What is acupuncture:

Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into the body to relieve pain and stimulate a healing response. Although acupuncture can comprehensively treat a wide range of health complaints, our approach focuses on pain relief, specialising in headaches.

There are two very different approaches to acupuncture: Western medical acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine. Mark trained in the Western approach with the Organisation that provides the gold standard training in the UK the British Medical Acupuncture Society, he is also registered with the BMAS. He trained in the traditional approach with the Si Yaun a college set up by the founder of the balance method Dr Richard Tan. 

Western medical acupuncture:

Western medical Acupuncture works from the basis of a medical diagnosis. Treatment and principles are solely based on anatomy, physiology, and scientific pathology. Click here for a medical explanation of how acupuncture relieves pain and stimulates a healing reaction. A major factor with Medical Acupuncture is diagnosis & treatment of myofascial trigger points. Trigger points can be the cause of your pain and also the reason muscles are tight and joints are restricted. There is some cross-over with traditional Chinese medicine; medical Acupuncture will treat some Acupuncture points used in Traditional acupuncture. However, only points that have been successful in medical trials will be included with this approach.

Traditional Chinese approach:

Traditional Chinese philosophy is based on the concept of Chi. Chi is thought to be the body's ability to heal, repair, replenish, and self-regulate. This approach believes that ill health and pain occur when chi becomes blocked and can’t reach areas of the body or becomes unbalanced. The act of needling carried out in Acupuncture unblocks any restrictions to the movement of chi and balances chi as it moves around the body. Needling points distant to the pain can regulate the overall balance of chi in both body and mind.