Frequently Asked Questions About Acupuncture

What to Expect During Your First Acupuncture Session

Your initial consultation will last approximately 90 minutes allowing Kerry to take an in depth case history and includes a first treatment. A full understanding of a person’s general health and lifestyle is required for optimal treatment. Therefore in depth details of the main complaint will be taken and further questions will be asked about medical history and factors such as sleeping patterns, appetite, digestion and emotional wellbeing. Some questions may seem unrelated to the main complaint, however it builds a complete picture for an accurate diagnosis. A look at your tongue and feel of your pulses add to the diagnosis and, where necessary, a physical examination may be performed.

Following your initial consultation Kerry will decide which clinic settings will best serve your treatment;

as a 1:1 patient or within the multibed clinic.

This choice depends on several factors, including the complexity of your case, methods of treatment required and personal choice. Subsequent sessions generally last 45 minutes.

In a 1:1 setting you will be Kerry's sole focus for the 45 minute session. This allows time for treating more complex health issues and for variations in treatment modalities if required e.g. use of Electro acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, massage etc
In a multibed setting Kerry is able to treat a patient, leave them to relax and then go on to another patient. The aim of multibed or community acupuncture is to make treatment accessible and affordable to a wide range of people, by providing effective, low-cost treatments in a community setting. As more than one person is treated within an hour, the multi-bed setting enables the cost to be reduced.

Common Questions About Acupuncture Treatments

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions required largely depends on the severity of the problem, but Kerry would usually start by seeing you for 6 weekly sessions then stretches the frequency to fortnightly, monthly and so on as you improve. The effects are cumulative. You should have indications of a response within the first 6 treatments – for some that may be sufficient. For chronic conditions, more sessions may be required. Once your condition has improved you may be one of the many people who chooses to continue with acupuncture as a preventative health maintenance measure.

What should I wear?

Please wear loose clothing. You’ll need to remove shoes, socks, tight clothing and tights for the session. I will need to be able to access your lower legs and arms from the knee and elbow down. I will also need to access your back and belly. You won’t ever need to remove underwear.

Will it hurt?

No! The needles are fine – about the thickness of a human hair – and very few people ever feel them. Having trained in gentle needling, I make an effort to ensure the needling is entirely painless. You might feel a sensation after the needle is inserted, but this isn’t painful. People usually feel very calm and peaceful during the session. This feeling can last for a while after the session.

Is it safe?

Acupuncture needles are fine, single-use, pre-sterilised and disposable. Research shows that acupuncture is one of the safest treatments in the UK. There are seldom side effects, the most common being feeling tired after treatment. Very occasionally a tiny bruise might appear at an acupuncture point.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes. Some health insurance companies cover acupuncture. Treatments need to be paid for on the day, proof of appointment and payment can be provided for you to claim this back from your provider.

Are mobile phones allowed?

Mobile phones can be intrusive during treatment, especially in the Multibed setting so please make sure your phone is switched to either silent or is turned off.

Kerry Wratten Acupuncture