What happens at a Consultation

Acupuncture

At your first appointment for acupuncture I will ask you lots of questions. I will need to know all about your current health concerns as well as other information such as what your diet is like and how much stress you have to cope with, as appropriate. As I am trained in Traditional Chinese Acupuncture the questions will often reflect this style and are designed so that I can gain a holistic perspective. I will need to have a look at your tongue and take your pulse. Please bring with you any medications you are currently taking. The first appointment may take up to 90 mins. All consultations are private and strictly confidential.

From the information I gather during the consultation I will choose a number of acupuncture points.

You will be either sitting or laying on the treatment couch as appropriate for the points being treated. If loose comfortable clothing is worn it may not be necessary to remove any clothes depending on the points used. Blankets or sheets are available to make you comfortable.

Once the needles are inserted you will be encouraged to relax while the needles take their effect. Many people fall asleep during the treatment. Needles are left in usually for 40 minutes depending on the treatment.

Further appointments may be necessary depending on the condition and circumstances. In which case regular treatments produce faster results. Acupuncture once or twice a week is often recommended.

The length of the treatment will depend on the nature and duration of your condition. Generally the longer someone has been unwell the longer it takes to improve their health. I can give an indication of the expected timescale for treatment after the first consultation.

Herbal medicine

Herbalists do not treat symptoms, we treat people. So, during a consultation a herbalist has a holistic approach.

When you come to see me for a first appointment I will need to know all about your current health concerns, your past medical history from birth to the present day and your family medical history, such as conditions that run in your family. I will need to know about any prescribed or over-the-counter medications or supplements you might be taking. I will ask whether you have any allergies, what your energy and stress levels are like, what you like to eat and about your lifestyle. Then to get an overall picture of your current health I will ask a range of general health questions covering every body system. I always take pulse and blood pressure readings at a first consultation. As appropriate I may suggest other examinations such as listening to your chest, or testing a sample of urine.

All consultations are private and strictly confidential. The first consultation will last about an hour and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions. I will write a prescription for your personal blend of herbal medicines, and an individual management plan of proposed treatment will be discussed. The herbal prescription will be prepared in the attached dispensary for you to take away with you, and I will explain how the medicine should be taken. The herbal prescription will be chosen to work with any medications you are currently taking.

The herbal medicine is usually a mixture of about four or five herbal tinctures (herbal extracts in a water-alcohol base), but you may also be given herbal tea, capsules, powders or tablets. Sometimes I prescribe a topical treatment such as cream, gel, lotion, oil or ointment. For people who would rather not take herbs in alcohol I can provide glycerites or herbal aromatic waters if these are appropriate. The herbal medicines I provide are of the best quality and organic whenever possible.

A follow -up visit is usually arranged for between two and four weeks after the initial consultation, to assess progress and if necessary make any changes to the medicine or management plan. The follow-up appointments usually take about 30 minutes and any subsequent appointments are arranged as necessary to suit your individual circumstances. Repeat prescriptions can be posted if an appointment is not required. Longer term treatments will require periodic follow-ups to monitor progress, and the herbal prescription may be re-evaluated and changed accordingly so that it remains appropriate.