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Acupuncture is a treatment where thin sterile acupuncture needles are inserted into specific acupuncture body points to treat a wide variety of physical or psychological conditions.
Acupuncture originated in China over 2,000 years ago. Over the last 50 years much scientific research has been done to explain how acupuncture works.
With the help of brain scans and blood tests, scientists discovered that acupuncture has a powerful effect on the brain. Acupuncture has been shown to rewire brain pathways and have a permanent healing effect.
Past 20 years
Over 13,000 studies conducted in 60 countries. Conditions studied include pain, cancer, insomnia, inflammatory conditions, infertility and many others. The quantity and quality of acupuncture research is rising exponentially. (Evidence Based Acupuncture)
2003
World Health Organisation (WHO) published a report of the evidence of acupuncture effectiveness. They identified 91 conditions that had preliminary moderate to strong evidence of acupuncture effectiveness.
2017
Publication of a major review of acupuncture effectiveness in which the authors reviewed over 1,000 trials. They found moderate to high evidence of acupuncture effectiveness for 117 conditions out of 122 conditions studied. Only five conditions were found to have little or no evidence of acupuncture effectiveness.
Stephen Janz, one of the authors concluded "It is no longer possible to say that the effectiveness of acupuncture can be attributed to the placebo effect or that it is useful only for musculoskeletal pain”.
2018
A review of 1,311 clinical guidelines from government health institutions, national guideline, and medical specialty groups from around the world found 2,189 positive recommendations of acupuncture for 107 pain and 97 non-pain conditions.
On average, it takes 17 years for new clinical research to be incorporated into clinical practice. Therefore, with the increase in the evidence of acupuncture effectiveness, it is likely that acupuncture will be recommended in more future guidelines.
2020
After 13,000 trials, thousands of reviews and an unmatched safety record, acupuncture is one of the most widely recommended treatments in contemporary medicine.
Several studies on the safety of acupuncture involving over 10.5 million treatments demonstrated that acupuncture is one of the safest forms of medical treatment. The most common side-effects reported included minor bleeding or bruising, tiredness and temporary aggravation of symptoms.
The rate of more serious adverse events was 0.00011%. In contrast, a recent meta-analysis study found that taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as Ibuprofen even for a short duration increased the risk of a heart attack.
Acupuncture is only safe if administered by a fully qualified acupuncturist. In the UK, anyone can work as an 'acupuncturist' with virtually no training. It is possible to do short courses over one to two days (sometimes referred to as 'dry needling' or 'medical acupuncture').
World Health Organization recommends a minimum of 2,500 hours of formal training to qualify as an acupuncturist. Therefore, the onus is on patients to verify how well trained their acupuncturist is.
At True Health Clinics, all acupuncturists hold UK Master of Science or Bachelor's degree level qualifications after undertaking three to four years formal training. They are registered with The British Acupuncture Council and are accredited by The Professional Standards Authority.
True Health Clinics have been inspected and are licensed by Huntingdonshire District Council for carrying out acupuncture treatments.
We use only sterile single-use acupuncture needles that are disposed of immediately after each use. We never use reusable acupuncture needles. This significantly reduces the risk of infections.
Acupuncture needles are so thin you will barely feel them penetrating the skin. Once inserted, we may adjust the needle until you feel a slight ache or tingling sensation. This sensation is a sign that we've activated the acupuncture point. Research shows that it's this sensation that induces physiological changes in the body.
That sensation shouldn't be uncomfortable and should settle within few seconds. If you feel any discomfort during your treatment, please tell your acupuncturist who will adjust the needle to make it more comfortable.
If you are still concerned about having needles inserted, why not book a 15 minutes free consultation with one of our acupuncturists and ask to try one needle so that you know how it will feel.
Fully registered, highly experienced, abide by strict code of safe practice, world-leaders in the field of acupuncture.
Prior to your consultation, you will be asked to fill out our detailed medical questionnaires. You will be asked about:
• how long you have had the problem
• how it may have started
• what factors may be stopping it getting better
• what aggravates and relieves the symptoms
• the impact on your daily activities
• medical tests and investigations
You will also be asked about your:
• past history of similar problems
• past injuries
• other illnesses
• hospitalisations or operations
• any illnesses that have affected your blood relatives
• the impact of your lifestyle on your health, for example your diet and exercise
During your initial consultation, we will ask you more questions about any aspects of your medical history that require more detail.
The examination undertaken with depend on your presenting condition, for example we may assess your posture, muscles or joints.
We may also feel your pulse on both wrists to check quality, rhythm and strength.
The structure, colour and coating of your tongue may also be examined to assess your physical health. These are very valuable techniques used by acupuncturists to confirm a diagnosis.
Once all the relevant information has been obtained, our acupuncturist will formulate the diagnosis and the most appropriate acupuncture treatment.
You may be asked to remove some of your outer clothing. To preserve your modesty, only the areas of the body being treated are exposed during the treatment and a sheet or a towel may be offered for your comfort, if required.
