What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a gentle, ancient medicine that works by placing very fine needles at precise points on the body to support your natural energy (known as Qi, pronounced “chee”). These points help shift areas of imbalance, release blockages, and restore the body’s ability to heal and regulate itself.
Rather than simply treating symptoms, acupuncture works on a deeper level — promoting balance across body, mind, and spirit.

What happens in a session?
Your first session begins with a thorough consultation. We'll talk about your health, life, and what's bringing you to treatment — physical symptoms, emotional wellbeing, sleep, stress, energy, and anything else you’d like to share. This builds a picture of what’s going on beneath the surface and helps me understand how best to support you.

After this, I’ll gently insert ultra-fine needles into specific points on the body. You might feel a dull ache or a brief warmth — these are positive signs of Qi responding. In some cases, the needles stay in for a little while; in others, they’re removed once the response is felt. I’ll explain everything as we go and stay present with you throughout the session.

Follow-up treatments begin with a check-in on how you’re feeling, followed by a treatment tailored to that day’s needs.

How often should I come?
At first, I usually recommend weekly sessions for four to six weeks. This helps build momentum and allows the treatment to take root.
Once things begin to shift and hold, we’ll space the sessions out more — eventually moving towards maintenance treatments, often every few months or at seasonal changes, when our bodies are more naturally in flux.

How many treatments will I need?
Everyone responds differently. Some people notice change straight away, while for others it’s more gradual. That said, four to six treatments is a good place to start before reviewing how things are progressing.
We’re not just looking for short-term relief — we’re supporting lasting balance from the root up.

Are the needles clean / reused?
All needles are single-use, sterile, and safely disposed of after each session.

What should I wear?
Loose, comfortable clothing is ideal — something that can roll up easily around the arms, legs, and torso. Avoid anything tight or restrictive, like leggings or sports bras, so I can access the points I need.

Are there any side effects?
Let’s hope so — ideally, you’ll feel relief from the symptoms that brought you to treatment, along with added benefits like better sleep, mood, or digestion.
On the more practical side: side effects are rare but may include mild soreness or slight bruising where the needles were placed. These effects are typically brief and nothing to worry about.

Can acupuncture be combined with other treatments?
Yes, acupuncture often works well alongside other therapies. Just let your healthcare providers know you’re receiving acupuncture, so all treatments can work together safely and effectively.

Is acupuncture safe?
Yes — when carried out by a qualified practitioner using sterile, single-use needles, acupuncture is very safe. I follow strict safety protocols and am fully trained and licensed in Five Element Acupuncture.

What’s the difference between Five Element Acupuncture and TCM Acupuncture?
Both Five Element Acupuncture and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Acupuncture come from the same rich tradition of Chinese medicine, but they differ slightly in focus.

Five Element Acupuncture looks at the individual as a whole — body, mind, and spirit — and treats imbalances through the lens of the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. It seeks to understand which element is out of balance at the core of a person’s illness or distress, and aims to restore harmony at a deep level.

TCM Acupuncture focuses more on patterns of disharmony in the body’s energy systems, using diagnostic frameworks like yin and yang, excess and deficiency, or heat and cold. It is often symptom-focused and is widely used to treat a broad range of physical conditions.

Both approaches are valuable, and many practitioners integrate insights from both traditions to best support each patient’s needs.