Acupuncture

Paul can now offer patients the added benefit of acupuncture as part of their osteopathic treatment.

Unlike traditional Chinese acupuncture, medical acupuncture uses our prevailing understanding of nerves and anatomy to interpret the effects of acupuncture. Western-trained doctors and other registered health professionals, such as Osteopaths, who have completed further qualifications, practice medical acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a system of healing by means of fine sterile needles placed in the skin at appropriate points along certain channels or meridians on the body. Paul will assess each patient's case, and treatment will be tailored to the individual. Quite often, several points have to be simultaneously needled to treat a condition and left in position briefly, sometimes with manual or electrical stimulation. To allow for different height and size of individual patients, the acupuncture points are determined with proportional distances form reference points such as the nose, shoulders, ankle etc.

Patients rarely find acupuncture treatment uncomfortable; usually the thought of the needle being quickly inserted is far worse that the actual event! Side effects are minimal. Post treatment some patients do report a sensation of bruising, although no apparent bruising is seen. If an adverse reaction does occur the needles will be removed and the patient afforded time to recover.

Paul is a member of the British Medical Acupuncture Society.

Visit the BMAS website