Chinese Medicine is an ancient natural therapy, established around 5000 years ago. It aims to promote health and well-being by correcting the flow of energy (qi) in your body. According to Chinese Medicine philosophy, qi circulates through our body in pathways or meridians which are found under the skin.

Chinese Medicine includes various modalities such as acupuncture, cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, dietary and lifestyle advice.

How can Chinese Medicine Help You?

Traditional Chinese Medicine is used to treat not only illness and disease but is also used as a preventative medicine. By strengthening and enhancing our body’s normal functions and natural defences, our immune system becomes more balanced and a harmonious sense of well-being is promoted.

Each treatment is personalised to you depending on the symptoms you present with on the day.

In Chinese Medicine, energy (qi) flows through meridians within your body.  When the flow of qi is disrupted, our bodies become unbalanced and can cause us to become unwell.   Acupuncture helps to stimulate qi in our body and bring it back to a balanced state.  We can feel stressed in our bodies which may lead to headaches, insomnia, anxiety, pain, recurrent infections and irregular menstrual cycle.  We look at the  body as a whole in the principles of Chinese Medicine and work to bring the body back into balance.  

What to Expect

At your initial consultation we review your current condition, dietary patterns, along with your medical history and lifestyle. Your radial pulse is taken along with an observation of your tongue. These are essential diagnostic tools in Chinese Medicine. With this information we establish a Chinese Medicine diagnosis.

Your acupuncture practitioner will then select points helping bring your mind and body back into harmony.  The acupuncture needles are usually retained for 20 minutes after insertion, however they may be left in for a shorter or longer period of time depending on your condition.

Your treatment may also include other therapies such as moxibustion, cupping, gua-sha, massage or prescribed herbal pills. These therapies complement and enhance your Acupuncture treatment.

If you have any medical records, x-rays, scans or blood test results please bring them to your consultation.

Allow around 60 – 90 minutes for your initial consultation. Subsequent consultations as part of a course or series of treatments will take between 60 – 75 minutes. In these consultations we assess the changes which have occurred since your list visit.

Acupuncture today uses disposable filiform needles which are not much thicker than our hair.  They are used to help balance qi within the meridians to help the person to stay well and to promote healing so the body can restore itself to optimum health.

Read more about other Traditional Chinese Medicine modalities – cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, dietary therapy.

Cupping therapy has been used in China for thousands of years.  Glass cups are placed on the skin creating a vacuum-like effect.  Cupping helps to stimulate the circulation of energy (qi) and blood which improves the immune response in the local area.  Cupping can be used to help muscular aches and pains.

Gua sha therapy involves scraping of the skin using a Chinese spoon or gua sha tool such as jade.  It is primarily applied to the back, neck, shoulders, buttock and limbs of the body.  When applying gua sha, first the area is lubricated with oil. Gua sha is used to help move qi and blood stagnation in the body.  It helps to harmonise the body to help the healing process.

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort (Artemesia Vulgaris).  It usually indirectly applied by holding a moxa stick close to the skin or placed on top of an acupuncture needle.  It is used to warm and stimulate the flow of qi in the body.

Dietary therapy can be used to help correct specific imbalances in the body. Depending on the pattern of disharmony different foods are suggested to help allow the body to create optimum energy (qi) and blood flow for health and wellbeing.