manage your energy more effectively
Qiworks
Gordon Peck - Acupuncture
  1. Home
  2. Acupuncture
  3. Other therapies
  4. Qigong
  5. Courses
  6. Helping yourself
  7. About Gordon Peck
  8. News
  9. FAQ
  10. Testimonials
  11. Contact

Questions


Answers


    What are the main types of Acupuncture in the UK?

  • There are several main styles of acupuncture in use.

  • Traditional Chinese Medicine

  • TCM analyses information gleaned through the four methods of diagnosis - Looking, asking, listening and palpating. Pulse, tongue, complexion, voice, and a host of other factors are considered along with the case history. This is then analyzed and treatment will be based on the pattern which emerges. Two patients with the same "disease" in western terms, could be treated quite differently in TCM, depending on how the symptoms manifested.

    • Five Elements

  • Five Elements theory is integral to all traditional styles of acupuncture and there are many ways of using it.Five Elements Acupuncture was developed in England in the 60's by JR Worsley and is still taught today. It emphasises careful observation of the patient during the consultation, to decide which of the five elements predominates in that patient. This element is considered to be the Causative Factor in that person (similar to finding the Constitutional Remedy in homoeopathy). Treatment usually focuses on the channels corresponding to that element.

    • Western (Medical) Acupuncture.

  • This approach has evolved through western medical practitioners. They do not have to use the traditional theories for using points, and most doctors consider them to be superstitious nonsense, so the training is relatively perfunctory compared with mainstream acupuncturists. Even so, there are many committed doctors involved.

    • Dry Needling

  • This approach, often offered as a weekend course for non-acupuncturists, is often referred to as acupuncture. Since it leaves out the bulk of Traditional Acupuncture theory and technique,a more accurate term is Dry Needling (as opposed to an injection). It is mainly used to treat tight muscles.

    • Stems and Branches

  • To quote from The Anglo-Dutch Institute for Oriental Medicine:
    "Everybody is born in a certain year, month, day and hour. This means that everybody is born with a complex of different energies. These energies determine the weak and strong aspects of the energy level of the patient". A stems and branches treatment involves careful calculation of these energies and the choice of points accordingly.
  • Back to top

Answers


    Does it hurt?

  • My style of acupuncture uses fine needles, with gentle stimulation. Although it is possible to feel strong sensations, patients are often surprised to find they are enjoying the treatment. The sensations of tingling, warmth or heaviness are welcome signs of activity. Needling is only one way of affecting the body energy, and massage, pressure, cupping, warming and even light touch may be used in treatment.

    • What about the needles used?

  • I use pre-sterilised disposable needles.

    • Is it safe?

  • There have been three surveys in the last six years which have shown that acupuncture is amongst the safest therapies in use in the UK today. Out of 68,000 recorded treatments in two of the 2001 surveys, there were only 14 minor (bruising, feeling nauseous) adverse events. There have been very few reports of serious adverse events, and most adverse effects last no more than a day or so.

    • What should I do before treatment?

  • Don't go hungry, but try not to have a large meal before your appointment You should also avoid alcohol, and food or drinks which colour your tongue immediately before treatment. If it is your first visit, please bring a note of any medications you are taking, think about why you are coming and arrive ten minutes early to fill in a basic questionnaire. This will give you more time in your treatment session.
  • Back to top

    • How will I feel after acupuncture?

  • You may feel rather relaxed and calm. If the treatment has been particularly strong you could feel quite tired or drowsy for a few hours, and you should take this into account if you are planning to drive or use machinery. Occasionally there may be a short-term flare-up of your symptoms as your qi clears and resettles itself, and this is usually followed by a marked improvement.
  • Back to top

    • Should I tell my doctor?

  • If you are receiving treatment from your doctor then it is sensible to mention that you plan to have acupuncture. The acupuncture treatment may enable you to reduce or even stop taking some forms of medication, but you should always consult your doctor regarding any change of prescription.

    I will need to know about any medication you are taking as this may affect your response to the acupuncture treatment.
  • Back to top

    • Should I continue with my prescribed medication during acupuncture treatment?

  • Yes, at least until you have discussed this with your doctor. DO NOT stop taking any medication without professional guidance.
  • Back to top

    • Is acupuncture available on the NHS?

  • Some primary care trusts (PCT) and GP practices offer acupuncture treatment, but it is not yet commonplace. You should always enquire about any acupuncture treatment on offer to ensure that the practitioner is safe, properly trained, competent and fully insured. It is particularly important to ask how many hours of practical tuition were involved. Many Dry Needling courses are taught in a single day, and this obviously influences the scope of treatment possible.
  • Back to top

    • Why should I go to a BAcC member?

  • BAcC members have an extensive training in acupuncture (to undergraduate degree level) and in biomedical sciences appropriate to the practice of acupuncture in the UK. As well as being covered by full Medical Malpractice and Public/ Products Liability Insurance, BAcC members are bound by codes of professional conduct and safe practice.
  • Back to top

    • What will it cost?

  • At the Tunbridge Wells clinic the usual fee for a first (one hour) consultation and treatment is £50. Follow-ups are £45 and last around 40 minutes.

    The Headcorn clinic fees are £45 for the initial visit and £40 for follow-ups.
  • Back to top

    • Do you accept card payments?

  • Not currently. Call me old-fashioned...
  • Many of my patients pay via BACS transfer from their internet banking, though.
  • Back to top

    • Do you offer concessionary rates?

  • I do give concessions for treatments, and I have to balance this with feeding the family. My solution is to have a quota of patients receiving concessions. It tends to be full in the current economic climate, but please ask.
  • Back to top

    • How many treatments will I need?

  • This varies between patients. Most people have a course of treatment and I usually expect obvious improvement after three to four sessions, or slightly more for very long-standing problems.
  • Back to top

    • What diseases can acupuncture treat?

  • An enormous range of conditions have been helped by acupuncture (see News). Please bear in mind, though, that we treat the person rather than the disease, and conventional studies rarely take this into account.

    Some of my patients have multiple symptoms with no clear western diagnosis. Acupuncture is not a miracle cure, but if the symptoms make a sensible pattern in acupuncture terms they will often respond well.
  • Back to top

    • Would you recommend acupuncture to assist IVF?

  • My own feeling is that although IVF techniques have improved over the years, it is still a very stressful procedure. It puts great demands on the body and should not be taken lightly. Many factors are involved in conception, and a surprising number of patients have conceived naturally after a course of acupuncture treatment. If age is not an issue I would certainly encourage this route first of all unless medical tests have shown it is impossible to conceive normally. Also, a borderline normal sperm count is not good enough in terms of Chinese Medicine, and acupuncture can usually help here.
  • Back to top

    • Can I buy an acupuncture machine for self-treatment?

  • I do not recommend self-treatment acupuncture devices.
    'Specific points for specific symptoms' techniques are usually not based on traditional acupuncture theory and may allow you to suppress or overlook important symptoms.
  • Back to top

    • What can I do to help with the treatment?

  • A lot! Take a look at helping yourself section for suggestions
  • Back to top

© Gordon Peck

Site by Yoyo Design