What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient form of medical practice originating in China over 3,000 years ago. In recent years it has become an increasingly used technique in the West, practised alongside conventional western medicine. It is the insertion of very fine needles into the skin at particular points on the body. Whether you believe in acupuncture or not seems to make no difference to the result of your treatment.
Your Practitioner
Treatments are carried out by Dr Janet Greenway who qualified in Medicine at Edinburgh University in 1973 and gained her Fellowship in Anaesthetics in 1981. Janet worked part time in the Anaesthetic Department at St Richard's Hospital while her children were small, becoming increasingly interested in acupuncture and complementary medicine as an adjunct to ‘conventional western medicine'. Janet is a member of the British Medical Acupuncture Society.
Treatments
We recommend a course of six treatments at weekly intervals and this will be adjusted according to your response. The initial treatment will take up to 1 hour and subsequent treatments 45 minutes. Needles are placed in certain parts of the body for anything up to 30 minutes, sometimes in positions that are distant from the site of the condition being treated. This usually causes little or no discomfort and Janet will be in attendance throughout. Acupuncture needles are sterile and are thrown away after each use so there is no risk of transmitting disease.
Treatments are provided free of charge, although donations to the hospice are always gratefully received. Treatments are available to those receiving care from St Wilfrid's Hospice. If you would like to discuss the possibility of treatment with acupuncture, please speak with one of the nurses or doctors at the hospice. Treatments are carried out weekly in the Day Hospice on Wednesday afternoons.
How will it make me feel?
Acupuncture has very few side effects and any which do occur are usually minor. During acupuncture the body releases endorphins, natural chemicals which can relieve tight muscles, aches and pains and increase feelings of well-being. Some people feel tired after a session and we advise that you do not drive immediately following the treatment. Some symptoms may not show signs of improving straight away and this will be monitored at each session.
