FAQ's

The short answer is no. Some patients may feel a mild pinch as the needle is inserted but acupuncture needles are hair thin and filiform. Filiform means they differ from venipuncture needles as they don't have a lumen (hole) down the centre, this allows them to push through the tissues rather than cut in way a venipuncture needle does. Once the needle is in you may feel a heavy, buzzy, throbbing sensation which are all normal sensations that acupuncturists call "de Qi", not everyone feels this sensation though.

All acupuncture needles are supplied in single-use, pre-sterilised packets and disposed of in a sharps container immediately after use.

This depends upon the condition you are asking your acupuncturist for help with. As a general rule the less time you have had a condition the fewer treatments you will need. However, your acupuncturist will go through this with you at your first consultation. All treatments are individual to you as a person which means no two people, even if they have the same condition, will necessarily receive the same treatment.

As a member of the British Acupuncture Council BAcC and Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM) you are required to have completed a minimum of 3yrs full time degree level education (acupuncture) or 2years degree level education (chinese herbal medicine). Each of these courses include time spent in a teaching clinic treating actual members of the public so you get an idea of how the theory relates to practice. However, acupuncture and herbal medicine are not regulated in the UK an there are short courses out there of 2 days, 2 weeks etc so it pays to check out your practitioners level of training. To find a properly trained professional you can go to www.acupuncture.org.uk OR www.rchm.org.uk

This was something I was concerned about when deciding to train as a Chinese herbalist. Do they allow the use of animal products in the UK. If the answer had been yes, then I would not have trained in Chinese herbs. Thankfully the law in the UK states that animal and mineral products are not, and have never been, considered as herbs under UK medicines law. As such the use of animal and mineral products is prohibited in the UK.

This is not a one size fits all answer as there are many variables that will be discussed at your initial consultation. If in doubt get in touch to discuss your specific circumstances. Ideally you should see your acupuncturist 3 - 6mths prior to starting IVF so they have time to address any imbalances within your system. Research shows that acupuncture increases blood flow to the uterus and ovaries thereby supporting a proper uterine lining and egg maturation. Another study showed acupuncture can improve the poor receptive state of the endometrium by promoting LIF and IL-12 secretions to improve blastocyst implantation.