Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the most popular therapies used in Chinese Medicine and is a system of healing which has been practised in China and other Eastern countries for thousands of years.  It involves inserting fine needles into precise acupuncture points on the surface of the body.

Although often described as a means of pain relief, it is in fact used to treat people with a wide range of illnesses.

According to traditional Chinese philosophy our health is dependent on the body's motivating energy known as Qi.  Qi should move in a smooth, unrestricted and ordered way around the body through channels.  These channels or meridians run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface.  Along these channels or meridians are points relating to specific organs of the body.

The Abundance, quality and movement of Qi depends on the organs of the body working effectively and in harmony.  By activating points along the meridians using Acupuncture energy is released, increased or harmonized and the body's natural healing abilities are stimulated.

The modern scientific explanation is that needling acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord and brain.  These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals of hormones which influence the body's own internal regulating systems to promote physical and emotional wellbeing.

Acupuncture can influence three areas of health care:

	the promotion of health and well being
	the prevention of illness
	the treatment of a wide range of medical conditions

Herbal Medicine

In contemporary terminology 'medicine' is associated with pills and synthetic pharmaceutical preparations yet herbal medicine's history predates modern medicine by millennia.

Historically the power of plants has always been recognised, one of the first modern drugs to be isolated from a plant was morphine, many others have since been 'discovered'.

There are remarkable universalities in the world of medicinal herbs, with many herbs having the same medicinal usage in different cultures.

Chinese Herbal Medicine has a recorded history of more than 2000 years and like other Chinese medicine disciplines seeks to achieve a balance within the body to achieve optimum vitality by:

	Supplementing energy
	Expelling pathogenic factors
	Harmonising the flow of energy in the body

Treatment according to the Chinese herbal tradition involves the use of combinations of herbs which are prescribed to correct the imbalance producing signs and symptoms of illness within the individual.

Following a first consultation, herbs may be supplied in their traditional form to be boiled and decocted or increasingly as a convenient powder or granule to 'brew' and drink, or in tablet form.

Length of treatment will vary depending on the condition anything between 1 and 6 months is common with follow up consultations at agreed intervals - typically fortnightly/monthly to review progress and modify treatment if necessary.

Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine or a combination of both can be used in the treatment of:

	Muscular - Skeletal disorders, including arthritic conditions, muscle pain and injury with restricted movement.
	Digestive disorders, including chronic indigestion, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, ulcers.
	Respiratory disorders, including infections, bronchitis, asthma, allergic and perennial rhinitis, sinusitis.
	Gynaecological disorders including PMT, painful periods, menopausal syndromes, endometriosis, some forms of infertility.
	Urinary disorders including cystitis, prostatitis and prostatic hypertrophy.
	Headaches and migraine.
	Tiredness including chronic fatigue syndrome.
	Anxiety and depression including insomnia, panic attacks and stress.

Whilst both Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine can be used independently, used together one treatment reinforces the other. 

Planning The Treatment

In order to make an accurate diagnosis you will be asked questions about your symptoms and general health.  Your pulse and tongue will probably be observed.  Once a diagnosis is established you will be advised on a treatment plan.

Treatment Plan

The recommended treatment and the number and frequency of treatments you might need.

The treatment plan will vary according to the individual condition, but generally a recent injury or illness will heal relatively quickly, whilst a long-standing condition will need more treatment.  Reviewing treatment on a regular basis is important in order to measure the healing process and establish the degree of success in alleviating symptoms.

Appointments

The first appointment will take approximately 1.5 - 2 hours and subsequent appointments approximately 1 hour.

Please ring to make an appointment or for an informal discussion.

Qualifications & Experience

Lorraine Harwood studied Acupuncture initially and then Chinese Herbal Medicine at the Northern College of Acupuncture in York and is a registered member of the British Acupuncture Council.

She is also qualified in Remedial Massage having studied at the Northern Institute of Massage in Blackpool (Now Bolton).