Safe treatment

  How does acupuncture feel? Is it safe?        

The risk of adverse events is extremely low, particularly when compared to side-effects of medicines. Acupuncture needles used by Helen Fitch-Hunter Acupuncture are very fine - about the width of two human hairs, and sensations felt by individuals can range from a sharp pain, when the needle is inserted, to subsequent tingling or a dull ache. Acupuncture treatment is not entirely painless but Helen uses a gentle technique and often the session results in the patient fully relaxing.

Can you treat my child? 

Helen Fitch-Hunter has achieved the international certificate in Paediatric Acupuncture at TCM Academy, has observed and supported practitioners in a specialist children’s acupuncture clinic, and knows the differing methods needed for treating children. Even babies can receive gentle treatments, and teenagers can gain excellent health benefits from having acupuncture during puberty.

A 16 year old legally has the right to choose their own health treatment so Helen would be happy to have an initial consultation with any young person to discuss whether treatment may help, and for them to decide if acupuncture is for them. But they would be advised to get their parents’ support beforehand.

I am anxious about needles; shouldn’t I avoid acupuncture if it worries me?

Needling is the major method of reaching acupuncture points but not the only one. Helen Fitch-Hunter is a practitioner of moxibustion and acupuncture, trained to diagnose and treat using the meridians running throughout the body and the relevant points on them. This is the translated meaning of the Chinese word often shortened to “acupuncturist”. She also has completed training in the highly effective non-invasive system of Korean Hand Therapy (KHT). 

Patients who are uncertain about needles can be treated clothed, sitting down, and without standard needling techniques using KHT. Plus Auricular Therapy is another option which uses smaller needles. 

These microsystems of acupuncture meridians in the hands (KHT), and in the outer shell of the ears (Auricular), can be accessed in several other ways: moxibustion (burning adhesive cones on the points, or warming with a small stick of moxa herb); placing of pressure plasters containing discs, seeds or magnets on points; acupressure using a probe or hand roller; or plasters containing a tiny, almost pain-free, press needle on the relevant points.

Helen will assess the suitability of each patient for the most relevant method of treating your symptoms, which is why all patients are asked to have a longer first diagnostic consultation session before they begin treatment. The Korean therapies require precision to treat within a small area but, the treatment of many painful symptoms can often be surprisingly effective for such a minimally invasive method. 

KHT is particularly recommended for the elderly, those with restricted movement, patients who prefer to remain clothed in the treatment room.

Acupuncture in pregnancy?

Helen Fitch-Hunter is fully trained to safely treat pregnant and breastfeeding women and those seeking to get pregnant. The Five Element method of moxibustion and acupuncture is a gentle form which brings benefits holistically without pushing the body too hard with treatment while resolving symptoms - so it could be the best approach for you if you are concerned about acupuncture while pregnant. But Helen Fitch-Hunter Acupuncture does not specialise in women’s health or fertility and can suggest an experienced fellow Hitchin practitioner if you prefer. There are a certain number of points on the channels of qi which would be avoided in the different stages of pregnancy.

Is it safe to use burning moxa herb? 

The herb artemisia vulgaris has been safely used for centuries for its blood-nourishing, releasing health benefits and the ability to warm the points of the body along the channels of qi. Helen generally uses small direct cones of moxa on the skin for a limited number of points in each session. Both smokeless  and traditional strong moxa rolls and adhesive cones are also used to steadily warm some body areas. Studies of harm have shown no side effects of this unique herbal aroma, except a tiny statistical risk change to practitioners constantly working with it over decades. 

“I had a bad experience with acupuncture before - I didn’t know what was happening and it worried me.” 

Helen Fitch-Hunter Acupuncture has been told this on several occasions and knows that this experience will cause anxiety about having acupuncture again. I work in a calm, relaxing manner and explain everything I’m going to do beforehand. I don’t ever leave the room when a patient has needles inserted or I am burning moxa. Five Element treatment is the most gentle form of acupuncture - using a small number of very fine needles at a shallow depth. Helen will always let you know where you have needles in the skin and then inform you when they are taken out.