|
|
|
I am a member of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) and the following information is provided by BAcC as basic information for patients. The BAcC have a comprehensive web site at www.acupuncture.org.uk that has further information regarding many aspects of acupuncture.
The British Acupuncture Council
The
British Acupuncture Council is a registering body for professional
acupuncturists. Our aim is to ensure the health and safety of the
public at all times. We do this by maintaining high standards of
education, ethics, discipline and practice. Acupuncturists registered
with the British Acupuncture Council carry the letters MBAcC after
their name.
When you choose to visit a BAcC member you can be sure that your practitioner:
- has
completed a first degree level training in traditional acupuncture
including appropriate elements of western medical
sciences, or its
equivalent
- abides by the Council’s Code of Safe Practice and Code of Professional Conduct
- complies with current health and safety legislation
- is approved by the National Blood Service and is entitled to issue you with a blood donation certificate
- is covered by full Professional Indemnity and Public/Products Liability insurance
- updates their practice skills by following an individual programme of continuing professional development
Acupuncture works
Acupuncture is a tried and tested system of complementary medicine. The Chinese and other eastern cultures have been using acupuncture to restore, promote and maintain good health for thousands of years.
Nowadays more and more people are finding this long established therapy can offer an effective solution to all manner of today’s ills.
Acupuncture is now widely used and accepted all over the world and in the UK there are currently over 2800 qualified acupuncturists registered with the British Acupuncture Council.
The point of acupuncture
Good health is not just the absence of pain or disease.
Traditional
acupuncture works to maintain the body’s equilibrium by focusing on all
aspects of wellbeing; physical, mental, emotional.
According to
traditional Chinese philosophy, our health is dependent on the body’s
motivating energy moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series
of channels beneath the skin. This energy is known as qi.
The
flow of qi can be disturbed by any number of factors. These include
emotional states such as anxiety, anger, or grief, as well as poor
nutrition, hereditary factors, infections, and trauma. When the qi is
unbalanced, illness may result.
The acupuncturist inserts
ultra fine needles at chosen points along the channels of energy. The
aim is to stimulate the body’s own healing response and restore its
natural balance.
Treatment is aimed at the root of your
condition, as well as your symptoms. This approach can lead to a more
permanent resolution of your problems.
Who has acupuncture?
Many people come to acupuncture for help with specific symptoms or conditions, and some because they simply feel generally unwell. Others choose acupuncture to enhance their feeling of wellbeing. Acupuncture is considered suitable for all ages, including babies and children. It can also be used alongside conventional medicine.
What happens when I go for treatment?
You will be asked about your current symptoms, what treatment you have received, your medical history, your diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and emotional state. The acupuncturist is also likely to feel your pulses on both wrists, and may ask to look at your tongue. The acupuncture points used are not always close to the part of the body where you experience the problem. For example, although you might suffer from headaches, needles may be inserted in your foot or hand.
How many sessions will I need?
Frequency and length of treatment depends on your individual condition. Some change is usually felt after five treatments, although occasionally only one or two treatments are required. Some patients may need treatment over several months or long-term. Your acupuncturist will normally ask to see you once or twice a week at first.
Should my doctor know?
If you have been prescribed medication it makes sense to tell your doctor that you are planning to have acupuncture. You should always tell your acupuncturist about any medication you are taking as this may affect your response to the acupuncture treatment.
Is it safe?
Acupuncture has a very sound track record. The needles used are single-use, sterile and disposable. Responses to treatment can sometimes include tiredness or mild dizziness, and on occasion minor bruising may occur. However, all such reactions are short-lived.
What does it feel like?
Acupuncture needles are much finer than needles used for injections and blood tests. When the needle is inserted, the sensation is often described as a tingling or dull ache.
| |
|
|