Buckinghamshire, HP5 1EB
Tel: 01494 792 143
The Shop
Why not treat yourself to an Acupuncture and Tui Na session in our relaxing Treatment Room.
We stock many different types of herbal products: oils, balms, creams, pills and teas.
Many of our products are available without a consultation, we are always happy to advise you.
Feel free to come in and browse!
The shop is open Monday to Friday 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, and 09:30 am to 01:30 pm on Saturday.
Herbs As Food
We can recommend a selection of herbs to prepare as a soup, perfect for keeping away the winter chill colds and flu. Visit us in our shop and we'll tell you the secret recipe!
It seems an obvious fact, but our health is very much dependent on the quality of our food.
The over-consumption of alcohol, sugar, animal fats, preservatives, trans-fatty acids, refined carbohydrates and caffeine leads to a build up of toxins in our body which cause many adverse effects.
For optimum health try to get daily natural sugars and vitamins from fruit and vegetables, not fizzy drinks or sweets. We recommend a balanced diet of eating vegetables every day, more fish and less red meat.
Prices
Consultation Price: £15 to £30.
Acupuncture, £55.00 per session.
Facial Acupuncture £65 per session.
Pay for 5 sessions ahead and get 1 extra free.
Individually prepared Herbal mixtures from £8 per bag.
Hot-Cupping: £40 per treatment.
Teas, creams and pills: Various.
Discounts for OAP and NUS (5% off).
Cancellations: A Fee may be charged if an appointment is broken or cancelled without 24 hours notice.
Top 10 most Frequently Asked Questions
This section is designed to answer some of the questions that you might have in connection with The Healing Point, Acupuncture and other forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
If you don't find what you are looking for or have a specific question please contact us directly via e-mail or call us on 01494 792 143.
Below are ten of the most frequently asked questions by clients new to Chinese Medicine:
1. What is Chinese Medicine and how does it work?
2. What conditions does Traditional Chinese Medicine treat?
3. How does Chinese Medicine differ from Western Medicine: are they compatible?
4. Does Chinese Medicine really work?
5. Is it safe, will it hurt?
6. What does a consultation involve?
7. What is treatment like?
8. How many treatments will I need?
9. How Do I prepare for and get the most out of the treatment?
10. How do I prepare the Herbal Medicine?
1. What is Chinese Medicine and how does it work?
Traditional Chinese Medicine has existed for over 5000 years; it is the oldest, safest and most natural system of medical care in the world.
The essential theory is that there are energy channels of Qi (pronounced "chee") flowing through the body that need to be kept clear and moving to stay healthy.
"Qi" is a chinese word meaning "living energy" Every living thing has Qi, cells grow, blood circulates, nourishment occurs and oxygen moves around the body because of Qi.
When people feel weak, tired or become ill this means that Qi has become blocked (stagnant) or is deficient (lacking). Chinese Medicine uses specific techniques to unblock these channels and increase the level of Qi where it's needed.
Traditional Chinese Medicine uses three related treatments-
Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, and Tui Na:
ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine sterilised needles into specific acupoints on the body. These Acupoints are on so-called Meridians, these are channels or pathways that carry the life force "Qi" There are 12 Meridians connecting to organs in the body and form a network that covers the whole body.
When the needle is placed on an acupuncture point there can be a slight tingling sensation. This sensation lasts only for a few seconds and the patient soon feels deeply relaxed.
The stimulating effects of acupuncture inspire our own healing responses, and is effective for a wide range of conditions: physical, psychological, mental, emotional, acute and chronic.
It is particularly effective at reducing stress-related disorders, which are the root cause of all diseases.
HERBAL MEDICINE
At The Healing Point we use over 400 different types of herbs from which we prescribe your own individual remedy. The leaves, fruit and seeds of many hundreds of plants are used, each herb has its own complex combination of vitamins and nutrients. They promote health and keep the body and its vital organs in good working order and also strengthen the immune system. The herbs are chosen by the doctors according to their diagnosis, these are taken either as raw tea, tea bags, granules, vials or pills.
TUI NA AND MASSAGE
This medical form of massage uses firm rolling movements, finger pressure, stretching and leverage to stimulate meridians and acupuncture points.
It is an invigorating treatment, not relaxing like a Swedish Massage, and it is effective for muscular-skeletal problems and also deeper, internal dysfunctions.
Tui Na is an ideal treatment for those who do not like needles. Other treatments available include Hot Cupping and non-needle acupuncture.
HOT CUPPING
Popular with A-list celebrities, this treatment involves using glass cups on parts of the body to help eliminate toxins, aids the body for pain relief on the back and shoulder area, and greatly improves blood circulation in that area.
It is an excellent stimulus for blood and energy (Qi) and helps to clear any stagnation in muscles and joints that manifest as pain as well as drawing out colds from the body.
It has a profoundly positive effect on many conditions and leaves the patient relaxed and energised.
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2. What conditions does TCM treat?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) lists over 180 conditions that TCM has a proven effectiveness in treating. These include:
Muscular-skeletal: Muscle pain and weakness, Muscle cramping, Sciatica, Arthritis, Backache or pain, Disc problems, etc.
