What TO EXPECT

The style of acupuncture I practice is based on the Six Divisions and Applied Channel Theory.  The Six Divisions are a feature of ancient Chinese Medicine, and Applied Channel Theory is more modern, taken from the teachings of Dr Wang Ju-Yi in China.

Your appointment will have a short consultation at the start where we discuss why you are attending and I ask about your general state of health, including your sleep, your digestion and your menstrual cycle (if you have one).  

Once this is complete I will then palpate the six channels (or meridians) on both your arms and legs.  I am looking for any changes at the acupuncture points or on the channel that often occur if there is a pathology within that division of the body.  This guides where I needle.  It means that the appointment time is longer than other styles of acupuncture, usually at least an hour and fifteen minutes.

I then insert the needles - often as few as five.  There is rarely a need to take any of your clothes off other than your shoes and socks.  As long as the sleeves and legs can be rolled up and the midriff and torso can be accessed, this is fine.

As I have palpated the channels this means the needling can be very specific.  The needles are then left for about 15 minutes and during this time you are invited to close your eyes and relax.  Patients often drift off to sleep, and this is perfect.

You need to wear loose, warm clothing, including socks, trousers and long sleeves. I work over clothing rather than touching skin.

This is mostly none verbal, so there is very little talking.  There will be an introduction where I look at how you sit or stand and then invite a few movements as an initial bench mark.  

You will then lie down on a low couch.  You may be on your back, one one side or on your belly.  I will ensure you are comfortable, in fact comfort is a priority.

I will gently move you through contact with your skeleton.  I invite you to sense the movements and allow ease to develop.  Once the lesson is finished we revisit the initial movements and sense how you feel in sitting, standing and walking.  Throughout the rest of the day and in the days following I ask that you have moments of awareness to tune in to how you are moving, sitting or standing and if there is a different choice you can make to ensure ease, efficiency and grace.