Please reach us at clinic@leedsmedicalacupuncture.co.uk if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Acupuncture needles stimulate nerves in the skin and muscle which produce a variety of effects. We know that it increases the release of the body’s natural painkillers, including endorphins and serotonin, in the pathways of the brain and spinal cord. This modifies the way pain signals are received by the brain and promotes a calming sense of wellbeing.
Current research shows that acupuncture can have a beneficial effect on many of the body’s systems – the nervous system, muscle tone, hormone production, circulation and allergic responses, as well as the respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems.
Acupuncture needles are very fine and most people are surprised at how little they feel them.
Once the needles are in place, sensations can be quite pleasant and include a warmth / heaviness / fullness / mild ache / pins and needles around them. It can feel a little sharp as the needle is inserted but this passes off very quickly.
Many symptoms can improve or get completely better with acupuncture although it does not work for everyone, being very much dependent on the individual, condition and cause of symptoms.
Different people respond in different ways and at different rates; occasionally, there is immediate relief although, more often there is gradual improvement with weekly treatments.
Acupuncture is effective in a range of painful conditions and is commonly used for short-term relief of chronic low back pain and neck pain, and can help with the management of knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.
There is good evidence that it is effective in the short term relief of tension type headaches and migraine, and of temporomandibular joint pain.
Short term improvements in the symptoms of overactive bladder syndrome (through electroacupuncture at the point SP6).
The list above is limited by the current rules governing advertising, and how they are interpreted. If you have a question about the possible role of acupuncture in a specific medical condition or in the treatment of an individual patient please contact me to discuss it.
I offer:
This is tailored to different individuals’ needs and conditions. Some people need as few as 1-2 treatments but more commonly, I arrange 6-10 weekly treatments with some monthly top-ups.
For some conditions / severe pain / nausea I arrange twice weekly treatments to help get on top of symptoms more quickly.
If you have any of the following, please speak to me about it before booking an appointment so I can decide if acupuncture will be suitable for you:
Please let me know if you are pregnant / trying to conceive.
Please do not attend if you have a cold / flu symptoms or feel generally unwell.
In the hands of properly trained practitioners, acupuncture appears to be a very safe form of treatment.
I am a professionally trained acupuncturist with a certificate in medical acupuncture from the BMAS (British Medical Acupuncture Society) and am a GMC registered doctor. I only use sterile, single-use, disposable needles.
Any procedure that involves inserting needles into the body can have some potential problems although most people have no side effects at all.
Common side effects include: momentary discomfort where the needles are inserted, minor bleeding or bruising, temporary drowsiness or sleepiness, nausea, headache, dizziness and a temporary worsening of symptoms.
Rarer side effects can include fainting and a stuck or broken needle.
Very rare side effects include local or systemic infection, infection of previously damaged heart valves, damage to an internal organ/ structure and puncture of the lung (less than 2 per million).
Please ring to discuss whether treatment could be appropriate for your child. I may treat children as long as they feel confident, relaxed and are able to stay still during the session. All children under 16 years old need to be accompanied by and have consent from a parent or guardian.
The initial appointment will usually last an hour and a half. This gives me time to find out more about your problem, take a full medical history and answer any questions you have. I will ask you to sign a consent form for the treatment.
Please allow an hour for subsequent appointments.
The number of needles varies with different conditions and will be tailored to you. In the first session, I usually use between 1 and 10 needles. They may be placed at sites where you feel pain, away from the pain or a combination of both. They usually stay in for about 20 minutes but sometimes much shorter than this.
I may gently stimulate the needles to increase their effect, either by gently rotating them or by using very tiny electrical impulses (electro-acupuncture).
If, after discussion, I feel that your condition can or should not be treated with acupuncture, I will recommend you to see your GP or appropriate specialist.
Please feel free to ask any questions / highlight any concerns you have before treatment.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, including shorts if your problem is in the leg or back.
Please make sure you have a way of tying back long hair.
Have a shower before treatment especially if you have been gardening or working outside.
Please do not bring children to the appointment with you.
Make sure you have something to eat and drink within 2 hours prior to the appointment. This reduces the possibility of feeling faint or dizzy.
Occasionally, people can feel sleepy or drowsy after acupuncture. If this happens, it is recommended not to drive. You may wish to consider bringing someone with you to the first appointment for this reason.
You are most likely to feel relaxed, calm and happy after treatment. If you are ever concerned about how you are feeling, please call me.
Drink plenty of water and try to find some time to relax.
If you do feel drowsy or sleepy, it is important not to drive or operate machinery.
It is advisable not to drink alcohol or use any non-prescribed drugs after acupuncture.
Occasionally symptoms can flare a little before getting better. This is particularly true for migraine / fibromyalgia. This doesn’t mean that the treatment won’t work. It can be helpful to keep a diary of your symptoms to share at your next appointment.
When treating muscles there may be some soreness the day after. This usually settles quickly.
If a small bruise or lump occurs where a needle has been, this is where the needle has touched a tiny blood vessel. This is quite common and will usually disappear within a week. If a large bruise appears, please contact your GP or call 111.
Although it is extremely rare to have a punctured lung (pneumothorax) with acupuncture, it is important to seek urgent medical advice if you get chest pain or shortness of breath within 48 hours of having acupuncture to the chest area, by ringing 999 immediately.
The clinic is located in Headingley / Weetwood, Leeds, in the LS16 postcode area.
There is plenty of free street parking available. Please park on the street rather than on the driveway.
Please arrive at your appointment time because there is no waiting room.
There is a sloped gravel driveway and 10 steps down to the clinic. Please let me know if this is going to prove difficult for you.
I look forward to welcoming you soon!