During your first appointment I will do a detailed health questionnaire varying in length depending on the treatment. We will discuss your treatment plan, expectations and suggested course of treatments. Below is a brief description of each modality used and what you can expect in a session.

Acupuncture

An acupuncture session begins by asking a series of question about your health, wellbeing and lifestyle, followed by looking at your tongue and taking pulses. Once a diagnosis has been made the treatment will begin. Follow-up treatments will start with a quick check in about your progression and any changes.

During the acupuncture treatment super fine, sterile acupuncture needles will be gently inserted into specific points on the body in order to promote the body’s healing process by regulating the body’s “Qi” or “vital energy”. Each little point will induce a unique sensation individual to each person. Needles will be left for 28 - 45 minutes during which you can relax into an “acu-nap” and let the needles do their work.

The initial session will last 75mins as the consultation will be more detailed to gather a full medical history. Follow up treatment times will last between 45 - 60 minutes.

Facial Acupuncture & Massage

A facial rejuvenation acupuncture session starts with a little chat to see how you are. Next, I will select a few body acupuncture points to enhance your treatment. Then we move to the face, I will insert super fine, tiny needles at specific acupuncture points on the face and head, in fine lines and wrinkles or along the contours of the face. Tiny micro-traumas are made to the skin improving the circulation of blood and lymph in the face, therefore encouraging cell re-growth, and increasing collagen and elastin production. Once all the little needles are in, you will relax for 20-30 minutes while they do their magic.

Each facial acupuncture treatment will be followed by a relaxing facial massage, which will help encourage the benefits of the acupuncture treatment. Please be aware I use facial oil in this treatment, so you might not want to come in with fresh hair.

Cupping

Traditional cupping or “fire cupping," uses heat to create a vacuum-like suction inside cups made of glass, plastic or bamboo. Think of it as a reverse massage, instead of pushing down into a muscle the cups create suction drawing the muscle up. This creates circulation which brings fresh blood to the area and releases lactic acid from deep inside the muscles. Cupping is not only great for releasing muscle tension it can also be really beneficial for respiratory conditions, headaches, digestion, and lots more.

Once the cup is attached a feeling of warmth and slight pressure (the same as a deep tissue massage) will be felt. The cups may be left static or slid across the area using massage oil. Cups will be retained for 10-20 minutes.

Cupping may leave a reddish/purple mark where the cup has been (think love bite), many of you may have seen these marks branded on some of the worlds top athletes. Don’t worry the marks don’t last long and should be gone in a few days. I use both glass cups for fire cupping and plastic cups without fire using a hand pump to create the suction.

Moxibustion/Gua Sha

Moxibustion (known as moxa) and Gua Sha are often incorporated into an acupuncture or cupping session to supplement the treatment.

Moxabustion involves the warming of acupuncture points or channels using mugwort herb. This is achieved by burning the herb in a moxa stick/roll, with moxa on needle or a direct moxa cone on the skin allowing the heat to travel down into the body.

Moxibustion has a nourishing warming effect stimulating circulation, and promoting the smooth flow of blood and Qi.

Gua Sha is a technique used to release stagnation and promote circulation in the muscles. Firstly oil is applied to the area and spread across the skin, then a flat or rounded smooth tool, often made of jade or quartz is gently scrapped across the skin to break up tension in the muscles. Small red or purple spots (petechiae) 'sha' may come out on the skin. The skin is not damaged this is a sign stagnation has been released and the marks fade after a few days.

Gua Sha is very effective in treating musculoskeletal pain - especially knots and tension. It is also useful for respiratory conditions and fighting off the common cold.

Naturopathic Advice

The importance of treating every aspect of a patient (not only with acupuncture) is something I follow in my practice, empowering people the take control of their own health and make lifestyle changes that stick! As my training includes naturopathy following the Naturopathic Principles, I incorporate this within each treatment and may give nutrition and lifestyle advice as well as recommended supplementation and detox where appropriate.