Acupuncture (Siân Morriss Acupuncture)

What to expect

Treatment sessions are tailored to the individual: I will make a diagnosis during your first consultation.

Sessions usually include:

Pulse and tongue diagnosis

Pulse taking Sian Morriss Acupuncture
Pulse and tongue diagnosis

I will ask you questions about your health, take your pulse on both wrists and examine your tongue. Taking the pulse guides the choice of acupuncture points. It also gives feedback about how your treatment is progressing.

Our tongue gives a lot of information about our health. Please do not brush your tongue before your appointment: it is important that I see how your tongue normally looks.

Structural assessment

Structural assessment Sian Morriss Acupuncture

 

Structural assessment

In the case of a musculo-skeletal problem it is important to conduct a thorough physical examination. For example, if you had shoulder pain, we would make sure your shoulder was the source of the problem, not referred pain from another part of your body (e.g. the neck). I conduct tests for range of movement and to detect movements that cause pain. This helps to identify which acupuncture points need to be used. It also acts as a gauge to measure improvement.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture Sian Morriss

 

Acupuncture

After our discussion about your health, the pulse diagnosis and tongue check, I will choose the relevant acupuncture points. Needles stay in for different lengths of time. Sometimes needles are in for approximately 20 minutes; sometimes I remove them immediately.

For some cases I use other therapies including Tui Na and Moxibustion (see below).

Other therapies: Tui Na (Chinese massage)

Tui Na Sian Morriss Acupuncture

 

Tui Na (Chinese massage)

When treating musculo-skeletal complaints I use Tui Na (Chinese medical massage). It is an over the clothes manual therapy often used in conjunction with acupuncture before or after needling.

Other therapies: Moxibustion

Moxa Sian Morriss Acupuncture

 

Moxibustion

Another technique I use is moxibustion. This is the burning of the herb artemisia vulgaris (mugwort) on or over the skin. It can be applied in several ways. In the above picture I am using a cigar-shaped stick to warm the area indirectly.

I also use cupping and electro-acupuncture where applicable.

Further information

I offer consultation and follow-up treatments.

If you have any questions about what happens in a treatment session please read my answers to frequently asked questions or contact me.

Book an appointment

I can help you with a wide range of health problems: please book an appointment or contact me to find out more about how I can help you.