A complete case history will be taken on the first visit in order to assess your general state of health, to identify the underlying pattern of disharmony and enable the practitioner to give you the most effective treatment. You will be asked about your current signs and symptoms and what treatment you have received so far, your medical history and that of your close family, your diet, digestive system, sleeping pattern and emotional state.
To discover how the energies in your body are flowing, your pulse will be felt on both wrists, noting their quality, rhythm and strength. The shape, colour and coating of your tongue also gives a good guide to your physical health. Once enough information has been gathered to determine the likely causes of your problems, an appropriate treatment can be selected. The aim is to discover which energy channels need adjusting for your specific complaint to improve, and which require treatment to boost your overall energy and vitality.
There are around 500 recognised acupuncture points on the body, of which about 100 are most commonly used. Stimulation of specific areas on the skin affects the functioning of certain organs in the body. However those areas may not be close to the part of the body where the problem is experienced. For example, although you may suffer from headaches, needles may be inserted in your feet or hands. Needle treatment may be supplemented with moxa, a smouldering herb which is used to warm acupuncture points to encourage the body's energy to flow smoothly. Massage may also be incorporated where necessary, particularly if the patient has a fear of needles or is extremely sensitive.