Although acupuncture treatments mainly involve the insertion of thin, sterile needles into the skin, the experience isn't meant to be painful or uncomfortable. Most people feel either very relaxed during and after a treatment, or energised.
You may feel a slight pricking sensation when the needles are inserted, although you often feel nothing, but what is commonly felt after this is tingling, warmth, heaviness or a dull ache, which is known as needle sensation, or de qi. The needles used are sterile and single use, and extremely thin.
Moxibustion may also be used in treatment, which involves the herb mugwort, or moxa, being burnt and used to warm the skin, and the channels. It may be placed on the end of the needles, or held a couple of inches from the skin. Most patients enjoy this sensation and it is very effective in painful or cold conditions.
Cupping, which is the process of using glass jars placed on the skin creating a suction, is used to promote the free flow of Qi and Blood in the channels, which diminishes swellings and pain. You may be left with a mark on the skin after cupping, but it will clear up within a few days.
The majority of the time treatments will just consist of acupuncture, and therefore Gemma will always explain to you different techniques and options before carrying out anything new.
