Tel: 020 8339 3777
Hinchley Wood, Esher
Osteopathic Clinic
Acupuncture with Chrisoula Fantidou BSc (Hons) MBAcC
Chrisoula graduated from Salford University with an honours degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine, specialising in Acupuncture. Additional studies included women’s health, infertility and pain management. She is a member of the British Acupuncture Council and, in addition to acupuncture, can also offer other techniques including ear acupuncture , massage, cupping, moxibustion and electroacupuncture.
Acupuncture is a system of healing which has been practised in China and other Eastern Countries for thousands of years. It is used to treat people with a wide range of conditions, with examples ranging from pain relief to infertility. Its focus is on improving the overall well being of the patient rather than the isolated treatment of specific symptoms. The principal aim of acupuncture in treating the whole person is to recover the equilibrium between the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual.
An acupuncturist takes a detailed case history on the patient’s first visit, and then formulates a personalised treatment based on the individual and their symptoms.
What is acupuncture and how does it work?
Acupuncture is an ancient system of medicine that provides effective health care, both in disease management and general well being.
It utilises the enormous potential of the human body to adjust, repair and heal itself without the use of drugs and their associated side effects.
The philosophy behind Acupuncture is that energy flow (Qi) circulates around the body in energy lines (meridians), and if this flow is impaired, imbalance and illness results. For example, blocked energy can manifest itself as a painful area.
With the insertion of fine needles into specific locations known as acupoints the practitioner aims to redirect the flow of Qi in order to restore the balance and resolve the illness.
Can it help me?
Acupuncture can help a wide variety of conditions, including:
• Chronic pain, back problems, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, carpel tunnel, repetitive strain injury, neck pain, sciatica
• Insomnia, depression, anxiety
• Stress, grief and bereavement
• Preventative care and general well being
• Migraines, headaches, dizziness
• Hay fever, asthma, skin complaints
• IBS, digestive problems, constipation, Crohn’s disease, colitis, nausea
• Infertility, menstrual problems, IVF assistance
• Breech presentation
• Menopausal problems
• ME, chronic fatigue
• Obesity, diabetes, hypertension, circulatory problems
• Osteo and rheumatoid arthritis
How often will I need treatment?
The number of treatments required varies from person to person, dependent upon the individual’s condition and response to acupuncture.
Sometimes the effects of the treatment may be dramatic, and only a couple of visits are required.
With other patients the effects are more subtle and they may require treatment over a longer period. The average course of treatment is between 6 and 10 sessions.
What happens during a treatment?
An acupuncturist takes a detailed case history and examines wrist pulses and tongue on the patient’s first visit, formulating a personalised treatment based on the individual and their symptoms.
Treatment involves the insertion of fine sterile needles into specific locations (acupoints) and may include massage. You may feel a light pinprick on insertion and some sensation of dullness or heaviness. The needles are left in place for about 20 minutes while you rest.