Good health is not merely the abscence of disease....
Acupuncture is widely considered to be beneficial for a range of illnesses and symptoms, from clearly defined complaints such as back and dental pain, headaches, vomiting and neck ache to more general symptoms such as nausea or low energy.
Increasingly women are choosing acupuncture to support them through their fertility journey, pregnancy, labour and after giving birth.
Some 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. Because traditional acupuncture aims to treat the whole person rather than specific symptoms in isolation, it can be effective for a range of conditions.
Remember that acupuncturists treat the person, not just the condition 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.
In 2009 the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommended that acupuncture should be made available on the NHS, as a cost-effective short-term treatment for the management of early, persistent non-specific lower back pain.
You can get more information on current scientific research into the effectiveness of acupuncture by visiting www.acupuncture.org.uk or by speaking to Annie, a BAcC registered acupuncturist.
'In 2013, I had been suffering with severe IBS for six years. Six years of constant acute stomach pain, chronic diarrhoea, irregular periods and general exhaustion and misery. After seeing various doctors all medical research had been had been fruitless, all medication unable to ease my symptoms. My consultant, there being nothing more he himself could do for me, suggested first a psychiatrist and then a hypnotherapist. Physically we had been unsuccessful so perhaps the mental approach would yield results. It didn’t. I was in despair, without any hope of improvement and my symptoms steadily worsened. However then my mother, a massage therapist, thought of taking the holistic approach to my illness and suggested acupuncture. She researched it and found a lady who would actually come to the house instead of me trying, and very often failing, to go to a hospital for appointments.
And so I met Annie for the first time.
I remember out first consultation well. When I related to Annie the nature of my illness, she required no further explanations but understood immediately. Her experience as a nurse as well as an acupuncturist had made her very familiar with my symptoms and she quickly grasped my condition and predicament. No hemming and hawing, no looking doubtful, no saying “You tell me the pain in your stomach is constant and severe. Can you please explain how frequently it comes and if it causes you some discomfort.” Instead Annie was cheerful, practical and with confidence she began our session. For the first time in years I felt a flicker of hope.
That was four years ago.
With consistent acupuncture every week my illness and my life have been transformed. I have gone from being housebound to employment. From the first small triumphs of being able to get out of the house a couple of times a week for an hour to take the dog for a walk or pop to the shops, to now spend almost every day out and about. Able to work, drive, exercise and live on my own. My stomach pain has been halved in its intensity and continues to slowly decrease. The hours spent in the bathroom is a quarter of what it used to be during the day, and my nights are now barely interrupted. My periods are regular, much lighter, with very little pain and can occur independent of my IBS; without triggering my symptoms to rise dramatically, and my IBS can in fact continue to improve even while undergoing the trickiest week in the month.
I am delighted to put my story down on paper. Not only to tell the world what a miracle-worker Annie is, always helpful, warm, understanding and a true friend, but being a very quiet and bottled-up person, used to keep all my suffering to myself, this have given me the opportunity to try to communicate to her my inexpressible gratitude for everything she has done and is continuing to do for me. (2017)
'I came to Annie 3 months ago with very little knowledge of Acupuncture. All I knew is I was starting IVF treatment and I'd read it could help! After years of trying for a baby with no success I wanted to do everything I could to maximize my chances with IVF.... genuinely it was the best decision I've made!
Not only has Acupuncture been calming at one of the most stressful times of my life, Annie has simply been amazing. She's provided me with physical support giving my body what it's needed with her magic needles, and she's been lovely to chat to on a weekly basis giving me boosts of positivity!
As I said before, I knew nothing of acupuncture beforehand- I had all the normal fears... will it hurt? Is it a bit weird? etc... none of my fears were realised. The needles are so fine they don't hurt and honestly it's a really nice feeling. I've done some of my best positive thinking whilst covered in pins!
IVF does take its toll on the body. I unfortunately suffered with ovarian hyper stimulation and the only thing that eased my discomfort was acupuncture!
I'm pleased to say the IVF has worked on my first cycle and I also have 3 frozen Blastocysts- I'm told this is a really good result. Admittedly I've had a fab clinic, I changed my diet and visited a hypnotherapist too, however it's been the Acupuncture that's kept me sane and focused on my goal and I believe has made all the difference :-)
I wouldn't hesitate in recommending this treatment or Annie to anyone!
Huge, huge thanks!
S. P. August 2013
"At the beginning of 2014 I lost most of the use of my hands, and to a lesser extent my legs, and struggled with simple tasks such as holding a knife and fork, doing up buttons, even using a pen. For eight months a series of doctors was unable to find out was was wrong, despite all sorts of scans and tests, and the condition gradually worsened. Dark times indeed: I became a recluse because of my handicaps and the utter hopelessness I felt about the future, and eventually was no longer able to work. Finally, in despair and with no great expectation of success (I'd always been a sceptic), I decided to try acupuncture. From the moment I met Annie I felt a strong connection with and a deep trust in her, but I wasn't prepared for what happened next. Literally the next morning after my first acupuncture session I could use my hands again, and over the eight weeks since then I have regained 100% use of my right hand and 80-90% use of my - much worse affected - left. Annie has brought me out of a terrible darkness and back into the light: I feel she's given me back my future. I'm working again, socialising again, living again. I'll never forget what she's done for me as long as I live, and no words could possibly express my gratitude to her." (S. Manchester 2014)
"After having chronic pain for 18 months and taking medication constantly, my doctor advised me to try acupuncture. I had 12 sessions with Annie Walker and am now pain-free and on no medication. I would like to thank her for the kind and professional service and for giving me back my life.'' C.S. (Cheshire)
Patient Testimonial
"Wow! After my first treatment from Annie I felt so relaxed and had a fantastic deep sleep, it was heaven! The next day I felt so much calmer, now I feel more energetic and confident"
C.C. March 2010
