Acupuncture has been endorsed for 100 conditions as considered to be effectively treatable by the World Health Organization (W.H.O) and the list is ever expanding.

This therefore is not a comprehensive list of the most common presenting issues seen by

Please see Conditions and Issues which I see in clinic for a full listing and then a focused overview or a selection of these.

According to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the flow of energy throughout the body is via lines or channels or energy – the 12 primary meridians and 8 extra channels. Hair thin flexible needles are inserted just under the skin at certain specific points, called acupoints, along these meridians and channels to remove blockages and regulate or strengthen the flow of energy. Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning. A pleasant side effect of acupuncture is the extreme sense of relaxation and decreased levels of stress and anxiety many experiences during treatment. In fact, many people fall asleep, quite safely, during their treatment!

A range of other fascinating Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment modalities are typically utilised in conjunction with acupuncture. Many in fact can  also be used as stand-alone therapies or practices and may indeed be preferred in certain circumstances.

Here is a brief outline of those used at W.B.D. when appropriate to the clients needs and with no additional fee:

Acupressure – focused but comfortable finger pressure upon an individualised acupuncture point selection along the energy meridians and channels of the clients’ body.

Cupping– a specialized cup is used to create a partial vacuum over specific body zones to relieve pain and improve the flow of energy, lymph and circulation. It has multiple uses, including helping with digestive and respiratory issues.

Gua Sha a smooth rounded object is press-stroked across the surface of the skin to produce intentional transitory redness and petechiae, known as “sha”.according to T.C.M. principles this indicates stagnant energy or pain centers trapped in muscles or around joints that are being released.

Ear Seeds or Beads – These are very small vaccaria seed / magnetic seeds adhered onto the ear or body points to perform a gentle long lasting acupressure and also used to regulate or stimulate acupuncture points by virtue of the properties of the seeds/ beads themselves.

Heat Lamp – The TDP is an exceptional type of heat lamp used in the WBD clinic with a plate containing 33 elements essential to the human body and far-Infrared heating properties, which when heated are absorbed by the body.

It’s a safe and deeply relaxing heat treatment utilised traditionally for boosting vitality, promoting enhanced inner “heat” / metabolism, (especially for those who are often tired and find it difficult to get warm. It’s immensely popular too for and relaxation and for pain relief.

Moxibustion  – The moxa herb, Artemisa vulgaris, amplifies the healing effects of acupuncture or can be used by itself as a healing protocol.

Moxa is usually rolled into a stick, lit, and held over specific points or zones of the body. It can also be placed onto the acupuncture needle handle for deeper heat penetration.

Direct moxibustion utilises sticks of moxa and indirect moxibustion using monkshood cakes or ginger, garlic slices protective burn cream to insulate the skin.

Chinese Dietary principles – Food-as-medicine is a long-standing tradition in most Asian cultures. An overview of on eastern nutrition principles and practice, with a detailed handout, is typically given to most clients on their second visit as individualised to their needs.

Qigong A traditional medicine system of movement and gentle exercises that are regarded as having the capacity to re-balance and restore your body’s energy. The combination of breath, posture, movement and mind intent engaged together has been traditionally utilised for the support of lifelong health and wellbeing.

Yes.

Acupuncture is only one facet of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Anne offers a range of effective and popular needle-free treatments to clients in a treatment bundle.

This can be selected from the range of adjuvant and standalone therapies above, such as cupping and heat lamp or Gua Sha and Dietary Therapy instruction or acupressure and ear seeds

See as described above.

Patients should not feel uncomfortable or pain to any degree. Needles are hair thin, sterile and are disposed after treatment. Today’s acupuncture needles are extremely fine in diameter (approximately the thickness of 2 human hairs, pre-packaged, sterile and disposable).

Some patients may feel a slight pressure, a tingle, or heaviness in the site where the needle is inserted. You may feel different sensations including slight soreness, numbness, warmth, or pressure, these energetic sensations differs from pain.

People often comment that the feeling is unfamiliar but pleasant and comforting.

Your first appointment will be 1 1/2 to 2 hours, the initial intake covers your main complaints, medical history, nutritional habits, pulse and tongue diagnosis. Usually a treatment is given, unless you require emergent care. Wearing comfortable and loose fitted clothing and eating before your treatment is best.

