Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who has acupuncture?

A: Many people come to acupuncture for help with specific symptoms or conditions. Others choose acupuncture as a preventive measure to strengthen their constitution, or because they just feel generally unwell. Acupuncture is considered suitable for all ages, including babies and children. It can be used alongside conventional medicine. Please see our patient case history blog on how patients benefitted from having acupuncture

Q: What happens during consultation and treatment?

A: You will be asked about your current symptoms, what treatment you have received, you medical history, your diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and emotional state. The acupuncturist will also ask to take pictures of your tongue to help with your diagnosis and record keeping. Please tell your acupuncturist have the names of any medication you are taking and email us medical reports and blood results before your consultation. It would be really useful to have a think about all the signs and symptoms that are related to your issue and inform your practitioner. The acupuncture points used during treatment may not always be close to the point of the body where you experience the problem.

Q: Is it safe?

A: Acupuncture has a very sound track record. The needles used are single- use, sterile and disposable. Responses to treatment can sometimes include tiredness or mild dizziness, and on occasion minor bruising may occur. However, all such reactions are are very rare and often short- lived.

Q: What does it feel like?

A: Acupuncture needles are much finer than needles used for injection and blood tests. When the needle is inserted, the sensation is often described as a tingling or strong pressure.

Q: How many sessions will I need?

A: Frequency and length of treatment depends on your individual condition. Most patients feel some change after their first session and more as the treatments progress. Occasionally only one or two treatments are required for acute conditions. Patients who are able to follow advice and make changes to diet, lifestyle and exercise routine tends to require less sessions.

Q: How long will my treatment be?

A: Initial consultation and treatment will take around 60 minutes. Subsequent follow up acupuncture treatments will be 30/45 minutes approx.

Q: Do I need to bring anything with me?

A: It is best to wear lose fitting clothes that are easy to to undress or provide easy access to arms and legs. 

Q: Should my doctor know?

A: Please do inform your doctor that you are receiving acupuncture treatments if you are under the care for chronic conditions. You should always tell your acupuncturist about any medication you are taking as this may affect your response to the acupuncture treatment and any side effects from your medication can be taken into account.

Q: Anything I should do and avoid prior to my acupuncture treatment?

A: Please have breakfast and do not consume alcohol prior to treatments.

Q: Who may not be able to have it?

A: Due to the slight risk of bleeding, people with bleeding disorders, such as haemophilia (where blood is unable to clot) may not be able to have acupuncture. People who take medicines that prevent the blood clotting, called anticoagulants, also may not be able to have acupuncture. If you have a blood disorder, or you are taking medicine that prevents blood clots, talk to your GP before you have acupuncture. It is generally safe to have acupuncture when you are pregnant, but you should let your acupuncturist know beforehand. This is because certain acupuncture points cannot be used safely during pregnancy.

Q: When should I arrive for my appointment?

A: Please arrive on time for your appointment. If you are early for your appointment, please wait in the car or by the front door as there is no waiting facility inside the clinic. You can get a small discount from Coco& Nut cafe along the shopping parade if you let them know you are a patient of the clinic.

Q: Privacy and General Date Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Patients are required to complete a simple registration form capturing basic personal information such as name, address, contact number, email, registered GP practice as well as relevant medical history. This information is used to identify and communicate with patient and send herbal medicine prescription when required. It is encrypted and stored securely for seven years under section 8 of the BAcC Code of Professional Conduct and will not be shared with any third party. In the case of patients under 18 years of age, records are kept until the patient reaches the age of twenty-five (seven years after reaching eighteen). 

Written consent must be supplied by patient when requesting clinical information to be shared with other medical professional or insurance company. 

Call 07888841502 or email ivyxxu@xuclinic.co.uk to enquire or your book your appointment.