Blog – Acupuncture That Works

What is Chi?

November 2, 2018November 2, 2018 ATWAcupunctureTagged Acupuncture, chiLeave a Comment

You have probably heard the word Chi before—the word is firmly, albeit vaguely embedded in popular culture, but what does it actually mean?

With its roots in traditional Chinese culture, Chi (also spelled qi) refers to the vital life force or energy that runs through all living beings. It is the essence of existence that flows through each of us, uniting the body, mind and spirit. It is what makes us alive.

This concept of an essential life force is not unique to Chinese culture. In fact, most of the world’s ancient cultures have an equivalent word to describe the intangible vital energy. In India, it’s referred to as Prana, in Japan as Ki. Native Americans refer to the life force as the Great Spirit. In each of these cultures as in Chinese culture, healing and traditional medicine is firmly rooted in bringing the balance and flow of this energy into alignment.

Naturally, the presence or absence of this essential life force can have profound impacts on both physical and emotional well-being. A strong and balanced life force culminates in vitality, increased productivity and creativity. Conversely, blocked, unbalanced or weakened Chi can lead to sluggishness, pain and emotional distress.

The primary goal of traditional Chinese medicine is to optimise health and well-being by cultivating a smooth, powerful and balanced flow of chi throughout the entire body. Suffering (teng) caused by a blockage in Chi (bu tong), can be alleviated through acupuncture, tai chi, or qigong to facilitate proper circulation of Chi (tong) thus achieving teng jr bu tong, which means, a state of freedom from pain and disease. If you want to know more about Chi, then we have an entire page dedicated to it! Take a look.

Are you interested in how improving the flow of Chi in your body might benefit your overall health and well-being?

You can get in touch today by completing our contact form or by giving us a call on 0800 051 76 88.

Fertility with acupuncture and reflexology

September 27, 2018September 27, 2018 ATWAcupuncture, ReflexologyTagged Acupuncture, Fertility, hormones, reflexology, TCMLeave a Comment

For any woman that has had to experience fertility issues it can be a time of confusion, upset and loss. As a result, many women choose to seek out alternative fertility treatments such as Acupuncture and Reflexology.

A woman’s fertility is dependent on her age and once a woman reaches the age of 35 her ovulation can halve. Infertility is defined as when for at least 12 months a couple have attempted to conceive with no success and it is at this stage intervention is recommended. But, statistically speaking, the longer a couple wait the less chance they have of success even with IVF with the UK national average success rate at just 22% with women under 38.

There are countless global studies carried out each year that show consistent results of alternative therapies such as Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Reflexology having positive effects in reversing infertility. These studies include individuals suffering from infertility who are using IVF, IUI and those with no assistance and in each case, there have been significant improvements in fertility and pregnancy rates.

How can Acupuncture help with Fertility?

Acupuncture aims to help rebalance the energy flow throughout your body and clear any blockages preventing a healthy flow of Xi (Chi). In doing so, your body is slowly primed to increase your fertility and boost your overall health.

There are four key areas that acupuncture focuses on to increase fertility, the first relating to hormones. Any hormonal imbalances you may be experiencing will drastically reduce your fertility and so acupuncture seeks to regulate all hormone functions. The second focus is to increase blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, in turn relaxing the muscles, once this has occurred the chance of an embryo implanting is greatly improved.

The third is to work on tackling common causes of infertility such as Polycystic ovary syndrome and aiming to subside anything inducing this. The final step is to help generally relive any feeling of stress and anxiety in your every day life. The more relaxed you feel, the more relaxed your body is which in turn will help with fertility.

If you think Acupuncture could benefit you or if you have an inquiry about Acupuncture That Works then call us on 0800 051 76 88 or fill in our contact form.

Could paediatric Acupuncture help your child?

September 4, 2018September 4, 2018 ATWFeatured posts on main pageTagged Acupuncture, benefit, children, health, latest, paediatricLeave a Comment

Examples of paediatric Acupuncture

The term ‘Acupuncture for children’ may raise eyebrows, but it is much safer than you might expect and can help your child overcome a wide range of undesirable conditions. In the clear majority of cases, your child will only need a couple of needles and may require no skin penetration at all. Many treatments are applied with the fingers rather than needles, which is where the term ‘acupressure’ comes from.

