Does it hurt? Generally acupuncture needles do not hurt and patients find the whole experience quite relaxing. You may experience a slight tingling sensation or dull ache when the needles are inserted.

How many treatments will I need? The number of treatments required will depend on your individual condition. Most patients start by having weekly treatments for approximately 5 weeks and once their health has stabilised treatments are gradually spaced out so that they only require a top-up treatment every few weeks. However, for patients with chronic conditions frequent treatment may be required over a longer period of time.

What should I do before coming for treatment? Please avoid eating large meals and drinking alcohol or coffee before coming for treatment. If possible, wear loose fitting clothes that can be easily rolled up above your elbows and knees. This will make it easier for your practitioner to access the acupuncture points.

Is acupuncture treatment covered by health insurance? This will depend on your insurance company. You will need to contact them to find out whether your plan covers acupuncture. It is always good to check your individual policy details as the number of treatments covered will vary. Likewise, some policies only cover acupuncture if it is performed by a doctor.

Can acupuncture help me to lose weight or to stop smoking? Traditional acupuncture is aimed at improving your overall health. It does not just look at symptoms but treats the source of your problems. Therefore you would need to be committed to treating your overall health and treatment would be aimed at helping you feel better in yourself and more able to cope with stress so that you did not resort to food or cigarettes as a coping mechanism.

What conditions does acupuncture treat? To view a list of the conditions listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) for which acupuncture is considered effective please go to http://sustainablemedicine.org/who-acupuncture-research/.