles are removed, they are disposed of in to a sharps container.
Anna Lackenby-Maughan BSc (Hons) Lic Ac MBAcC
I was born in a family where taking care of one’s health and using traditional and herbal medicine was the norm. Having used Homeopathy and Acupuncture with fantastic results for myself and my two children for over 15 years, it seemed logical to try and share with others the wonderful benefits that these therapies have to offer. This is how I ended up studying both Homeopathy and Acupuncture.
I obtained a BSc degree in Acupuncture awarded by the University of Greenwich – School of Health and Social care, after completing a three-year full-time course of study at the International College of Oriental Medicine (ICOM). After graduation, I treated patients at ICOM’s own clinic and more recently in a South Croydon practice.
Over the years I’ve moved countries, had two children, changed careers, but my passion for helping people regain their health naturally has remained the same. My own “battle” with migraines has been my harshest but also my best teacher and it cemented my belief in the knowledge that nature really does know best! I hope to be able to pass my enthusiasm and my discoveries to my patients.
Service Categories
Acupuncture, Cupping, Mens Health, Natural Fertility Management, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Womens Health
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