What happens during paediatric Acupuncture?

Acupressure can involve rubbing and gently pressing until the right outcome is achieved. Small round balls can also be taped to the body to stimulate the acupuncture point. Sessions normally last

no longer than five to ten minutes and we can apply the points several times a week until the child is healthy, happy and has overcome the illness. Prior to the treatment beginning, the practitioner will normally spend time talking to the parent about the condition and how things are progressing, which is why parents are recommended to bring toys or blankets with them to keep their children occupied.

What can paediatric Acupuncture treat?

Paediatric Acupuncture is used to treat a wide range of illnesses and problems.

It has been used for more than 2000 years to speed up the body’s natural healing process, has zero side effects and won’t deplete your child’s chi energy. The chi or energy levels of children are constantly in flux as they develop, but acupuncture techniques can boost chi circulation, help them relax and overcome illnesses and other conditions. Conditions paediatric Acupuncture is used for can include behavioural problems, asthma and allergies, coughs and colds, colic, bed wetting, ADHD, infections, stomach pains, fevers and eczema.

The history of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is rooted in ancient Chinese medicine and is used by the NHS as well as in private clinics. During Acupuncture treatments, sensory nerves under the skin and inside the muscles are stimulated so the body can produce natural substances, including endorphins for the relief of pain.

If you think Acupuncture could benefit you or if you have an inquiry about Acupuncture That Works then call us on 0800 051 76 88 or fill in our contact form.

Acupuncture That Works welcomes fertility expert Gaynor Almond to the team

August 30, 2018September 4, 2018 Emma GuyFeatured posts on main pageTagged Fertility, staff, teamLeave a Comment

Here at Acupuncture That Works we are delighted to welcome Gaynor Almond as a new member to our team.

Gaynor trained in Clinical Reflexology at what is now known as the Contemporary College of Reflexology, under the tutelage of Allison Walker.

Making a decision very early on in her career to specialise in fertility, Gaynor took further training to help couples wanting to conceive naturally, or undergoing conventional treatments such as Clomid, or fully medicated cycles of IUI, IVF, ICSI, as well as with donor eggs.

Gaynor is extremely passionate about helping couples with their fertility, and has been helping couples for the last 4 years across Cheshire and Greater Manchester.

Gaynor’s skillsets perfectly complement the services we offer at Acupuncture That Works, as we have had huge success with Acupuncture for fertility.

If you would like to book in with Gaynor, call us today on 0800 051 76 88.

Three new ways Acupuncture could help your body

August 6, 2018August 6, 2018 ATWAcupuncture, Featured posts on main page, Latest NewsTagged Acupuncture, benefit, head pain, health, Pregnancy

When people think of Acupuncture there is sometimes a misconception of large needles covering the body, but this could not be further from the truth. The stereotype is derived from TV and film, where artistic licence often exaggerates aspects of treatment for dramatic effect.

Acupuncture is a gentle and arguably safer treatment than most modern methods and is becoming more widely recognised within western medicine. Acupuncture treatments are now available on the NHS and due to the promising and consistent results, it is more regularly recommended by GPS.

Not only is it a treatment that can be used on a variety of ailments, it can also work in conjunction with prescribed medication, helping to reduce unpleasant and unnecessary side effects.

There are many benefits to receiving acupuncture treatments that most people aren’t aware of and so here we have listed a few that have had overwhelmingly positive results.

Cancer Help

One of the biggest uses of acupuncture in recent years has been in cancer patients, either those in remission or those currently receiving chemotherapy.

There have been many studies carried out exploring the effect of acupuncture in this field which have shown many successful outcomes. Patients have found that with acupuncture, they are able to recover much quicker and their immune system feels boosted following treatments.

Studies have also found that patients quality of life is much better with less nausea, insomnia, and fatigue when receiving acupuncture treatments.

At Acupuncture That Works we pioneered a treatment protocol for patients suffering from hot flushes and the results of that study and details of ‘The Guy Protocol‘ can be found here.

Pregnancy

Another key area that many doctors in the UK are recommending acupuncture for is pregnancy and post-partum care.

