Kerry Wratten Acupuncture Devon

Traditional Acupuncture

The first time I see you I will spend approximately 1 ½ hours with you. Most of this time will be spent making a “Traditional Diagnosis” which involves asking detailed questions about your current and past health, including factors such as sleeping patterns, appetite, digestion and emotional wellbeing, taking your pulses, looking at your tongue and where necessary a physical exam may be performed.

The treatment 

Fine, single-use, pre-sterilised, disposable needles are used at specific acupuncture points on the body to stimulate energy. Because many acupuncture points are located on the lower arms and legs, it is helpful to wear clothing that allows easy access to these areas.  
When combined with other Chinese Medicine techniques both clinical results and speed of recovery can be enhanced.

The aim of Dry Needling is to achieve a local twitch response to release muscle tension and pain. Dry needling is an effective treatment for chronic pain of neuropathic origin with very few side effects.
The needle used is very thin and most subjects do not even feel it penetrate the skin. A healthy muscle feels very little discomfort with insertion of this needle. However if the muscle is sensitive and shortened or has active trigger points within it, the subject will feel a sensation like a muscle cramp -’the twitch response’. The patient also may feel a reproduction of “their” pain which is a helpful diagnostic indicator for the practitioner attempting to diagnose the cause of the patient’s symptoms. Patients soon learn to recognise and even welcome this sensation as it results in deactivating the trigger point, reducing pain and restoring normal length function to the involved muscle.

Facial Acupuncture treatment is based on the principles of Traditional Oriental Medicine and involves the insertion of hair-thin needles into particular areas of the face, ears, neck, hands, trunk, and legs along channels or meridians of vital energy called Qi. Specific points are chosen to manipulate the movement of energy in the body according to any imbalances you may have. Thousands of years ago the Chinese discovered that many meridians either begin or end on the face while some have internal branches that go to the face. Thus, practitioners of Facial Acupuncture know how to specifically affect the flow of Qi in the meridians that flow in the face while simultaneously treating any underlying constitutional disharmonies.

A course of facial acupuncture generally consists of 12 treatments, ideally a week or so apart. The effects become most noticeable and lasting on or about the seventh session. Each person responds differently, depending on his or her condition and lifestyle prior to treatment. Following the initial course of treatment, maintenance sessions can prolong the results for five to ten years. Use of other therapies such as facial massage, acupressure and a healthy diet can further enhance treatment effects.

The treatments will increase collagen production, and blood and lymph circulation to the face and scalp. This in turn will help prevent the formation of wrinkles, minimise the appearance of fine lines and improve the process by which the skin regulates its quality and appearance. It helps restructure skin and relaxes facial muscles.

Facial acupuncture stimulates the bodys ability to regenerate itself by accelerating anti-inflammatory activity and removing accumulative toxins from the skin.