About Acupuncture
Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of very fine, single-use, sterile needles into specific points of the body, and at varying depths. From a western medicine perspective, this triggers a number of biochemical, physiological and anatomical mechanisms that result in improved health. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, this allows Qi/natural energy to flow freely around the channels (also known as meridians), in the body. Each point has an individual purpose and the practitioner will choose a combination of points to needle, specific to the individual person. TCM treats the whole person - physiologically (body) and psychologically (mind). It considers health as, not just an absence of disease, but as a balanced state of all parts of the whole person.
Acupuncture has become particularly well known for pain relief and to support pregnancy, fertility, and assisted reproduction techniques such as IVF.  In Europe today more and more people are seeking acupuncture and finding it effective for treating a variety of physical, mental, and emotional health-related issues. The evidence to support acupuncture has grown exponentially over the last 20 years. The British Acupuncture Council has also published factsheets which provide a summary of the evidence in support of acupuncture for a variety of conditions. Alongside the use of needles, there are many other techniques and treatments used in Traditional Chinese Medicine such as Moxa, Gua Sha and Tui Na.
