Frequently Asked Questions

Acupuncture is the system of medicine, which restores and maintains health, by the Insertion of fine needles Into specific points on the surface of the body. The action of needling these points stimulates the body to rebalance itself, catalysing homoeostasis by activating our own recuperative and self-healing-powers. Traditionally, acupuncture is seen as redirecting the vital energy of the body called QI (pronounced "chi" In Chinese). This flows continuously round the meridian systems, an energetic network of channels that not only connect the acupuncture points but each other. These directly influence the functioning of the internal organs and other controlling systems of the body.

Acupuncture aims at treating the patient, rather than the disease. This means that the acupuncturist looks at the patient as a whole, finds the cause of the illness and the imbalance of the energy causing it. The imbalance is corrected so restoring health to the entire body, rather than just removing the symptoms. Since all illness is the result of an imbalance of energy, acupuncture with its broad perspective of considering the whole person, can effect almost any illness as long as the degenerative process in the tissues of the body, is not too extensive.
It is interesting to note that acupuncture also addresses conditions that may not have a western diagnosis.

The acupuncturist cannot answer questions like ''can acupuncture cure my migraine?'' the question should rather be ''Can this particular patient be cured of their migraine?''. However since all illness is the result of an imbalance of energy, acupuncture with its broad perspective of considering the whole person, can effect almost any illness.

In general the older the condition or illness, the longer you will need treatment. So don''t expect miracles! Generally we suggest a minimum of three treatments in which period we may solve your problem. However, since every person is treated as a unique individual, it is not possible to exactly forecast the duration of the treatment as this depends on the reaction of the treatment itself.

When carried out by a qualified acupuncturist the treatment is completely safe. The British Acupuncture Council (B.AcC) represent professional acupuncturists who have undertaken extensive training and who abide by a strict code of ethics. The Department of Health also fully approves the B.AcC code of practise. Yvette Masure is a fully licensed member of B.AcC and always uses the highest quality disposable sterile needles.

During the first consultation you will be asked questions to build up your medical profile. These will include questions about your current symptoms and what treatment you have received so far, your medical history and that of your close family, emotional state and sleeping patterns, your diet and digestive system and other related questions. The pulses on both wrists are taken, noting strength, rhythm and quality. These pulses are related to the twelve main organs of the body and indicate how the energies are flowing in your body.
All the information that is gathered helps to determine the cause of your problem enabling the acupuncturist to select the most appropriate treatment for you.
Acupuncture treatment then consists of the insertion of fine needles in a few carefully selected points on the body. This treatment will adjust the energy channels to address your specific compliant. It will also boost you overall vitality and energy. These needles ranging from as few as two or three but sometimes as many as six or eight, are left in place for an average of twenty minutes. Generally it is found to be a pleasant and relaxing experience.
Another method commonly used in conjunction with acupuncture is moxibustion. This consists of a dried herb Artemesia Vulgaris (Mugwort) burned on the end of a chosen needle so that it smoulders. This has the effect of heating the needle, giving a reinforcing and toning action. Also Moxa can be burned in the form of a cigar like stick above the skin to heat larger areas of the body if required.
The first consultation generally takes seventy-five minutes and following treatments take forty-five minutes

The thought of needles hurts! Acupuncture is a relaxing and enjoyable experience. The insertion of such fine needles is virtually painless, the tiniest pin prick may be felt however in the relaxed state you will be in after the first needle has been inserted, all your fears will be dissolved.

Chinese medicine does challenge the Western mind. Western authors of Chinese medical text warn against reductionist logic, while using reductionist language.

In the West, to know how to treat an illness, we must diagnose it.
Teachings from ancient Chinese text concede that the only constant in Chinese medicine is change. How do we diagnose what is always changing? How do we treat the un-diagnosable? The answer lies in that in Chinese medicine we treat the person, not the illness.

Syndrome differentiation is not a diagnostic end but a method of associative thinking. The problem confronted then, in clinic daily, is that the patients almost never "fit" the text, and can rarely be reduced to a syndrome. While both Doctor and patient may feel relief from diagnosis, assured by knowing what to call "the problem", the image of recovery starts sometime later, with therapy intervention, or a prescription.

In Chinese medicine the doctor and patient examine the problem, together. Moving beyond cognitive discourse, questioning and response, to join in a somatic rapport. Palpation facilitates the discovery of sensory association and treatment comes from the "asking" with palpation, which folds into treatment that continues asking. The most important question is confronted within the session itself, not what is wrong, what do I call it, but can it change? Can, or will I, get better?
So that is the "knowing doing" of our treatment. Can we separate theory from practice? Nowhere in looking, listening, touching or asking do we diagnose. We do locate, describe and push to change.
Let us not make rigid what is fluid and changing, and diminish its potential.
The practitioner looks for the ebb and flow, the wax and wane, the range of change in any disorder. What helps and what hinders. In fact there may not be a "correct" or fundamental view for a given case, only a co-creation that serves the immediate patient-practitioner somatic intervention. To forge ahead in the "knowing doing" of third Era vibrational medicine, subtle energetic work, that we now aspire towards, bringing closer the East to West, and our intuitive being more in balance with our minds eye. It is then within change that affords the possibility for healing.