After the treatment has been administered, depending on the ailment being treated, many experiences may occur. Immediate, total or partial relief from pain or other symptoms may be experienced. Some people experience a sudden burst of energy, while others may feel relaxed and calm. Small localized bruises from minor bleeding under the skin are infrequent, but do occur. These are no cause for alarm and despite the cosmetic inconvenience, they provide a kind of bonus treatment. The re-absorption of the blood continues the stimulation of the acupuncture point even without the needle in place.

I always take into consideration  any fears a patient may have and adjust treatments accordingly

In my practice, I use only the very best quality needles currently available on the international market for patient comfort, (referred to as”Pain-Free needles”).

When performed by practitioners trained in acupuncture, Acupuncture is very safe.

Acupuncture needles used are pre-packaged, sterile and disposable. They are used once and safely disposed of into a biohazard container.

Occasionally people may be a little sore or have a small bruise at the insertion site of the needles. This should not cause undue concern about injury or long-lasting harm.

That’s because on the infrequent occasional an individual may have discomfort or a small bruise; the sensation typically lasts for seconds to a few minutes and small marks transient.

The extraordinarily strong safety profile of this healing practice, which has been used for thousands of years in China, is likely one of the reasons why it’s the treatment of choice now for one-fourth of the world’s population internationally.

Dry Needling, (D.N.) is a quite rudimentary type of acupuncture that involves finding a sore spot in a muscle and needling into it. It causes the muscle fibres to tear and the tightness (or knot) is released.

Acupuncture as taught in Traditional Oriental Medicine is a non-reductionist, mind-body, holistic medicine.

Dry Needling courses are often exceptionally short – 3 to 6 weekends, versus the average Acupuncture programme time internationally. For example, in Ireland, Europe and North America Acupuncture courses are approximately 3 to 4 years duration.

Needling safely over the lungs, organs, along the spine and face takes practice, skill and a thorough knowledge of correct technique.

Certain areas of the body are contra-indicated (not to be needled) under certain conditions and for certain people, which D.N. does not take into consideration.

Pregnant women, children and the elderly require specialised treatment protocols that only a registered acupuncturist can provide.

Dry needling is typically perceived to be quire notably painful by clients and generally tends to offer the short-term solutions.

Acupuncture is typically not regarded as an uncomfortable healing modality by clients and it addresses the underlying cause or multifactorial causes, in order for long term healing to take place.

Well Being Dublin sees clients from 15 and upwards.

The clinic does not offer services for fertility or for pregnancy support, (since there are many specialist practitioners in this area who have a particular affinity and dedicated training for this work.)

Yes, Anne was a photographer in her 20’s and is happy to take a quick shot for you at the end of your acupuncture session, (just before the needles are removed).

If you’d like a photo please do mention that before your acupuncture session so that a few minutes are left aside for same.

Your first treatment is approximately an hour and a half and involves a comprehensive initial consultation in which a diagnosis is made and Anne determines which T.C.M. treatments are right for you.

After the initial consultation, Anne moves right into a first treatment during the same visit.

The treatment time on visit one can be 20-30 minutes or up to 45 minutes, depending upon the how complex, long lasting, multifactorial the issue or issues being treated are.

Follow-up visits consist of a much shorter intake/diagnosis/ with follow up homecare advice before treatment, and generally lasts one hour.

It’s advisable that clients try not to schedule their visits so tightly that they are concerned about the time during their initial appointment.

Anne is registered with the ACI (Acupuncture Council of Ireland) and all ACI members are approved by Aviva, VHI, Laya Healthcare and HSA for Out-Patient insurance purposes.

Most Irish private health schemes cover acupuncture when carried out by qualified, licenced, practitioners. Please check with your health provider with regards the details of your coverage under your own chosen health care scheme.

All patient notes and information shared remain 100% strictly confidential.

If forms are returned to me by email in electronic data form via a mobile phone or email, these are printed out or noted in your patient file. My mobile phones and laptops are password protected.

Notes and information may be shared between Anne and other healthcare practitioners where a client has explicitly stated that they deem it necessary and with their permission.

All of the information you share which is stored in a paper format is kept in your patient file, locked in a storage filing cabinet.

For website privacy details please read more here.

Generally, once a week is recommended at the beginning of your course of treatments and a course of treatments is generally considered to be 4 to 6 treatments.

Anne can advise clients further on this factor based on the information gathered during the initial consultation.

As your condition or issue addressed improves, you may only need a treatment every 2 or 3 weeks.

Once you have improved, you may come in if you feel the beginning of symptoms or a similar presenting pattern starting to arise at any point into the future.