Neurological: Headache, Migraine, Postoperative pain, Stroke residuals, Parkinson's disease,Bladder dysfunction, etc.
Digestive: Abdominal pain, Hyperacidity, Cholecystitis, Chronic diarrhoea, Indigestion, Gastro-enteritis, Constipation, Gastroptosis, etc.
Respiratory: Sinusitis, Asthma , Common cold, Tonsillitis , Bronchitis, etc.
Motor system: Periarteritis of shoulder , Cervical spondylopathy , Torticollis , Lumbar muscle sprain, etc.
Eye, Ear, Dental: Poor vision, central retinitis, Cataract, Tinnitus, Nervous deafness, Post-extraction pain, Gum problems, etc.
Dermatologic: Acne, Alopecia, Eczema, Lupus erythematosis, Mycosis, Ringworm, Vitiligo, etc.
Emotional: Insomnia, Depression, Anxiety, Nervousness, Neurosis, etc.
Mens' diseases: Impotence, Infertility, Prostate, Testicular diseases, etc.
Childrens' diseases: Infantile diarrhoea , Constipation, Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Bed wetting, Fever, Common cold, Cough, Night crying, Asthma, Eczema, etc.
Womens' diseases: Absence of Menses, Hot Flushes, Cystitis Discharge, PMT, Excessive Bleeding, Miscarriage, Infertility, Irregular Menses, Morning Sickness, Mastitis, Menopausal Symptoms, Painful Menses, Uterine Prolapse, etc.
Other benefits: Non-surgical facelift, Increased vitality and energy, Alcohol or drug addictions, Immune system tonification, Regulated blood pressure, Stop smoking, Stress reduction, Weight control, Deep relaxation, Cancer support, etc.
These are just examples. If your condition is not listed here or you are unsure whether Acupuncture is the right treatment for you please do not hesitate to Contact Us.
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3. How Does Chinese Medicine differ from Western Medicine, and are they compatible?
Western and Chinese medicine are usually very complementary to each other, as each often provides what the other is lacking.
Surgery is sometimes essential for life-threatening conditions, for example.
However, the reason Chinese herbal medicine is so popular is because it is simply gentler and safer than chemical medications.
Herbal medicine can strengthen the body's immune system while antibiotics weaken the system. Chinese herbs are often taken to reduce the side effects of other medication.
In China, acupuncture was viewed as a preventative medicine and even people in good health tended to visit their practitioner at the change of seasons, as that is a time when we are particularly susceptible to illness.
The fundamental difference is that Chinese Medicine bases its understanding on an energetic model that provides an insight to the person's body, mind, and spirit. This is called a holistic understanding.
Illness manifests itself in one organ channel then often causes imbalances elsewhere. These energetic imbalances are what TCM aims to treat. Diagnosing a patient's overall health to find the cause of illness, and treat the problem from the source as opposed to targeting isolated symptoms, which can vary from person to person.
All disease is believed to stem from three causes - Internal (emotional factors), External (climatic conditions), and Circumstantial (injury, diet, exercise, and our constitution).
TCM's holistic approach often contrasts with Western medicine, which commonly treats multiple symptoms in isolation from one another. Conventional Western theory uses a biochemical model of medicine, which concentrates on individual parts of the body and can cause knock-on effects.
In contrast, Chinese Medicine is a subtle, pain free and relaxing treatment that can improve health and well-being dramatically and often successfully treats conditions not or insufficiently helped by Western medicine.
China now boasts the most most advanced healthcare system in the world. In the last hundred years, Traditional Chinese Medicine has integrated Western scientific Medicine and it is normal to see surgeons, radiologists, herbalists and acupuncturists in China working together in the same hospitals, all have rigourous training in both Chinese and Western Medicine, Anatomy and Physiology.
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4. Does it really work? Yes. Sceptics as well as proponents both point out that "Meridians" and "Qi" are unmeasurable by current scientific instruments, so it is difficult to prove from a scientific point of view if and how acupuncture works. Despite this, empirical data based on 3,000 years of satisfied patients as well as a number of clinical trials with positive outcomes for conditions like migraine, infertility and back pain prove that Chinese Medicine works. In fact, The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published lists of Acupuncture trials and conditions that can be treated with Acupuncture.
Please also read Testimonials from some of our own customers.
According to the WHO, Acupuncture has been proven effective in relieving postoperative pain, nausea during pregnancy, nausea and vomiting resulting from chemotherapy, and dental pain with extremely low side effects. It has a long clinical history of treating acute and chronic conditions and often excels in treating conditions that Western medicine has difficulty in treating, as well as conditions that often go undiagnosed in Western medicine, such as Chronic fatigue and IBS. It can also alleviate anxiety, panic disorders and insomnia. TCM can also have impact on infectious diseases.
For example, the Chinese herbal remedy Artemisia annua, used in China for almost 2000 years has been found to be effective against resistant malaria and could create a breakthrough in preventing almost one million deaths annually, most of them children, from severe malaria.