With acupuncture treatments being so well documented as helping patients to relax, reduce stress and anxiety it is the perfect treatment for pregnant women.

Unlike other medication which can cause harmful side effects to both the mother and child, acupuncture is a completely safe treatment that seeks to reduce any unpleasant pregnancy symptoms. It not only helps to ease the physical pain and tension expectant mothers may be experiencing but also the mental and emotional strain.

It is however important to ensure that you are being treated by a trained acupuncturist as there are certain points that they are advised to avoid stimulating during pregnancy.

Head Pain

Head pain, whether it be a headache or migraine is one of the most common illnesses in the world as we spend more and more time staring at screens.

As a result of it being so common, people are often reluctant to regularly rely on pills to relieve pain and are now seeing acupuncture as a more long-term and safer solution. Various studies have shown that in terms of chronic tension-based headaches, acupuncture can be a valuable tool.

It successfully reduced pain in patients and allowed them to feel more relaxed and less anxious than they were pre-treatment.

Is Acupuncture Safe?

There are continuous studies into acupuncture, looking to provide evidence that it can be an effective and safe treatment for a long list of sicknesses and viruses.

If you feel that you could benefit from a more natural approach to medicine, then it is worth looking into acupuncture. Not only could acupuncture help to relieve mental or physical pain you may be experiencing, it may also help set you on healthier and happier lifestyle path.

If you think Acupuncture could benefit you or if you have an inquiry about Acupuncture That Works then call us on 0800 051 76 88 or fill in our contact form.

Acupuncture That Works welcomes Rosemary Heaton from Pure Mind Hypnotherapy

June 13, 2018November 8, 2018 ATWAcupuncture, Chester, Latest NewsTagged Acupuncture, awareness, health, hypnotherapy, latest, new, new member, pure, team, teamworkLeave a Comment

Here at Acupuncture That Works we are proud to welcome Rosemary Heaton as a brand new member of our clinic team.

Rosemary Heaton - Hypnotherapist - Pure Mind Hypnotherapy - Acupuncture That Works

Coming from a family with deaf parents and a deaf sister, Rosemary has long understood the need to overcome any and all disabilities or problems, and it has given her a strong intuition into the root of problems she helps her clients to face.

Rosemary has many qualifications including Master Practitioner Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy, Practical NLP Diploma, Life Coaching Certificate, Gastric Band Hypnotherapy Certificate, Stress Management & Hypnotherapy, Advanced Hypnotherapy Diploma, so you know you’re in great hands.

Using hypnotherapy, Rosemary offers to help you with issues surrounding an amazing technique called the Hypno-Gastric Band, weight loss, stopping smoking, confidence and self-esteem, stress and anxiety, and freedom from fears and phobias.

To book an appointment with Rosemary, ring in on 0800 051 76 88.

If you want to find out more about the rest of the team, come and see them here.

Can Acupuncture help migraine sufferers?

April 13, 2018September 4, 2018 ATWAcupuncture, Featured posts on main page, Latest NewsTagged Acupuncture, head pain, headaches, migraineLeave a Comment

Anyone that regularly suffers from migraines knows how debilitating it is and more importantly how you would do anything to subside the pain. Therefore, as a result of typical Western pain medication such as paracetamol and ibuprofen having little to no effect on severe migraines, many people have turned to Acupuncture.

As with any medical treatment, there are studies that oppose and support the effect of Acupuncture but over the past decade, there has been an increase in research evidencing the relief it has provided sufferers of chronic migraines.

This is also further substantiated by The World Health Organisation who have in fact endorsed acupuncture as a viable and promising treatment for pain relief since the late 1970’s.

So, how exactly does Acupuncture subside migraine pain?

Acupuncture theory is based on the idea that the body is comprised of energy or ‘Qi’ (pronounced ‘chi’) that is in a continuous flow. If there is a blockage in your body this flow of Qi is stopped causing pain or illness to the correspondent area of the body.

Acupuncture seeks to help restore this flow of energy by targeting and stimulating specific points on the body with hair-thin needles.

