Acupuncture is an ancient medical system which has been practised in China and other Eastern countries for thousands of years. It forms part of the traditional medicine of China (TCM) together with tui-na massage and herbal medicine. 

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine Qi (or vital energy) circulates through a series of invisible channels beneath the skin. Qi consists of equal and opposite qualities – Yin and Yang – and when these become unbalanced, the flow of Qi is disrupted and over time, ill health may occur. The flow of Qi can be disturbed by factors such as emotional states, poor nutrition, stimulants, weather conditions, hereditary factors, infections, toxins and trauma.

Acupuncture involves the gentle insertion of very fine needles in key areas along the channels (acupuncture points) to stimulate and balance Qi in order to restore health. Taking into account a wide range of signs and symptoms (including tongue and pulse diagnosis) the aim is  to  identify a pattern which points to an underlying imbalance that can be corrected by safe and effective treatment.

Today, acupuncture is used extensively in state hospitals in China alongside Western medicine and is now available on the NHS and in GP practices in the UK.

Often described as a means of pain relief, acupuncture is in fact used to treat people with a wide range of  disorders , including:-