Seasonal tune ups are also immensely popular and recommended within the Traditional Chinese Medicine system of health and wellness.

Please keep in mind, chronic conditions take that bit longer to resolve then acute conditions. Age, activity, lifestyle also play a role in response times.

Most times people notice change the first day of treatment. Understandably, this varies from person to person and with respects to the kinds of issues addressed/conditions treated.  As a rule, conditions that are deep-seated and very chronic will likely take longer than newer conditions.

Anne often recommends clients try 3 treatments in a 3-week period. Then you can observe how you have benefited from the in-clinic sessions plus home care tips and advice integrated into one’s own lifestyle within this timeframe.

By that time, you will likely have a strong indication as to whether you would like to continue.

As long as you are seeing improvement, it’s likely you will want to keep coming until you reach the point at which you’re fully satisfied that all your progress goals have been met.

Once you make contact with Anne, she will answer whatever inquiries you might have to make sure that you have all the information you need, to make the decision to  start your health journey using herbal medicine, (or acupuncture/ stand-alone naturopathy the other modalities used at Well Being Dublin).

Upon booking your appointment, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to your new patient paperwork. 

A first visit typically takes approximately one and a half hours. During the comprehensive consultation, Anne will ask questions about the particular issue you’d like to address and about your overall health.

In your first treatment, Anne will also carry out the initial examination which includes observation of your tongue and Traditional Chinese Medicine pulse analysis.

Appropriate palpation (i.e. touch for diagnostic means) may occur where necessary and with consent. An example of this may be where Anne carefully pressed into areas on the shoulder to assist a client in identifying a specific shoulder zone prohibiting full range of motion.

After the assessment is done the treatment proceeds. You’ll be advised on how you need to be position yourself on the comfortable acupuncture table for the treatment.  Anne will step out to allow you to change and get settled under the sheet or sheet and blanket.

In most cases you will be fully clothed, with just the request to make small alterations on the positioning of your clothing – such as rolling up trousers to under the knee or undressing to expose an area of weakness for correct acupuncture needle placement.

The highest consideration is extended towards clients for consensual, appropriate and respectful interactions during body work and careful draping is always used to facilitate client comfort, safety and trust.

Anne will be using an individualised acupuncture point prescription, which will typically include 6 to 8 sets of points; many of which are located below the elbows & knees. Other common areas of the body where acupuncture is performed include the abdomen and back.

Once all the needles are positioned, you will be left to relax for 20-40 mins.

Anne may quietly return so as not to disturb your relaxation and gently stimulate the needles briefly or add in other modalities such as moxa or a heat lamp as appropriate to your case.

While you are resting in the cosy, comfortable spa like environment, Anne will be in the room just opposite to you close by, writing up her notes for your session, preparing your handout or making your herbal medicine, if it had been requested when booking in for acupuncture.

Should you need Anne for anything, for example to adjust your pillow and enhance your comfort or reposition a needle, she is within easy hearing distance and available to be back in to you straight away.

Once the treatment is complete, the needles will be removed and disposed of and you will be ready to depart.

Anne works with just one client per visit during the allocated appointment for optimum client comfort, safety and care. (Some acupuncturists, just fyi for comparative purposes, chose to see up to 3 or more clients at overlapping staggered times, in adjoining rooms).

If you would like to find out whether acupuncture or any other natural treatment therapy offered at Well Being Dublin can help yourself,,a loved one, friend or family member you’re welcome to phone for a no-obligation chat at 087 624 9555 or email [email protected].

The Well Being Dublin clinic does not offer fertility or pregnancy support and works with clients from age 15 and upwards.

Make sure you eat before your treatment. Don’t come on an empty stomach. Having Acupuncture when your hungry can increase the chances of fainting or feeling faint or dizzy. Drink plenty of water that day.

Avoid coffee, caffeine, overeating, and excess sugar before the treatment. This may interrupt your ability to relax.

It is best to avoid vigorous exercise after the treatment. If you need to exercise that day, try to do it beforehand.

Acupuncture starts working from the very first treatment. The effects are cumulative, meaning that they build up with each consequent treatment.

A study by McPherson et al, in 2017, revealed that the effects of acupuncture treatment for chronic pain were present twelve months later!

Leaving too long between treatments means that your body slips right back to where you started, and conversely, having more frequent treatments means that you may reach your goal a whole lot sooner.

During your initial consult, a treatment plan is developed which will outline your optimum treatment frequency.