• What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a system of healing which has been practiced in China and other Eastern Countries for thousands of years.

Acupuncture works through stimulating the body's healing responses or immune system. 'Acupoints' lie on lines or channels in the body and are stimulated by the insertion of thin, fine needles at various points. The actions of each point and combinations of points, and their effectiveness in treating different diseases, have been learnt through observation. In recent years these actions have been systematically refined and verified by modern scientific research methods.

• Who can benefit?

Acupuncture is used to treat a wide range of health problems from simple acute sprains to long term debilitating illnesses. The World Health Organisation 1 has published a list of conditions that are considered amenable to treatment by acupuncture. This list includes diseases of the respiratory system (sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma), gastrointestinal system (diarrhoea, constipation, ulcers), neurological and musculo-skeletal disorders (headache, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, facial palsy, sequelae of stroke, Meniere's disease, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, sciatica, low back pain, osteoarthritis) and many other conditions.

Acupuncture can also be a powerful form of medicine where there is no clear medical diagnosis. Acupuncture is a safe, gentle and relaxing form of treatment which can benefit people of all ages.

1 Bannerman RH. 1979 "Acupuncture: the World Health Organisation view." World Health Organisation.

At Kang Da Clinic, all our practitioners had at least five years full time training in Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine. The conditions that we can help as below:

Internal

Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds, Colitis, Constipation, Diarrhea, Flu, Gastritis, Hepatitis, Hypertension, Indigestion, Chronic fatique, Migraine, MS, Peptic ulcers, Palpitation, Nephritis, Nausea/Vomiting, Obesity, Thyroids disorders

Muscluar-Skeletal & Neurological

Arthritis, Back Pain, Bell's Palsy, Cerebal Palsy, Frozen Shoulder, Neuralgia, Sciatica, Sports Injuries, Stiff Neck, Stroke, Tennis Elbow.

Dermatological

Acne, Dermatitis, Eczema, Herpes, Psoriasis, Urticaria

Gynaecological

Amenorrhea, Cystitis, Dysmenorrhea, Endomertriosis, Herpes, Hot flushes, Infertility, Irregular Periods, Menopause, Miscarriage, Morning Sickness, PMT, Pelvic Inflammation, Vaginal Discharge

Addictions

Alcohol, Tobacco

What will happen on my first visit?

Your first consultation may be longer than subsequent sessions. The practitioner needs to assess your general state of health, in order to  identify the underlying pattern of disharmony and give you the most effective treatment.

You will be asked about your current symptoms and what treatment you have received so far, your medical history and that of your close family, your diet, digestion, sleeping patterns and emotional state. To discover how the energies are flowing in your body, the practitioner is likely to feel your pulses on both wrists, noting their quality, rhythm and strength. The structure, colour and coating of your tongue also gives a good guide to your physical health.

There are around 500 recognised acupoints on the body. Stimulation of specific areas on the skin affects the functioning of certain organs in the body. However, those areas may not be close to the part of the body where the problem is experienced. For example, although you may suffer from headaches, needles may be inserted in your foot or hand.

For people with a fear of needles, we use magnet to stimulate the points instead of needles.

•  How often will I need treatment?

n the philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, each person is considered as unique, and therefore the number of treatments required depends on the individual. Normally you are recommended to visit your practitioner once or twice a week at first, until your condition has improved, then may need less frequent attention.

•  Should my doctor know?

I f you are receiving treatment from your doctor then it helpful to tell him or her about your plans to have acupuncture. The acupuncture treatment may enable you to reduce or even stop taking some forms of medication, but your doctor should be consulted regarding any change of prescription. You should always tell your practitioner about any medication you are taking as this may affect your response to the acupuncture treatment.

•  Is it safe?

All our practitioners at the Kang Da Clinic are either member of British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) or Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ATCM). We strictly follow the Code of Practice which lays down stringent standards of hygiene and we only use disposable needles.

Patients who have been treated by our practitioners can receive a certificate to donate blood through the National Blood Service.