Annabel White
Acupuncture
LicAc BSc (Hons) MBAcc
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the earliest established forms of healthcare in the world. It originated in China approximately 2,500 years ago and is now practised across the globe. Traditional styles of Acupuncture utilise an understanding of harmony within the body, along with effective treatment plans to counter the effects of illnesses.
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As an Acupuncturist, I focus on the individual rather than on a particular sign or symptom in isolation.
The mind-body is seen as a system and understanding the relationship between the various parts is central to making a diagnosis and treatment plan. The focus is on the whole individual and the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of life are seen as interdependent.
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I use subtle diagnostic techniques, such as pulse taking and observations of the tongue, which have been developed and refined for thousands of years to individualise your treatment.
This knowledge then guides the diagnosis and leads to the selection of acupuncture points to be treated and whether to use moxibustion or needles; this will be discussed in the treatment room.
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Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points on the body, in order to regulate the flow of ‘Qi’ along pathways known as ‘meridians’.
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I may use other techniques such as moxibustion, cupping, tuina/massage, and guasha.
What can Acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture can treat a wide variety of conditions and the most comprehensive research and information about the efficacy of Acupuncture can be found on the British Acupuncture Council website, which you can access by following the link below.
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It is recommended to initially be treated with acupuncture once a week, although you may need more frequent treatments if your condition is acute.
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Long standing or chronic conditions will often need more time to see improvements, although each person is unique. As you start to feel the benefits from treatment, we can discuss further your appointment schedules.
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The aim of acupuncture is to encourage your body to maintain its own internal balance without continual treatment, so once your health has stabilised, you may only need top-up treatments every now and again.
My Specialities
Traditional Chinese Medicine
(TCM)
TCM encompasses several methods designed to help patients achieve and maintain their health.
This includes using fine sterilised needles inserted into specific points, moxibustion, tui na massage, cupping & guasha.
TCM works to treat the Qi, Blood and Yin &Yang aspect of a person in order to create harmony within the body and to alleviate illness.
Five Element
Five Element Acupuncture focuses on the belief that each person is born with a constitutional element. By treating this element it is believed that you are treating the person as a whole, rather than just the mind, body and spirit separately. The elements, which are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water represent the fundamental bases of Five Element Acupuncture.
Techniques I may use in your session:
Moxibustion is a therapy that involves burning moxa. Moxa (Mugwort root) is a spongy herb used to facilitate healing. The purpose of moxibustion is to warm and invigorate the blood to stimulate the flow of Qi.
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Cupping is a type of Chinese massage, consisting of placing several heated glass “cups,” on the body. The cups are warmed using a cotton ball or other flammable substance, which is placed inside the cup to remove all the oxygen. The heat source is then removed before the practitioner places the cup against the skin. The air in the cup then cools, creating lower pressure inside the cup, thus creating a vacuum and causing the skin to be drawn up into the cup.
Depending on the condition being treated, the cups will either be left in place for 5 to 10 minutes or when combined with massage oil, the cups can be slid around the back. Drawing up the skin stimulates the flow of blood assisting balance and realigning the flow of Qi. It also breaks up stagnation and creates an avenue for toxins to be drawn out of the body.
“Gua Sha,” is a technique that uses a smooth object to scrape along the skin in order to release stagnation and toxins that are trapped under the surface of the skin. The treatment is undertaken until red spots appears. The red spots take around 3 to 10 days to heal.
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All techniques are discussed before treatment.