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What is Acupuncture?

‍Acupuncture therapy that involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body to alleviate pain, treat various medical conditions, and promote overall health and wellness. 

How Can Acupuncture Help?

‍Some of the benefits of acupuncture include:

• Pain relief: Acupuncture is effective in reducing chronic pain, such as lower back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis.
• Stress reduction: Acupuncture can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression by promoting relaxation and balancing the body's energy.
• Improved sleep: Acupuncture can help improve the quality of sleep and alleviate insomnia.
• Boosted immunity: Acupuncture can help boost the immune system and prevent illnesses.
• Improved digestion: Acupuncture can help alleviate digestive issues, such as constipation, bloating, and acid reflux.
• Fertility support: Acupuncture can help increase fertility and support conception for both men and women.

These are some of the benefits of acupuncture, but it's important to note that results may vary from person to person and that it should be used in conjunction with other treatments.

How Does Acupuncture Work? 

The action of using acupuncture needles stimulates or regulates the life energy known as ‘Chi’ or ‘Qi’, which flows along channels, called Meridians, beneath the surface of the skin.

Computer imaging during acupuncture shows increased activity in various regions and structures within the brain[1].  Research shows that stimulating an acupuncture point causes increased production of endorphins (the body’s natural painkillers) and balances the immune and endocrine systems[2]. With data received for a total of 20,827 patients from 39 trials, evidence of Acupuncture for treating non-specific musculoskeletal pain, osteoarthritis, chronic headache, or shoulder pain was found[3].

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published support for the use of both traditional Chinese and Western acupuncture for chronic pain.

Patients often report a general feeling of calmness following acupuncture.

References:

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1193550/

[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15135942/

[3]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5927830/

What is Chinese Herbal Medicine?

‍Chinese herbal medicine uses natural dried herbs to improve health.  

The biggest distinction between Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, is the latter focuses more on the entire human body, rather than the individual symptom or disease. 

There are over 400 Chinese ‘herbs’ used in TCM.  Dr Liu only uses TCM herbs that originate from plants and other natural substances, no animal products are used. We offer two types of herbal therapy in the clinic:

1. Traditional Herbal Tea formula
2. Herbal Granule
   

How can Chinese Herbal Medicine help? 

Each herb is used for a defined purpose and function and is combined with other TCM herbs to form personalised prescriptions. These characteristics of herbs are used by practitioners to activate the body’s natural ability to heal itself and restore balance.

How does Chinese Herbal Medicine work? 

Each prescription is unique, and two patients with identical symptoms do not necessarily receive the same prescription.  

This is because TCM considers each patient to be psychologically and physiologically different, and every complaint is the result of an imbalance in either one or both of these areas.

Each TCM herb has several factors that are balanced for the individual, for example:

•  a specific taste: sweet, spicy, bitter, sour, salty;
•  a specific energy: cold, hot, warm, cool;
•  ascending, descending, floating, and sinking properties,
•  and their corresponding targeted meridians.

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What is FSN? 

Fu's Subcutaneous Needling (FSN), also known as Fu's Needle Technique or Fu's Acupuncture, is a specialized form of acupuncture that uses very fine needles inserted just under the skin to stimulate the body's natural healing process. 

This technique was developed by Dr Zhonghua Fu, a renowned Chinese physician, and it is widely used in China & Europe.

How can FSH help? 

 FSN can treat most pain concerns and conditions with excellent results. Benefits of FSN include reduction of pain, alleviation of muscle spasm and tension, chronic pain, digestive issues, respiratory problems, and skin condition. It facilitates the healing process, and overall health & wellness. .

How does FSN work?

FSN uses a sterilized disposable needle with a built-in cannula.  FSN is very safe for the simple reason that it only works at the subcutaneous layer. 

FSN is different from traditional acupuncture in that the needles are inserted at a shallower depth, just under the skin, and are left in place for a longer period of time - for some conditions, the cannula will be left in for a few hours. 

This allows for a longer period of stimulation of the body's natural healing processes and can result in more effective treatment of chronic conditions and pain.

The FSN needle is applied within the subcutaneous layer of the skin around the afflicted spot.

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What is Cupping?

‍Cupping therapy is an ancient practice that involves the use of suction cups to create negative pressure on the skin, to promote healing and relieve pain.

Cupping therapy can be performed on various areas of the body, including the back, neck, shoulders, and limbs. The duration and number of cups used during a cupping session will vary depending on the condition being treated and the practitioner's assessment of the individual's needs.

How can Cupping help? ‍

It is believed to improve circulation, relieve pain, and promote healing. Some of the benefits of cupping include:

• Pain relief: Cupping can help relieve chronic pain, such as back pain, neck pain, and headaches, by increasing blood flow to the affected area.
• Muscle tension relief: Cupping can help relax tight muscles and ease stiffness, especially in the back, neck, and shoulders.
• Improved circulation: Cupping can improve blood flow and reduce inflammation, which can help promote healing.
• Respiratory relief: Cupping can help relieve respiratory issues, such as asthma and bronchitis, by clearing the lungs and improving breathing.
• Stress reduction: Cupping can help reduce stress and promote relaxation by calming the nervous system.
• Improved skin health: Cupping can help improve the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks by increasing blood flow and lymphatic drainage.

How does Cupping work?

During a cupping session, small glass, plastic, or silicone cups are placed on the skin and heated to create suction. The suction generated by the cups causes the skin and underlying tissues to rise into the cups, promoting blood flow to the area and reducing inflammation

The increased blood flow and reduced inflammation can help relieve pain, reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and promote healing.

 The suction created by the cups can also help to loosen and release fascia, the connective tissue that covers the muscles and bones, which can help alleviate muscle stiffness and improve mobility

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What is Plum Blossom Needling?

Plum-blossom needling is a method of shallow insertion with multiple needles. It is made of five or seven stainless steel needles arranged in a pattern like the shape of plum blossom, thus named as 'plum-blossom needle'.

How can  Plum Blossom Needling help?

Bloodletting could be helpful for conditions of headache, tinnitus, sleep problems, mental disorders, certain painful conditions etc.

How doesPlum Blossom Needling work? 

Promotes blood circulation: Plum blossom needling can help enhance local blood flow by stimulating the skin.

Nervous system regulation: Plum blossom needling can be beneficial for neurological conditions like headaches,  numbness, dizziness by targeting certain pressure points associated with nerve function