You will usually be asked to lie down on a treatment couch, but acupuncture can be administered with you sitting up if required.
Acupuncture needles will be inserted into the most appropriate acupuncture points. This may be away from the site of the problem. The needles will usually be left in place for an average of 10-15 minutes, although this may be shorter or longer, depending on the problem being treated. During this time most patients feel quite relaxed, some even fall asleep. At the end of the treatment, the needles will be painlessly removed. We will then safely dispose of them.
As part of your acupuncture management, you may be advised on lifestyle and healthcare improvement. For example, modifications to the levels of exercise, rest and relaxation and dietary alterations may be recommended. This lifestyle counselling will help you to recover faster and to prevent future health problems.
Electro-acupuncture enhances the effects of manual acupuncture and is particularly effective in the treating pain. It has also been shown to improve blood flow to the ovaries and the uterus, which is useful in fertility and IVF patients. During electro-acupuncture small electrical pulses are passed through the needles into acupuncture points. Patients usually experience a slight pulsating sensation. It is not painful, in fact most patients really enjoy electro-acupuncture.
For some conditions, acupuncture's effect can be enhanced by heating the points. For larger areas we use an infrared heat-lamp. Individual points are heated with moxa or moxibustion, a technique where the herb mugwort is burned near a point.
Cupping is where the air is removed from a cup and it is then placed on the patient’s skin. This vacuum effect pulls on the skin, thus generating an effect similar to acupressure. Cupping is completely painless but can leave temporary circular marks where the cups were applied. Cupping is often used to shift congestion and can have a beneficial effect in respiratory conditions such as cough, flu or bronchitis. It can also improve muscular pain.
Acupressure is where acupuncture points are stimulated by finger pressure or by a small pen-like probe. Acupressure is particularly suitable for people who would like to have acupuncture but are worried about needles. Acupressure can also be used on babies and children.
Auricular (ear) acupuncture is where acupuncture points on the ear are treated to help relieve symptoms. There are over 200 acupuncture points on the ear. These can be stimulated with small needles or magnetic or herbal seeds. These needles or seeds can be left in place for up to several days in order to stimulate acupuncture points for longer.
"Fantastic service and care. Irina at Godmanchester clinic was so accommodating for the planning of my pre and post embryo transfer acupuncture. I was having to travel 100 miles and would not even know until the last minute if if the procedure would go ahead. She went out of her way to fit me in her busy schedule. I felt in very good hands and had total confidence in her ability. She was calm and patient and I did not feel rushed although I know her time was stretched . Thankyou"
"I came away feeling fully informed, very relaxed and positive following on from my first consultation /acupuncture treatment. Irina is very professional, friendly and makes you feel that you are in the very best hands. The acupuncture was completely pain free and the heat treatment very soothing. I am particularly grateful for all of the advice that Irina gives me, she takes into account the whole picture of your presenting complaint. I like her honest approach and realistic expectation to each individual case. I would not hesitate to recommend Irina (True Health Clinics)."
"I can’t speak highly enough of Irina. She made me feel like I was her only patient. Her expertise in fertility made me completely confident that I was in good hands and she answered every question with detailed, evidence-based knowledge. Irina gave me hope and positivity when I felt I had none and she filled with me confidence that this pregnancy would be different. Irina is professional, sympathetic, and thoughtful. I just wished I had found her seven years ago."
"Thank you to Philip for his support throughout my treatments. He has been professional, but also supportive at each session. Each session has been personalised to my needs and has helped me a great deal."
"I’ve been having acupuncture done for last couple of weeks and the level of professionalism and attention to details exceeded my expectation. Superb clinic!"
"My treatment is administered by Philip Rose-Neil and he is absolutely superb. I must say it is a real treat/tonic going to see him and I have already made two referrals to friends as he has changed my life."
"I was very impressed by how thorough my first appointment was! I really appreciate that Irina took the time to complete a full medical history and look into my overall health, not just my fertility concerns."
"Today was my first experience of Acupuncture and I have to say I was very skeptical, however feeling the muscle in my thigh contract and release at each insertion of a needle (which incidentally was totally pain free) proved my skepticism unfounded. I can't wait for my next appointment with Irina."
"First experience of acupuncture and very pleased with the amount of detail and holistic approach that was taken in treating me."
"My first ever experience of acupuncture, and it was so good I nearly dozed off!! It might be my imagination, but I feel that it is easier to pick things up from the floor, whereas that has been difficult for me lately. Will see what tomorrow brings! Looking forward to meeting Philip for further treatment..."
Registered with The British Acupuncture Council
Registered with The General Osteopathic Council
Accredited by The Professional Standards Authority
Member of The British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis
True Health Clinics
34 Cambridge Road
Godmanchester
Huntingdon
PE29 2BT
01480435554
Patients travel to see us from a wide area, including Huntingdon, Peterborough, Cambridge, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and London.
