Acupuncture needles are much thinner than those used for injections or blood tests, and most people find treatments very comfortable.

In general, on insertion, you may briefly feel some sensations such as tingling, pressure, or dull ache. This varies from person to person but after the needle is inserted these sensations settle very quickly.

If you feel nervous about your first session, please let me know — I’m always happy to talk things through and help you feel comfortable before your appointment.

The initial session begins with a thorough consultation, where I take time to understand your medical history, lifestyle, and current signs and symptoms. I will also examine your tongue and pulse, which are important diagnostic tools in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

After the consultation, we move on to the treatment. If acupuncture is appropriate, fine, gentle needles are then carefully inserted.

You do not need to bring anything. I would advise you to wear loose clothing so I can have access to the acupuncture points but if you happen to wear tight clothes do not worry I will ask you to remove the clothes which will be in a way of accessing the points and I will give you a large towel to provide coverage at all times.

Before acupuncture treatment, it is good to have a light meal. I would encourage all my patients to have at least some food before the treatment - please do not starve yourself before the treatment.

After acupuncture ideally, you would allow yourself plenty of rest, and good sleep, you should also drink enough liquids, eat well & stay warm! It is also possible to be more sensitive so it would be great if you could take notes about your emotional state for the next session.

TRY TO RELAX :)

Before your appointment, it is helpful to:

• Avoid coffee or caffeine if possible

• Not eat foods or drink anything that may stain your tongue, as tongue diagnosis is part of the consultation

• Avoid scraping your tongue on the day of treatment

These small steps help ensure the most accurate Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis.

After treatment, your body begins to adjust and integrate the effects, so it is best to take things gently.

I usually recommend:

• Avoiding coffee and alcohol for the rest of the day

• Avoiding very intense exercise or physically demanding activities

• Avoiding saunas or other strong heat therapies on the same day

• Avoiding ice packs for pain relief immediately after treatment, unless advised otherwise

If possible, try to keep your day as calm as you can.

Response to treatment varies from person to person. As a general guide, the longer a condition has been present, the more time the body may need to respond.

Acute issues may improve within a few treatments, while chronic conditions (present for three months or more) usually require a longer course of regular sessions.

Many people start to notice changes after 3–4 weekly treatments. For longer-standing or chronic concerns, a course of around 6–12 weekly sessions is often recommended to support more sustained change.

People usually feel changes after 3-4 weekly treatments but for chronic conditions, it is advised to have about 6-12 weekly treatments over 1-2 months.

In traditional Chinese medicine, practitioners were historically focused on helping people maintain health and balance, rather than only treating illness.

Today, acupuncture is widely used as a way to support overall wellbeing. Many people also find treatments deeply relaxing and choose regular sessions as part of their self-care, especially to help manage the effects of everyday stress.