- Why do you use acupuncture points that are far away from where the problem lies?
Each acupuncture point has a specific action on the body when it is stimulated by acupuncture or acupressure. Acupuncture points lie along the course of specific channels called meridians along which Qi, or energy, flows. Meridians run throughout your entire body and are interconnected, forming an intricate network that enables Qi to flow smoothly. Acupuncture points can exert specific effects along the entire course of the meridian.
For example, the Large Intestine meridian flows from the tip of the index finger along the arm to the shoulder, along the side of your neck to your face. An acupuncture point that lies on this meridian exists on the back of your hand which is often used to treat headache, because the course of its meridian reaches the head.
- Can I get acupuncture on the NHS?
Yes, acupuncture is slowly becoming more widely available on the NHS but services are usually restricted to specific users or specific locations. Some GP surgeries and physiotherapists offer acupuncture treatments free of charge although it is common practice to charge a fee for them. Ask your doctor for more details to see if you are entitled to acupuncture treatment on the NHS.
- Are there any circumstances where you should not have acupuncture?
Acupuncture is generally not recommended if you:
• have low blood counts - the risk of bleeding is increased if you have a low platelet count, and the risk of infection is increased if you have a low white blood cell count
• suffer from haemophilia
• have lymphoedema as the risk of infection is increased if acupuncture is performed on limbs with poor lymph drainage.
Acupuncture must be performed by a competent practitioner such as Sing Sing if you:
• are pregnant - some acupuncture points should be avoided or stimulated more gently as strong stimulation can cause contractions of the womb
• are undergoing fertility treatments, such as IUI and IVF
• wear a pacemaker or have a heart murmur.
- What is the difference between Western and Traditional acupuncture?
Western acupuncture bases its diagnoses and principles of acupuncture treatment on modern concepts of Western medicine. Most conventional doctors, nurses and physiotherapists use this form of acupuncture and tend to work by isolating the problem being treated and concentrating on establishing changes in the pathophysiology of that condition.
Traditional acupuncture focuses centrally on the theories of Qi flow along meridians and of yin and yang in order to establish patterns of disharmony within the body. Practitioners of traditional acupuncture view the body holistically and aim to balance the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects in order to address the problems that are happening throughout your body. This makes traditional acupuncture particularly popular amongst those who present with a number of apparently unconnected problems which may actually be classic symptoms and signs of a certain disharmony seen in traditional Chinese medical practice.
- What should I look for in an acupuncturist?
You should always check the following from your acupuncturist and herbalist:
- they are fully insured and registered with the relevant regulatory bodies
- details of qualifications and the duration of training they have undertaken for their therapies
- whether they have had experience in treating the problem that you are suffering from and what their success rate is like
- how many treatments they would expect you to need before you will notice improvements.
- Is acupuncture covered by my private health insurance?
Patients may be able to claim partial or entire costs of their acupuncture treatments with the following private healthcare companies:
Please check your individual entitlement on your policy. Companies may require that you obtain a receipt from us which can either be provided after each treatment or at the end of a course of treatment. If your private health insurance company is not listed above, please check with them directly.
- Why do you change the acupuncture points when you see me for treatments?
You may find that Sing Sing changes your acupuncture prescription between your visits. This may be because your condition has responded to previous treatments and the acupuncture points must therefore be altered in order to continue supporting that effect. Some acupuncture points tend to work best when used alongside other points for certain conditions and it is quite common, particularly for long-standing problems, for Sing Sing to alternate between sets of acupuncture points in order that you receive the most benefit from your treatment.
Each acupuncture point has a specific action on the body when it is stimulated by acupuncture or acupressure. Acupuncture points lie along the course of specific channels called meridians along which Qi, or energy, flows. Meridians run throughout your entire body and are interconnected, forming an intricate network that enables Qi to flow smoothly. Acupuncture points can exert specific effects along the entire course of the meridian.
For example, the Large Intestine meridian flows from the tip of the index finger along the arm to the shoulder, along the side of your neck to your face. An acupuncture point that lies on this meridian exists on the back of your hand which is often used to treat headache, because the course of its meridian reaches the head.
- Can I get acupuncture on the NHS?
Yes, acupuncture is slowly becoming more widely available on the NHS but services are usually restricted to specific users or specific locations. Some GP surgeries and physiotherapists offer acupuncture treatments free of charge although it is common practice to charge a fee for them. Ask your doctor for more details to see if you are entitled to acupuncture treatment on the NHS.
- Are there any circumstances where you should not have acupuncture?
Acupuncture is generally not recommended if you:
• have low blood counts - the risk of bleeding is increased if you have a low platelet count, and the risk of infection is increased if you have a low white blood cell count
• suffer from haemophilia
• have lymphoedema as the risk of infection is increased if acupuncture is performed on limbs with poor lymph drainage.
Acupuncture must be performed by a competent practitioner such as Sing Sing if you:
• are pregnant - some acupuncture points should be avoided or stimulated more gently as strong stimulation can cause contractions of the womb
• are undergoing fertility treatments, such as IUI and IVF
• wear a pacemaker or have a heart murmur.
- What is the difference between Western and Traditional acupuncture?
Western acupuncture bases its diagnoses and principles of acupuncture treatment on modern concepts of Western medicine. Most conventional doctors, nurses and physiotherapists use this form of acupuncture and tend to work by isolating the problem being treated and concentrating on establishing changes in the pathophysiology of that condition.
Traditional acupuncture focuses centrally on the theories of Qi flow along meridians and of yin and yang in order to establish patterns of disharmony within the body. Practitioners of traditional acupuncture view the body holistically and aim to balance the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects in order to address the problems that are happening throughout your body. This makes traditional acupuncture particularly popular amongst those who present with a number of apparently unconnected problems which may actually be classic symptoms and signs of a certain disharmony seen in traditional Chinese medical practice.
- What should I look for in an acupuncturist?
You should always check the following from your acupuncturist and herbalist:
- they are fully insured and registered with the relevant regulatory bodies
- details of qualifications and the duration of training they have undertaken for their therapies
- whether they have had experience in treating the problem that you are suffering from and what their success rate is like
- how many treatments they would expect you to need before you will notice improvements.
- Is acupuncture covered by my private health insurance?
Patients may be able to claim partial or entire costs of their acupuncture treatments with the following private healthcare companies:
- Simplyhealth (formerly HSA)
- Medisure - this company may require a doctor's referral letter.
- Sovereign Health Care
- HSF Health Plan
- National Friendly
- Health Shield
Please check your individual entitlement on your policy. Companies may require that you obtain a receipt from us which can either be provided after each treatment or at the end of a course of treatment. If your private health insurance company is not listed above, please check with them directly.
- Why do you change the acupuncture points when you see me for treatments?
You may find that Sing Sing changes your acupuncture prescription between your visits. This may be because your condition has responded to previous treatments and the acupuncture points must therefore be altered in order to continue supporting that effect. Some acupuncture points tend to work best when used alongside other points for certain conditions and it is quite common, particularly for long-standing problems, for Sing Sing to alternate between sets of acupuncture points in order that you receive the most benefit from your treatment.