Acupuncture Treatment

Acupuncture involves the insertion of needles into the skin and underlying tissues in key ‘points’ for therapeutic or preventative purposes. It is one of the medical disciplines that make up Traditional Chinese Medicine (T.C.M) and has been practiced in China for over 2000 years.

With modern sterile, single-use, disposable needles, acupuncture has an outstanding safety record. Rarely, patients experience temporary, mild worsening of symptoms before improvements begin to occur. Often the relaxing effects of acupuncture mean that patients feel a greater sense of well-being and vitality.

Acupuncture needles are very different from hypodermic needles used for injections or blood sampling; they are twenty times smaller and generally painless. Patients typically have little or no sensation of the acupuncture needle insertion when applied by a trained practitioner.

Acupuncture diagnosis and treatment begins with a detailed consultation to obtain information about the patient’s medical history, symptoms and goals for treatment. The acupuncturist then inspects and carefully palpates the injured site. The practitioner may also inspect the patient’s tongue and feel the qualities of the radial pulse, which give important clues to the patient’s overall health status according to T.C. M principles. The information gathered from the consultation and examination, is then used to reach a diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan.

This is a modern form of acupuncture, often practiced by osteopaths and other therapists. It uses the same acupuncture needles as in traditional acupuncture.

At BOP Ben Gottesman, Matt Schofield and Grant Sheppard may combine this treatment with osteopathy.