Acupuncture is used extensively in Chinese medicine to treat a wide range of conditions from pain and asthma to Psoriasis and anxiety. At Natural Elements we use Acupuncture alongside our Physiotherapy techniques to treat a variety of conditions but most commonly seen are :

- Arthritis

- Back Pain

- Migraines / tension headaches

- Insomnia

- Nerve pain e.g shingles, trapped nerves

Our nervous system is rather like a complicated wiring system within the body, sending electrical messages, including pain, to and from the brain where they are processed and made sense of. Just like any other wire there is only so much bandwidth or information any nerve can carry. Acupuncture is a really great way of getting the nerve to switch off some of these pain signals. It also promotes the release of the body's own natural painkillers.

Acupuncture is not provided AT ALL for the following conditions

- Unstable heart conditions e.g AF, Arrhythmias, heart faliure

- Poorly controlled epilepsy.

- Poorly controlled diabetes

- Early pregnancy ( 1st trimester )

- Infected or fragile skin.

Used with caution for the following conditions: ( Please contact us for further info )

- Diabetes ( with nerve damage )

- Unstable blood pressure

- Haemophilia / thrombocytopenia / anti-coagulant therapy

- Previous malignancy

The million dollar question!

The needles used for Acupuncture are as fine as a human hair - nothing like those used for injections or taking blood. Patients sometimes describe it as a stinging sensation but often find I've already popped in three needles before they say "tell me when you're going to start"

There are some points that can be a little more uncomfortable than others but you will never be expected to sit there gritting your teeth. If you don't like it, then tell us and the needles come out. It's all totally within your control.

Side effects are thankfully minimal. By far the most common is feeling a little lightheaded or faint due to a slight drop in blood pressure. If it happens it happens then and there - not hours later - and it's easily remedied by removing the needles and lying down for a few minutes to let the blood pressure settle.

The other side effect is minor bleeding at the needle site.

Electro-Acupuncture is a modern form of the therapy which involves a very small electrical current being passed through the needles. The same traditional points and needles are used and it feels like a pleasant humming or buzzing sensation. The benefits being that it covers a wider area of the body and can enhance the benefits of traditional acupuncture. It's not suitable for those with a pacemaker or some kinds of heart disease but as always your therapist will always check carefully before deciding on any treatment programme.

Firstly, congratulations !

Yes and no... Acupuncture isn't advised in the first trimester of pregnancy but thereafter it can be used to treat conditions such as morning sickness, back pain, migraines and a whole host of other pregnancy related issues. There are some points that are best avoided but on the whole treatment can be very successful. Annie provides Acupuncture for during pregnancy.

Whilst Acupuncture has been used by some women very successfully to assist in conceiving really as Physio's it is beyond the scope of our practice and we would suggest that you seek a fertility specialist if considering Acupuncture.

Annie and Alex use Acupuncture and are also State Registered Physiotherapists. Both have done additional post graduate training and carry appropriate qualifications and additional insurance. In addition Alex uses Electro-Acupuncture which uses a small electrical current passed through the needles to get a deeper stimulation.