The Treatments

 I am able to offer the following treatments:

• Acupuncture
• Ear Acupuncture
• Moxibustion
• Western Herbs
• Microstim

  

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has a long and venerable history in China, and it is growing in popularity in the West. It can help in a very wide range of conditions and illnesses, even some which cannot be helped by orthodox medicine.  In a state of health, the body is suffused with vital energy (called Qi in Chinese medicine).  When one is run down or exhausted, this energy may become blocked or depleted, and there is no longer enough Qi for the body to function well.  At first this gives rise to tiredness and discomfort, but if this continues for a long time, real disease may develop.  

Channels, meridians, points

Qi flows along lines (called channels or meridians) all over the body.  Most of these originate in the trunk, and go out along an arm or limb.  The Qi concentrates at specific ‘acupuncture points’.  By inserting a needle at these points, the energy flow is invigorated along the whole length of the channel.  This means that points can be used which are far away from the main site of the trouble.  For example, headaches and eye problems may be treated by points on the feet, lung problems may be treated by points on the hands.  Acupuncture works by strengthening Qi and restoring its flow.  Once Qi is restored, healing starts to take place.

In a treatment, needles are inserted at various points on the body and limbs.  The needles themselves are very fine (they could pass down the centre of a hypodermic needle).  After insertion they may be moved gently to produce the desired result on the energy, and then they are left in place for about 15  minutes.  In many conditions the sensation is no more than a slight prick (although sometimes a shooting nerve-like sensation is experienced).  It is common to feel very relaxed and almost fall asleep during this period

Ear Acupuncture

There is a system of reflex points on the ears, with a point for each part of the body. In some circumstances it is better to treat these points than body points.  They are of especial use in drug detox, giving up smoking, and in patients who are very frail.  The points may be treated with needles, or occasionally they are stimulated by tiny seeds. These are kept in place by sticking plaster.

 

Moxibustion

Sometimes the acupuncture points are warmed with a smouldering herb called moxa.  This may be in the form of a ‘cigar’ which is held over the point, sometimes a ball is placed on the needle to warm it, sometimes small cones are burnt directly on the skin to provide a stronger stimulation. (These are removed before they burn right down).  Moxibustion is especially helpful for cold conditions, and for those who are afraid of needles.  It is moxa which gives the treatment room its characteristic smell.

 

Western Herbs

Medicines from plants have been used by man since the earliest times, and plant derivatives are still widely used for a wide range of diseases even in orthodox medicine(for example digoxin, which comes from foxglove).  In herbal medicine we only use non-toxic plants whose effectiveness has been verified over thousands of years.  They are gentler in their action, with no side effects.  In spite of being gentle, they may provide a cure for long standing conditions that cannot be reached by orthodox medicine.  In most non-urgent conditions, herbs are good medicines to start with.


They are normally prescribed in the form of tinctures.  20 to 40 drops are easily taken in a small glass of water.  If children do not like the taste, they make take the drops in a sweetened drink.

Microstim

This is a variation on traditional acupuncture where the points are stimulated by a minute electric current  (40 to 100 µA) - so small that it cannot be felt.  Contact is made through a moistened cotton bud, so that the skin is not penetrated.  This method is especially effective for pain relief, and is used with marvelous effect on children.   It also has a special use for retinal diseases

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