Golden Health Therapy

"I am unsure of trying anything new"

TCM is not new - it is over 3000 years old!

Acupuncture needles are extremely fine, about the thickness of a human hair and they don’t really look like the needles we are more normally used to seeing in a doctors surgery. The doctor inserts them very carefully and if you feel anything at all it is like a tiny pinching sensation. The doctor is very experienced and is practised at putting people at their ease.

What does acupuncture feel like?

An acupuncture session is very relaxing and you leave with a feeling of well-being. Some patients report that the acupuncture points are joined up with a tingling feeling. Mostly you will feel very little.

I am taking prescribed medication. Can I still be treated?

Yes you can. Acupuncture, acupressure massage and moxibustion does not interfere with any pharmaceutical drugs. The doctor has extensive experience in western medicine and hospital practice and therefore will not prescribe any herbal preparations which are contraindicated in your particular case.

My GP/Consultant does not believe in Chinese Medicine. Is it safe for me to see a Chinese doctor too?

Yes it is perfectly safe. TCM will not detract from any treatment which you are already having, rather it enhances it. This is because TCM aims to balance the body, restore harmony and help the body to heal itself. Assisting your whole body systems to work at their optimum will enhance the efficacy of any treatment whether drug based, mental such as a talking therapy or physical eg exercise or physiotherapy. There are many doctors who do understand TCM and its place in treatment. More and more are using limited acupuncture for pain relief. In China, Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine are practised together in a holistic way and our Doctor has extensive experience of working in such hospitals. You can be confident that the treatment you receive at Golden Health will be complementary to any other treatment you are receiving.

Will I have to give a full medical history?

The doctor will need to discuss all aspects of your health, concentrating on your current symptoms. He will need to get an accurate picture of your health and the way your body systems are functioning in order to tailor your treatment and ensure it is absolutely perfect for you.

What does an examination consist of?

At a first appointment the doctor will go through your medical history and discuss your current health and the problem that you would like treated. He will take your pulse at several points and will examine your tongue and eyes. He will ask you about your body functions including your digestion and bowels, your diet, sleeping habits, alcohol and cigarette consumption. He will discuss the treatment that he proposes in order for you to agree the strategy before treatment commences.

What happens during a session?

The doctor will discuss how you have felt in the time since your last treatment or will discuss your health in more detail if it is your first appointment (for more, see “What does an examination consist of). He will then invite you to lie on the couch and expose the areas in which he needs to work. This is typically the arms and legs, sometimes the feet or the back for a back problem. You will not normally need to undress fully. After cleansing his hands the doctor will then insert acupuncture needles or perform acupressure massage. For acupuncture he will first cleanse the specific acupuncture points with surgical spirit. He will then insert the acupuncture needles and ensure you are comfortable. You will be invited to relax while you listen to some music. Most people find acupuncture treatment extremely relaxing and they drift off to sleep for a time. This relaxation is treatment in itself as the body has the opportunity to take time for healing itself. After removing the needles, the skin is again cleansed and the needles are disposed of according to strict health and hygiene standards.

I don’t like the idea of taking anything like herbs.

At Golden Health we are all too aware of the bad reputation that some complementary treatments and medicines have attached to them. We can assure all our customers that TCM medicines and herbal preparations prescribed by us are from reliable and properly licensed sources, are prepared to the highest standards and contain no illegal substances or animal parts.

I have heard that Chinese medicine is made from banned animal products.

Golden Health does not sell or prescribe any medicines made from animal products. All our medicines are strictly plant based and are sourced from reliable and properly licensed sources.