FAQ

Well, the most truthful answer is: Sometimes, yes. Mostly, no. I don’t believe in needling to cause pain; my treatments are successful without that. Inevitably there are some points that are sensitive to stimulation, and sometimes we don’t know what those are until they show themselves.
I find that it helps to ask my clients to breathe in, and then insert the needle on the outbreath, when the muscles are relaxing.

Acupuncture is based on the movement of qi (also called energy, breath, life force), and bringing balance and harmony to qi that is affected by stressors.

This depends somewhat on the presenting symptoms, and underlying condition. I try to keep the number of insertions below 8; sometimes it’s more, sometimes less. Sometimes I treat the back, remove needles and then use a couple of points on the front – mostly leg points.

Suction cups can be used to draw stagnant qi to the surface, for dispersal through massage or acupuncture. Placed over a perceived knot in a muscle, for example, cupping can help to clear pain and improve movement in the local area. It sometimes leaves a hickey, or a bruise, and sometimes does not

Moxa is an herb, mugwort, harvested and pressed into cylindrical shapes for burning; it somewhat resembles incense, or smudgesticks. Some forms of moxa are also carbonised to make them less smoky.
Moxa is used to tonify the action of an acupoint by increasing the amount of qi available. It can be used as a needle-top treatment or held like a pencil approximately 1 cm above the skin.

In Chinese medicine, qi (pronounced “chee”) is a fundamental concept often described as the vital life force or energy that flows through all living things. It’s believed to circulate in the body along pathways called meridians, maintaining health and balance when it flows smoothly.

In traditional Chinese thought, qi is central to understanding how the body, mind, and environment are interconnected. When qi is abundant and balanced, a person experiences good health and vitality. However, if qi becomes blocked, deficient, or excessive, it is thought to lead to illness or emotional distress.

Practices like acupuncture aim to balance and harmonize qi for improved well-being.

Gua sha is a traditional Chinese healing technique that involves scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool, often made of jade or rose quartz, to improve circulation and promote healing. The word “gua” means “to scrape,” while “sha” refers to the redness or petechiae (small red dots) that can appear on the skin during the process.

No. If I needled my clients’ nerves, no one would ever return! Acupoints are like stops on a qi road map, some points are specific in function, some have multiple applications depending how they are combined in a formula. Needles are inserted in the points and channels most likely to be useful in the treatment.

Acupuncture can be used to effect change in many and varied conditions including:

– Respiratory disorders, mental health challenges (like anxiety), headache in its different forms, and various musculo-skeletal conditions

– Side effects of pregnancy including morning sickness, all-day nausea, muscle aches and pains, breech presentation, bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, overdue for dates and delayed labour

– Side effects of chemotherapy treatment like nausea, headache, and lethargy.

Health funds often include coverage for massage therapy, acupuncture, pregnancy and birth services in their benefits. It’s worth confirming with your provider, as all or part of the cost of my services could be reimbursed.

I accept all usual methods of payment, including cash, Mastercard, Visa and bank transfer.