FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. WHAT FORM OF TREATMENT DO I NEED?
2. HOW WILL I FEEL DURING AN ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT?
3. IS IT SAFE FOR ME TO TAKE HERBS?
4. WHAT REACTION SHOULD I EXPECT?
5. CAN I TAKE THE SAME HERBS FOR A LONG PERIOD
6. SHOULD I CONTINUE TO TAKE THE MEDICATION PRESCRIBED BY MY GP WITH THE CHINESE MEDICINE?
7. IS TREATMENT SAFE DURING PREGNANCY?
8. HOW OFTEN AND FOR HOW LONG SHOULD I COME FOR TREATMENT?
9. IS THERE ANY ADVICE FOR MY DIET?
10. ARE THERE ANY HERBS OR TONICS THAT WOULD MAKE ME STRONGER?
1. WHAT FORM OF TREATMENT DO I NEED?
There are several kinds of treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The
practitioner will suggest a form of treatment according to your particular
condition, acupuncture for example, may be recommended for the patient with
sciatica; whilst herbs or herbal preparations are often applied for young
children, or those who suffer from eczema or other skin disorders.
If your illness is complex or persistent, a combination
of treatments may be used.
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2. HOW WILL I FEEL DURING AN ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT?
This varies with each individual. You may expect to feel a momentary prick,
then tingling, numbness and heaviness around the point. These are positive
signs that the treatment is being effective.
Whilst the needles are in place patients normally experience a feeling of great
peace, tranquillity and relaxation.
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3. IS IT SAFE FOR ME TO TAKE HERBS?
Traditional Chinese herbs are generally very safe.
They originate from plants, minerals and other
natural substances. Each herb has a different nature and function and is
usually used in combination to promote a therapeutic effect.
The herbs are available in different preparations:
Decoctions: Here the herbs are boiled in water for a specified period of time,
the liquid is then drunk. The effects of this preparation are strong and
immediately perceived by the patient.
Pills: These are made of finely ground ingredients which are absorbed slowly by
the body over a long period of time.
Granules: This is a modern formulation which is based upon
the decoction and syrup. Granules are absorbed by the body
more quickly than pills, and are consequently a stronger acting
preparation.
Extracts: These are made by extracting the active ingredients of herbs which
are then either made into tablets, pills or capsules. This is considered to be
an effective and convenient way to dispense Chinese herbal medicine.
Cream: Important for skin disorders, the creams are made of powdered
ingredients and applied externally.
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4. WHAT REACTION SHOULD I EXPECT?
As we are all very different in our mental and physical
make up and vary in our reaction to an illness, it is
reasonable to expect that each person will also respond
to a treatment in an individual way. For most people an
improvement or relief of symptoms is noticed after just
a few times of treatment.
Very occasionally after taking herbal or acupuncture treatment your symptoms
may become slightly worse. This effect will be brief and is probably a good
sign that the body's natural defensive energies have started to counteract the
illness.
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5. CAN I TAKE THE SAME HERBS FOR A LONG PERIOD
With the exception of a few tonics you should not take
the same herbs over a long period of time. When you
are consulted by a TCM practitioner, a prescription is made
especially for you at that moment in time. However, as
our body condition is in a constant state of flux, the
prescription should be modified from time to time to
accommodate progress of your illness and granule
condition.
Taking the same herbs for too long may bring about
some unwanted side effects, it is therefore important to
regularly consult your TCM practitioner.
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6. SHOULD I CONTINUE TO TAKE THE MEDICATION PRESCRIBED BY MY GP WITH THE CHINESE MEDICINE?
There is generally no conflict between conventional
medicine and TCM, and in most cases they can be used
in combination.
For some patients it may not be necessary to continue
using medicines prescribed by their GP. However, for
more serious illnesses such as cardiac disorders, severe
hypertension and epilepsy, patients are not advised to
abandon their orthodox treatment as this could disturb
the balance of the body.
It is essential at all times to be guided by your practitioner.
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7. IS TREATMENT SAFE DURING PREGNANCY?
Yes. Care is taken to avoid contraindicated acupuncture points in the abdomen
and lumbar sacral region; and only the most gentle and safe herbs are
prescribed.
In fact acupuncture is extremely effective for the most
commonly seen symptoms of pregnancy morning
sickness, nausea and vomiting. Whilst herbs may be used to prevent or
treat miscarriage.
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8. HOW OFTEN AND FOR HOW LONG SHOULD I COME FOR TREATMENT?
This depends. TCM practitioners direct their attention towards the
physiological and
psychological wellbeing of the individual. They treat the root cause of disease
(not just symptoms) and aim to restore the body's natural balance.
New, acute illnesses e.g. lumber sprain or neck stiffness need only a few times
of treatment to be cured. For more persistent or chronic illness, at least one
'course' constituting 10-15 treatments is required, for which patients will
need to visit the clinic up to twice a week.
You must be prepared to give the treatment enough time to run its course.
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9. IS THERE ANY ADVICE FOR MY DIET?
Yes. For the average individual a regular and varied
diet is encouraged, as over indulgence in any particular
food may cause various forms of malnutrition or other
diseases. However for some patients specific dietary
adjustments are required, these may be to assist in the
treatment of skin disorders, peptic ulcers, cystitis,
prostatitis, or simply to assist the therapeutic effects of
the herbs.
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10. ARE THERE ANY HERBS OR TONICS THAT WOULD MAKE ME STRONGER?
Yes, we have some herbs that can strengthen the body's defences against disease
or supplement an area/process of the body that is insufficient or weakened,
e.g.. Radix Ginseng (Ren Shen). This herb strongly tonifies the basal Ql
(energy), strengthens the functions of the internal organs, generates fluids
and calms the spirit.
You will need to consult a TCM practitioner to ensure that the herbal tonic is
chosen
to suit your individual needs.
Please note: we always use sterile disposable needles which are thrown away
immediately after your treatment.
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