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The traditional approach

Because traditional acupuncture aims to treat the whole person rather than specific symptoms in isolation, it can be effective for a range of conditions.

Bamboo SkySome people turn to acupuncture for help with a specific symptom or condition. Others choose to have treatment to help maintain good health, as a preventive measure, or simply to improve their general sense of wellbeing.

Remember that acupuncturists treat the person, not just the condition which they have, so each patient's treatment plan will be different. However, you can always ask your practitioner about other patients' experiences, to give you an idea of what to expect. Many people return to acupuncture again and again because they find it so beneficial and relaxing. Traditional Acupuncture methods include a variety of methods, and not all involve needles. Acupuncture is a western word meaning needle piercing the principal method of treatment, while the Chinese term is Chen Chiu which means 'needle moxa'.

Moxa is a dried herb, often mugwort, and is burned to generate a gentle heat on or near the point. It may be applied in a small cone directly on the skin, on the end of a needle or as a smouldering roll of moxa and moved over and above the skin warming the acupuncture point. Rolls of moxa are traditionally known as 'Magic Sticks of Thunder and Fire'.

Cupping is another traditional treatment using glass or bamboo cups. A lighted taper is briefly placed into the cup, the taper is removed and the cup is placed on the acupuncture point for two to ten minutes providing suction and stimulation to the point.

Electro-Acupuncture is a modern development where a point is gently stimulated by a low frequency electric current applied through the needle giving a pleasant sensation of tingling or buzzing.

Auricular Therapy or Ear Acupuncture can be used in its own right or in conjunction with body acupuncture. Tiny seeds may replace the use of needles and are taped in position over the acupuncture point and allow frequent stimulation between treatments.

Acupuncture South Devon Contact Details

    List of private health insurers who support acupuncture treatment
    Fiona Matthews´ British Acupuncture Council Entry
    Information for NHS patients - What is Acupuncture?
    NICE recommends that acupuncture should be made available on the NHS
    Independent, Respected, International Review of Acupuncture - The Cochrane Collaboration
    Evaluation of a CAM Pilot Project in Northern Ireland (2008) - Dpt of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
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