Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is helpful but not essential. The areas I treat most often are the lower legs, feet and forearms, so these need to be uncovered.

 For example, you may want to wear a sweatshirt or jumper with a T-shirt underneath, and then take off the jumper for treatment. I always use blankets and/or towels to make sure you stay warm, covered and comfortable during your session.

As part of the session, I also use traditional diagnostic methods such as taking your pulse and examining your tongue – this helps me build up a much better picture of what’s going on inside your body.

From there, I’ll create a personalised treatment plan, including how many needles you’ll need for the issue being treated.

Next, it’s time for you to relax on the treatment couch while I place the needles at specific points on your body.

I’ll explain exactly where and why I’m inserting the needles, so you fully understand the treatment.

The needles I use are very fine – about the width of a human hair – and will stay in place for around 20 minutes.

During that time, I’ll continue to monitor your pulse and may also apply moxa , a warming Chinese herb, to your skin, depending on the condition.

Your first appointment is around 75-minutes to allow time for a full and comprehensive health assessment.

Follow-up sessions typically last between 45–60 minutes.

During these treatments, we’ll also discuss any progress or changes since your last visit.

This is a very common question! And the answer is no; you should feel relaxed throughout the treatment.

You may feel something when the needle is inserted – often described as a dull ache, tingling or a slight heaviness – but this is a normal and expected sensation.

Some areas with thinner skin, such as the hands and feet, can be more sensitive.

If you’re worried about discomfort, or have a fear of needles, I can adapt your treatment using even finer facial acupuncture needles. Or I can apply moxa directly to the acupuncture points instead.

After an acupuncture treatment, you might feel:

• deeply relaxed or sleepy

• refreshed and energised

• lighter and less tense

These are all normal responses, but not everyone will experience them so you may feel something different.

Some people notice a temporary worsening of symptoms before they improve. This is sometimes called a ‘healing response’ and can be a sign that your body is starting to rebalance itself.

Following an acupuncture treatment, take it easy to help support your body’s natural healing process.

Here are a few simple guidelines:

• rest and relax as much as possible

• drink plenty of water to stay hydrated

• avoid strenuous exercise or overly demanding activities for the rest of the day

This depends on your condition and how long you’ve had it, but we’ll discuss a clear treatment plan during your first visit. It can take a few sessions to see improvements. 

As a general guide, I recommend weekly treatments for 3 to 4 weeks. Then we’ll review your progress and adjust the treatment plan if needed. Chronic or long-term health issues often need more sessions than acute or recent problems.

Everybody is different, so we’ll work together to find the right approach to help your body heal.