Treatment

Traditional acupuncture treats the root cause of a condition as well as the symptoms. It treats you as a whole and as an individual. So you might come for treatment for one thing and find other issues also improve. You're likely to feel more like yourself, sleep better, have more energy, feel more joy and be able to cope with life's ups and downs with greater confidence.

Acupuncture can be given alongside other therapies and/or medication, in almost all circumstances. This is particularly useful if you are undertaking treatment such as IVF, chemo or radiotherapy.

How many treatments will I need?

This depends on your symptoms, how long you have had them and other health factors. Treatment tends to be weekly to start with and spaced out if progress is made. Mostly a difference is felt after the first or second treatment and sustained with additional treatment. Many people continue with treatment after their initial complaint has improved because they find it helps their general health and wellbeing.

What happens during treatment?

At your first visit a comprehensive medical history is taken including your current symptoms, sleep pattern, diet, and lifestyle. I'll do some physical checks followed by your first treatment. Whilst some questions may not seem relevant, they help me form a diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to you as a whole rather than just your condition.

Sometimes needles are inserted for just a few seconds, or you may be left to relax for a while before they are removed. The needles are so fine so that often you won't feel them being inserted. It's normal to feel a mild tingle or dull ache as your acupuncturist adjusts the needle. Many people feel deeply relaxed during treatment.

Subsequent sessions begin with a review of how you're feeling followed by treatment.

Afterwards you're likely to feel calm and relaxed. Acupuncture has very few side effects and they are usually mild. Tiredness, a mild headache, feeling light headed, skin reactions (rare), or aggravation of a condition (generally short-lived) all show your body is responding positively.

You may feel a little tired or sleepy so, if you can, follow with a relatively quiet day, especially after your first treatment.

Treatment costs

First Treatment (please allow up to 2 hours): £75

Includes a comprehensive medical and health history and your first treatment.

Subsequent Treatments (45 - 60 minutes): £51 (£53 from 17/10/23)

Cancellation Policy - please give me as much notice as possible. I reserve the right to charge the full treatment fee for cancellations within 24 hours. Exceptional circumstances will, of course, be taken into account.

Other techniques to support your treatment

I will tailor treatment to your needs so may suggest incorporating other techniques to enhance your acupuncture.

AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE

I use ear acupuncture alongside body acupuncture points to enhance overall treatment. There are specific treatments for the following areas:

• To help stop smoking
• Weight loss and over eating
• Insomnia
• Gaming and gambling addiction
• Drug and alcohol addiction

Treatment involves the use of small needles, as well as ear seeds (a tiny 'seed' attached to a small sticky plaster) which are retained and provide continued benefit after treatment.

CUPPING

A popular treatment that I use alongside acupuncture or in its own right. Cupping is not painful, but you will feel a pulling sensation on the skin. Suction causes the skin and superficial muscle layer to be drawn into the cup. You may have a ‘bruised’ appearance in the shape of the cups on the area of the body stimulated. Research has shown that no blood vessels are broken and the muscles have not been traumatised in any way. The redness indicates there has been an increase in the circulation under the cups.

Cupping is effective at:

• Encouraging circulation - fantastic for tension and pain, especially due to sitting at a PC regularly
• Helping adhesions and scarring by lifting, separating and hydrating the muscle tissues
• Clearing inflammation, congestion and stagnation of the skin, muscle, bones, joints and organs
• Rebuilding healthy tissue and helping the body to regenerate

MOXIBUSTION

Moxa is a herb (mugwort) used to warm and nourish in Chinese Medicine. I use it frequently within my practice and patients find it warming and relaxing.

Moxa is placed directly onto the skin, lit and allowed to slowly smoulder, enabling its therapeutic heat to permeate. I carefully remove the moxa before it burns down to the skin.

GUA SHA

Gently scraping the skin with a rounded tool to stimulate circulation and treat muscle pain or tenderness.

A relaxing treatment which can be used all over the body including the neck and face. I apply a small amount of oil and apply pressure, directed by you.

This can then raise small, red, rash like dots at the surface of the skin. These marks are not painful and clear within a few days. They're a good indicator of what is happening in the body and where the stagnation is.

It can help:

• Neck, Shoulder and Back pain
• Frozen shoulder
• Headaches and Migraine
• Jaw clenching
• Soft tissue injuries
• Scoliosis
• Spondylosis
• Tennis and golfer elbow
• Upper respiratory infections or difficulty breathing
• Colds
• Long COVID

TUI NA

Deep tissue massage to stimulate the flow of the body’s vital energy system.

Brilliant for chronic pain - in particular the neck, shoulders and back. Carried out fully clothed; relaxing yet energising.

TEISHIN

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The practice of using a short gold plated probe to improve the debilitating effects of surgery, including adhesions and scar tissue.

Teishin can also be used to stimulate acupuncture points without inserting needles.

Contact me

SARAH SHERMAN

BSc (Hons) Lic.Ac. FEA MBAcC

I offer a free 30 minute chat - I'm always happy to answer any questions on acupuncture and treatment.

sarah@sarahshermanacupuncture.co.uk

07960053170