Meridians
Acupuncture Clinic

What should I expect when I go to an appointment?

Acupuncture is based on the manipulation of the flow of energy in your body. To understand your specific flow, I will be looking at areas where the energy manifests itself, which can including the tongue, wrists back and overall look of your body, and how you hold yourself, and speak in other words the complete and "whole person" A full medical history will be taken, questions about lifestyle and habits much like a doctors appointment but much more relaxed and lengthy, usually the first appointment takes between 45 minutes to an hour. You will be asked to lay on the treatment table and fine sterile needles will be inserted painlessly into specific points, after approx 20 minutes the needles will be removed.

Cupping

Cupping is an alternative to needles, a method of stimulating the acupuncture points by applying suction through a glass-cupping jar. This technique produces blood congestion at the site, and therefore stimulates it. Cupping can be used for various conditions.

Electro acupuncture

The application of a pulsating electrical currant attached to acupuncture needles as a means of stimulating the acu points. This was developed in china around 1934. The Benefits: It produces a stronger stimulation without causing tissue damage, it is easier to control the amount of stimulus; beneficial for neurological diseases, chronic pain, spasm, tennis elbow, infertility to name a few.

Cosmetic acupuncture

This new modality can enhance not only your physical appearance but also your overall health, giving you a glow that radiates from deep within. While cosmetic acupuncture, as a spa feature is a somewhat new phenomenon, there are nevertheless centuries-old records of it being used in the service of beauty. What's more, acupuncture's ability to improve a variety of skin conditions has now been documented in legitimate clinical studies. Its effectiveness is no longer a question of hearsay or testimonials.

Moxi-bustion

Relatively new to the west, moxi-bustion is a highly developed medical science in china and an important component of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The mugwort herb is used called moxi in china, it is heated either on the acupuncture needle or on the skin, to stimulate and invigorate the flow of "Qi " and dispel certain pathogenic factors. What should I feel? It is not uncommon for patients to feel more relaxed as the warmth flows along those meridians, which are causing the imbalance.

Fertility

Acupuncture aids blood flow through reproductive organs and stabilizes hormone levels, increasing ovarian function in women and sperm production in men. Meaning that those couples who feel they need a little help, or those who would like to just get their bodies in tip top shape before conception this certainly is one of the best ways of doing that. It is also used as a form of therapy for couples undergoing fertility treatments, acupuncture has been proven to be especially beneficial, also helping women to stay more relaxed through stressful fertility treatments. A German study done in 2002 showed that of the 80 women who underwent IVF and received acupuncture, 34 women got pregnant, a success rate of 42.5%. Of the 80 women involved in the study who received IVF without any acupuncture treatments, only 21 women (26.3%) became pregnant. More recently, an American study involving 114 women showed that 51% of the women who had acupuncture and IVF treatments became pregnant versus only 36% of the women who had IVF alone. Deeper analysis of this study revealed that, while 8% of the women in the acupuncture group miscarried, the rate of miscarriage in the IVF-only group was 20%. Furthermore, women who received acupuncture also had lower rates of ectopic pregnancies.

The Male Factor

Subfertility in men accounts for 40 - 50% of cases of infertility in couples. In another 20 - 30% both the male and female are subfertile. It is therefore extremely important to address the male factor for couples having difficulty conceiving.
It has been shown that TCM can enhance sperm quality and quantity which in turn can improve chances of natural conception.
Chinese Medicine and western technology for example IVF or IUI are very commonly used together. By improving semen quality and quantity, TCM can help reduce the chances of miscarriage due to male factors. TCM can increase blood flow to the testicles. When the testicles are nourished with blood, function is improved and the number of good quality sperm can increase. Healthy sperm help to insure good quality embryos and decrease the chance of creating any embryos with genetic defects. This improves the chance of a secure implantation and lessens the risk of a potential miscarriage.
The combination of Western medical technology with TCM's acupuncture and herbs has proven to be an effective and powerful union. this approach can improve semen parameters, thereby increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy.
Individualised treatment plans are developed incorporating acupuncture, nutrition and herbal medicine to support and enhance the chances of natural conception. If natural conception is not achieved then support can be given to both partners through the process of ART (artificial reproductive technology).

Controlling Pain

In terms of pain control, the effects of Chinese herbal and acupuncture treatment include:

• To relieve pain completely, or give as much relief as possible
• To reduce pain levels
• To improve the ability to deal with pain
• To regulate the emotions
• To increase the energy
• To increase the ability to perform everyday functions
• To enhance the quality of life
• To reduce reliance on inappropriate medications

How does acupuncture relieve pain? Modern research has many explanations. They include acupuncture's ability to effect the transmission of pain impulses, to stimulate the release of endorphins (the body's natural pain relievers), to increase seratonin levels which influences one's sensitivity to pain, and to effect levels of acetylcholine and catecholamine levels -- other neurotransmitters that influence our perception of pain.

In my clinic I treat many patients who find great relief from all sorts of pain, from back pain to fibromyalgia it is a comforting , relaxing treatment and one which brings great results.

Food Intolerance Blood Testing

Blood Testing for common foods you may be intolerant to, are also tested by me in the clinic . This is a very quick and easy sample of blood taken and sent away to the lab, the most effective and best ways of testing food allergies.

Food Intolerance Associated Conditions:

• Overweight
• Sinusitis
• Indigestion
• Irritable Bowel
• Arthritis
• Eczema/acne
• Recurring cystitis
• Asthma
• Hayfever
• Migraine/Headaches

Food intolerance is primarily caused by a spasm of the stomach and intestines. The digestive system is unable to digest food when it is caught in such a spasm. It is like a clenched fist which is unable to relax. This results in undigested foods arriving in the intestines. It is these undigested foods which ultimately become the intolerance foods.
If we carry on eating our intolerance foods the immune system is challenged continuously, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week and eventually becomes fractious and irritable and this causes it to over-react. This results in the immune system being activated by innocuous triggers such as house dust, pollen, paint fumes, etc.

If this chronic irritation of the immune system is allowed to continue it eventually begins to attack its own tissues leading to arthritis, sinusitis, irritable bowel and all other such auto immune diseases.

The following blood tests are available:
93 foods ,
43 foods,
Celiac
Rheumatoid arthritis
Vitamin D and
Helicobactor

What is Auriculotherapy?

Auriculotherapy or ear acupuncture is a micro system that has evolved from the belief that the ear resembles a fetus and that certain points on the ear correspond with internal organs or anatomical regions. A French Physician Dr Paul Nogier founded a contemporary approach, ear acupuncture on observations and research in the 1950s. Additionally, there are references to ear acupuncture in some Chinese texts resulting in the emergence of two systems commonly referred to as Chinese and French ear or auricular acupuncture.
Using aurical needles, which are placed in the ear, and left for a period of up to 5 days, can be beneficial in rebalancing the body and relaxing the muscles.
Acudetox is an ear acupuncture protocol developed in the USA by Dr Michael O. Smith in the 1970s, which uses five points in the ear to bring about physiological changes to help in all stages of recovery from alcohol and other drug dependencies.

Location

Meridians Acupuncture Clinic is situated in Woodlawn, Killarney just a few minutes from the town centre, the clinic is warm, with a homely feel, and the rooms are bright and always catch the sun. I hope that you will contact me and maybe take the first steps toward better health and well-being.

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