In terms of the pain relief aspect, because the Acu-points are usually located close to nerves, when stimulated they will release hormones such as endorphins into the body. In turn, this is what will help relieve any chronic migraine pain and promote relief and relaxation in the brain.

Are there any side effects?

Acupuncture comes with very little side effects when carried out by a licensed and trained practitioner.

With that in mind, it is extremely important to research your acupuncturist before booking your first appointment. One of the best ways to do this is to visit their website and look for customer testimonials, particularly for the reason you are seeking out the treatment. This should give you a clear and honest idea of how the acupuncturist works and how effective the treatment is.

When you do arrive at your appointment don’t be afraid to ask questions and watch to see the way in which the practitioner stores and uses the needles. One of the biggest health risks in any medical field is the use of equipment that is not sterile as it poses a serious health risk. At Acupuncture That Works all our needles are single use and are safely disposed of by a licensed Waste Contractor.

Whilst acupuncture is a safer alternative to traditional medication with little to no side effects, it ultimately cannot wholly take the place of being treated with medication.

Often Acupuncture works best when coupled with medication as it can help subdue any unpleasant side effects of the treatment.

Some headaches and migraines will require more immediate medical attention and it is important that you seek out this help instead of waiting to receive acupuncture.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as being light-headed, dizziness or nausea, it is important that you see a doctor as soon as possible as sometimes there can be more severe underlying issues such as allergic reactions, blood clots or blood pressure spikes.

If you would like to find out more about how acupuncture could help with your migraines please call us on 0800 051 76 88 or fill in our contact form.

How Acupuncture may help with Weight Loss

March 15, 2018September 4, 2018 ATWAcupuncture, Featured posts on main page, Latest NewsTagged Acupuncture, benefit, clinic, health, weight lossLeave a Comment

Weight loss is an issue that affects most people and with the average clothing size in the UK now being a 16, many people are eager to shed the pounds. However, losing weight can be extremely tough not only on your body physically but also mentally.

There are so many fad diets, exercise regimes and everything in between it can be hard to know what is best for you without harming yourself, but this is where acupuncture comes in.

Acupuncture works as a complementary therapy with your diet plan, helping to ensure you stay on track and stay healthy.

There have been many studies carried out which have produced results suggesting that combining acupuncture with a standard diet helps individuals to lose more weight overall. That being said, many people have misconceptions of what acupuncture is, based on dramatised Hollywood versions with large painful needles which look like a method of torture.

In reality, acupuncture is a very gentle process which involves inserting hair fine sterilised needles into specific acupressure points on your body. In doing so the needles will then stimulate a reaction in your body to release hormones such as endorphins.

It is hormones such as these which promote relaxation, reduce feelings of stress and generally bring about physical and mental calm. It is this calm that can help you on your weight loss journey instead of stress eating or turning to unnecessary medication.

This derives from Traditional Chinese Medicine and within this, there is the belief that weight gain, particularly large weight gains in a short period of time is caused by an imbalance in the body.

In all acupuncture theory, when something is wrong it is derivative of an imbalance but in terms of weight gain, it is thought to be a problem with the spleen, kidneys, and liver. To counteract this imbalance, acupuncturists will stimulate the point on the body which correlates to the affected area.

The kidneys, in particular, are in charge of the water in your body and therefore any water retention issues will lead back to this area. By addressing areas such as these you will begin to see a big difference in your physical appearance provided you are also sticking to a traditional diet.

Most people find that they only require acupuncture once a week or once every two weeks to maintain their diet and continue with a healthy lifestyle. Many patients also report that actively seeking out this support gives them the added motivation to keep going as each week they want to see results.

Despite the importance of the physical side of acupuncture, the individual’s mental state is equally as important as without a positive attitude and motivation you will quickly slip back into bad habits.

To continuously lose weight you must be in the correct mental state which is why acupuncture seeks to maintain healthy hormonal balance in the brain. By releasing endorphins, the brain begins to destress which puts you in a much better mindset to stay on track.

If you find keeping a balance in your life something of a struggle, why not try acupuncture and see what it could do for you? Call us today on 0800 051 76 88 and book an appointment at your nearest clinic.

