Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a holistic treatment that brings a person’s energies back into balance. Typically this involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body, scalp and ear. These points can also be stimulated with other methods such as acupressure massage, moxibustion, cupping, gua sha, and medical qigong. Acupuncture allows the person’s energy — called Qi (pronounced Chee) — to flow at an optimum level around the body in energy pathways called channels. There are over 360 acu-points on the body, though only around 150 are used frequently. Needles are commonly placed in a different area from the complaint — for headaches and migraines, for example, needles may go in the hands and feet.

Records confirm acupuncture has been practised in China since at least 200BC. The more recent system of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was developed in the 1950s to incorporate these ancient teachings. Acupuncture was popularised in the West in the early 1970s following President Nixon’s visit to China.

Qi is the life-force energy which flows through channels in the body, keeping us healthy when it flows freely and strongly. When Qi flow is disrupted — as a result of physical trauma, emotional upset, poor diet, weather conditions, or other factors — illness results. Stimulating specific points on the body unblocks Qi and allows the body to return to a balanced state.

Acupuncture is a very safe treatment. The needles used are sterile, single-use, and disposable. I am fully qualified and spent years learning where it is safe to needle and where it must be avoided. I continue to train to keep my skills current. My qualifications, licence, and insurance are all displayed in my clinic. It is important to tell me about any health conditions, other treatments, or medications you are taking to ensure there are no contra-indications.

Where possible, wear loose, comfortable clothing. This allows access to acupuncture points without removing clothes. Some people bring shorts to change into. I advise against tights. When access to particular acu-points is necessary, some items of clothing may need to be removed. Towels are always provided to prevent exposure and preserve modesty.

Of course. If you would like someone with you during the consultation or treatment, they are welcome. If you are under 18, it is a licensing requirement of Highland Council that a parent or legal guardian is present throughout the session.

Yes. Acupuncture is particularly useful to support pregnancy as it does not involve medication. It can help treat common pregnancy ailments such as morning sickness, nausea, and physical aches and pains such as sciatica. It is important that you tell me if you are trying to conceive or are pregnant — I am trained to know which acupuncture points to avoid during pregnancy.

If you want to reduce or stop your medication, this needs to be discussed with your GP. I also advise patients to inform their doctor that they are receiving acupuncture treatment.

During a treatment, you will be asked about your health. Everything you say is confidential. You will also be asked to show your tongue, and I will feel your pulse on both wrists. The information gathered helps me understand the disharmonies in your body, and the findings indicate the best places to insert needles or whether to apply heat to particular areas. It is also quite normal for me to palpate or examine a specific area of the body depending on your presenting condition.

It is recommended to have something to eat about an hour before treatment, as some people may feel light-headed during or after acupuncture. You will be given water and advised to drink a little more after treatment.

During each consultation I ask to see your tongue. I am looking at different aspects — colour, coat, shape, and features such as marks, dots, cracks, and moisture. Tongue diagnosis provides information about which Patterns of Disharmony are present and helps me determine the most effective way to treat you.

Every time I see you I will spend time feeling your pulse on each wrist. This provides information on Qi, Blood, and Internal Organ energy across three pulse positions at three pulse depths. Pulse diagnosis helps me understand which Patterns of Disharmony are present and informs your overall acupuncture diagnosis.

During the initial consultation, time is spent asking questions about your presenting condition and your general health. Some questions may appear unrelated to your condition, but all information is gathered together to form an acupuncture diagnosis called a Pattern of Disharmony — allowing me to better understand your condition and the best way to treat you. Acupuncture appointments are conducted in a quiet, professional city centre location. Your initial treatment lasts up to 1.5 hours and includes the first consultation. Follow-up appointments are approximately 45–60 minutes.

In acupuncture, various signs and symptoms are grouped together to form a Pattern of Disharmony. Tongue and pulse diagnosis help build a picture of the imbalances present. I understand your health through the 8 Principles (Yin/Yang, Hot/Cold, Full/Empty, Interior/Exterior) and the 5 Fundamental Substances (Qi, Shen, Jing, Blood, and Jin Ye). This allows me to provide individualised acupuncture treatment that brings your body back into balance.

I use a blended approach, integrating several acupuncture systems to best suit each individual. These include Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Five Element Acupuncture, Master Tung, Dr Tan’s Balance Method, and Western Medical Acupuncture. At the heart of my practice is the identification and treatment of patterns of disharmony — a core principle in Chinese medicine.

Master Tung Acupuncture is renowned for powerful distal point combinations and fast, effective results. Dr Tan’s Balance Method is ideal for balancing meridians, particularly effective in treating pain and complex cases. Western Medical Acupuncture is applied especially for musculoskeletal conditions, combining modern anatomical knowledge with traditional techniques. This modern-traditional fusion enables me to deliver acupuncture that is evidence-informed, energetically attuned, and always tailored to the individual.

I use ultra-fine needles — some as fine as a hair — which are nothing like needles used by doctors or dentists. A brief sting sensation may be followed by a dull ache or feelings of heaviness, but very often no pain is felt at all. Patients often describe the sensation as warm and tingling, or a rush of energy. Most people feel relaxed and some fall asleep during treatment. Needles are sometimes removed immediately, but are usually left in place for 20–30 minutes.

This depends on your presenting condition. Acu-points are located all over the body, and needles are often inserted in different areas from where you experience pain or discomfort. You do not scar from the needles; very occasionally a small bruise may appear, which disappears after a day or so. The majority of points used in clinic are Shu-points (found below the elbow and knee). I also frequently use points on the face, scalp, ears, and sometimes the thigh. Towels are always provided to preserve your modesty.

The number varies from treatment to treatment, based on the presenting condition, agreed treatment principles, and your current health. I always use the least number of needles to create the most positive change — for most treatments this is between 6 and 12 needles.

Yes. I principally use acupuncture needles to manipulate Qi, but I also incorporate moxibustion, acupressure, cupping, gua sha, infra-red heat lamp, medical qigong, and Chinese dietary advice. Many of these can be used as standalone treatments when working with needle-phobic patients and young children.

The majority of people feel relaxed and calm after treatment. Some report feeling slightly tired or drowsy and it is recommended to rest. Strenuous exercise, alcohol, and driving long distances should be avoided after treatment. Any slight bruising is short-lived.

Acupuncture is a natural health treatment that works to rebalance your body’s energy. This may take a number of sessions and depends on your current state of health and the condition being treated. People may feel positive effects immediately, or within a day or two after treatment — but this is very individual and depends on your presenting condition.

For the vast majority of people, acupuncture has a positive effect. Occasionally, with certain conditions, symptoms may initially appear more extreme or exaggerated. This is often a sign of energy moving in the body and is the beginning of a healing process. It passes, and most people report feeling better than before treatment.

Almost all other treatments are completely fine to have alongside acupuncture. I may recommend spacing out different treatments depending on an individual’s energy levels. Certain medications may mean that acupuncture is not suitable; this will be fully discussed with you during your appointment.

Your personal treatment plan is discussed during the initial consultation and throughout our contact. The number of sessions required varies depending on the condition, how long you have experienced it, and your overall state of health. Typically, for many conditions a course of 6 sessions is recommended — usually 2 sessions per week for 3 weeks, or 1 session per week for 6 weeks. For more straightforward or minor ailments, fewer sessions are required. Patients stop acupuncture when no more treatment is necessary, though many choose to have maintenance sessions. Lifestyle and dietary advice may also be given to support treatment and help consolidate lasting change.