Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the oldest continuously practised therapies in the world. Very fine needles are inserted at specific points on the body to regulate its functions, ease symptoms and support natural healing.

What happens in a session?

After your consultation, you lie comfortably while very fine, sterile, single-use needles are placed at points chosen for your condition — often on the arms, legs or abdomen. There may be a brief tingling or dull ache as a point activates, but acupuncture should not be painful; most patients describe sessions as calming, and many doze off. Needles typically stay in place for 20–30 minutes.

Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may also include moxibustion (warming points with the herb mugwort, used for example with breech presentation), cupping or electro-acupuncture.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on the condition and how long you have had it. Acute problems may respond within a few sessions; long-standing conditions, and fertility work in particular, are usually treated as a course over several weeks or months, often timed around your cycle. We review progress at every visit and will always be honest about what treatment can and cannot do for you.

Is acupuncture safe?

Acupuncture has an excellent safety record in trained hands. We use only sterile, single-use disposable needles. Side effects are uncommon and usually minor — occasionally slight bruising or brief light-headedness. Dr Zhang’s dual training in Western medicine and acupuncture means any medical concerns are recognised and taken seriously.

Watch: an introduction to acupuncture

Video courtesy of the Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture UK (ATCM), of which Dr Zhang is a member.