Disclaimer

The ASA has upheld complaints about ads that refer to acupuncture but where it was not made clear that any relief achieved was temporary or “short-term” (Eileen Mannion Acupuncture, 18 October 2017). The ASA is likely to accept advertising claims about the sensory effects of acupuncture including claims about well-being or references to “feeling revitalised”, “more positive” or “relaxed”.

Acupuncture Awareness Week 2018 Is Here

March 12, 2018September 4, 2018 ATWAcupuncture, Featured posts on main pageTagged 2018, Acupuncture, Acupuncture awareness weekLeave a Comment

Beginning the 11^th of March, Acupuncture Awareness week aims to promote the practice of Acupuncture in the UK. The event is supported by the British Acupuncture Council.

Throughout the week, you will find members throughout the UK using this opportunity to speak to as many of you as possible about traditional acupuncture. With over 2.3 million treatments taking place every year acupuncture has quickly become one of the more popular complementary therapies available in the UK.

There will be a number of talks, open days and exhibitions going on throughout the country over the next week. Keep an eye out and get involved from the 11^th until the 16^th of March.

If you’re interested in trying acupuncture or want to find out more call Acupuncture That Works on 0800 051 76 88. We would love to help with a range of issues such as pain including headaches, dental issues and sports injuries as well as sickness and body revitalisation.

For more information visit http://www.acupuncture.org.uk

5 ways that acupuncture can help your health and well being in 2018

March 5, 2018September 4, 2018 ATWAcupuncture, Featured posts on main page, Latest NewsTagged 2018, health, well beingLeave a Comment

Every year we create resolutions to help us be fitter and healthier but physically and mentally but as January and February slip into March on we could all do with a boost to help us along the way.

One of the best and increasingly popular ways of achieving this is to receive regular acupuncture treatments.

Acupuncture can benefit your health and wellbeing in numerous ways whether it be for a specific ailment either physical or psychological or simply to improve your overall health.

Most people believe acupuncture is for relieving back and neck pain without realising how much it can offer which is why we have compiled a list of 5 ways in which acupuncture can help you.

Acupuncture for Anxiety

One of the biggest issues facing people today is anxiety, but for many, taking medication is a last resort. Because of the broad range of potential side effects associated with anxiety medications more and more people are turning to acupuncture.

Acupuncture can help calm you physically and mentally, relieving the stress caused by anxiety and allowing your body to return to a state of harmony.

Another issue associated with anxiety can be the inability to stay present and grounded in a world when there is so much going on around you, making your mind race.

Mindfulness and Acupuncture

Practising mindfulness is something that goes hand in hand with dealing with anxiety especially in an increasingly fast pace society.

With so much happening around the globe and in our personal lives it can be hard to stop and care for yourself. This is why acupuncture can be a healthy and relaxing solution to help you better understand how your body is feeling. Having the ability to understand when something is wrong with your body will help you to restore balance, keeping you mentally and physically healthy.

Acupuncture for Sleep issues

The most effective way to heal your body is through rest and if you’re not getting your 8 hours you can’t operate at 100%.

Acupuncture is one of the few natural methods of aiding you in getting a better night’s sleep whether it be getting to sleep, staying asleep or getting a more restorative rest. Unlike sleeping medication, acupuncture won’t cause any unpleasant side effects or dependencies; it simply works in unison with your body to promote internal harmony and relaxation.

Acupuncture for Digestion

Another common ailment most people tend to suffer from is poor digestion and consequently, poor bowel movements. This is often down to a number of life choices whether it be poor eating habits, dehydration or even stress.

Acupuncture can not only help you to regulate your digestive system, the process can also help you to better understand which lifestyle choice is causing this problem so that you can change this.

Acupuncture for Energy Levels

Finally, the biggest health complaint you will hear people speak about daily is how tired they are and how little energy they have. Whilst most people will turn to quick caffeine fixes such as coffee and energy drinks, these will only provide a temporary solution and cause you to crash soon after.

Acupuncture is a healthier way to combat fatigue and low energy as it will not cause any adverse effects in the way other stimulants can. By providing your adrenals with the boost they need, you will be able to give your body the energy it needs.

If you are struggling to achieve a balance in your life then why not call us today on 0800 051 76 88 and see if acupuncture can help?