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5. Is it safe and will it hurt?
Chinese Medicine, Herbs and Acupuncture are some of the safest forms of medicine.
Our doctor, Qu Yu, has had 5 years of training in Chinese and Western medicine at Nanjing University, and over 10 years experience altogether in Chinese hospitals and clinics here in the UK.
Adhering to a strict code of ethics, safety and hygiene set by the Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ATCM), all acupuncture needles used are 100% sterilised surgical steel, used once and disposed of safely. They do not cut and tear at the skin like hypodermic needles that are used for injections, often patients don?t even notice the needles going in. Acupuncture needles are designed to part the skin and in 99% of cases the treatment is completely pain-free. If the other 1% worries you, any slight pain lasts about a second.
During the treatment you may experience a dull ache, a tingling or a feeling of warmth as the needles connect with your Qi.
Acupuncture treatment is actually an incredibly pleasant and relaxing experience. Most people find Acupuncture leaves them energised and feeling good.
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6. What does a consultation involve?
When you first contact us, you'll be offered a free 15 minute Consultation with our highly experienced Chinese Doctor. This is to find out as much as possible about you, your body and emotional state, and how we can help you.
We will then offer you a course of treatment, or recommend a full consultation to diagnose the problem further.
A full consultation can take 30 minutes to 1 hour, and involves a more in-depth diagnosis.
We use a holistic diagnosis to put together an overall picture in terms of your lifestyle, diet, medical history, work, emotional states, etc. in order to build up a complete, holistic picture of your health, thus enabling a course of treatment that is individually designed for you and your unique constitution and find the root cause of the problem.
Our TCM doctor can distinguish and interpret over 100 different pulse rates relating to six internal organs, as well as read the tongue and complexion of the face to reveal the condition of the organs and overall state of health.
As a full consultation involves more time, there is usually a small fee for this service.
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7. What is treatment like?
After a full consultation has been given this usually enables the doctor to find out how you can be helped. A Treatment Plan will be agreed upon and this usually involves a combination of any or all of the following: Acupuncture, Tui Na, Hot Cupping, and Herbal Medicine.
The first session lasts about 1 hour, lying fully clothed on a treatment bed. The needles are placed at specific points, and you will be be instructed to stay still, relaxed and calm, you may even sleep for the duration.
Acupuncture is most effective when the body is relaxed, which allows for a deeper and more focused connection to your body's healing system.
After your first treatment you may be prescribed a course of herbal medicine, to be taken as a tea or skin wash. The tea is boiled as instructed and will usually, though not always, taste unpleasant. Instructions on how to prepare your herbs can be found here.
Traditional Chinese medicines and acupuncture work quite differently than western medicines. They are gentle yet powerful, work deep from the root of the body up to the surface.
Herbal Medicines usually take time to work, if the course is followed as instructed you will see and more importantly feel lasting results.
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8. How many treatments will I need?
Healing is very much about the individual, so it's impossible to say before treatment how long it will take with any one patient. Some chronic conditions may take a minimum of ten treatments.
Acupuncture is a highly individual form of therapy. It is not an instant miracle cure, and can sometimes take a few sessions before any substantial improvement becomes obvious.
During the consultation our doctor will provide you with a diagnosis and an estimate the length of treatment necessary for you.
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9. How Do I prepare for and get the most out of the treatment?
It is often helpful to assist the Acupuncture treatment with dietary measures, lifestyle adjustments, regular exercise etc.
In order to achieve the best possible results from your treatment, please try to stick to the following guidelines:
- Wear loose comfortable clothing.
- Avoid alcohol for at least 12 hours before and after treatment.
- Avoid heavy meals 90 min before and after a treatment.
- Avoid any physically or mentally exhausting activities before and particularly after a treatment, ideally you should have a chance to rest.
- Do not wear make up when coming for a treatment (especially important when coming for Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture).
- If you are taking any regular medication please make sure you know the name and dosage when you come for your first treatment. Also bring any medical records: Charts, X-Rays etc. if you have them.
Coming for a course of treatment requires your participation to fully benefit. You should be prepared to take responsibility for your own health, to look at your lifestyle and be ready to make changes so that the benefits of treatment can last longer and your recovery can continue.
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10. How do I prepare the Herbs?
Preparing Your Herbs:
Read these instructions before boiling the herbs.
Please use a stainless steel, glass or non-stick pan.
1) Empty a bag of herbs into a deep pan and add between 500 ml to 750 ml of cold water for Tea, 750 ml to a Litre of cold water for Skin Wash.
2) Leave the herbs soaking in the cold water for 30 minutes.
3) Bring the water to the boil, then simmer for about 30 minutes, with the lid partially on.
4) Strain off the liquid off, there should be enough to fill a large mug or pint glass.
Then do as follows:
Internal Decoction (Tea)
Drink the tea while it is warm. Just remember: "The more bitter the taste, the better the medicine," - but you can add honey if you wish!
External Decoction (Skin Wash)
Leave liquid to cool slightly until warm.
Soak a facecloth or towel, then wash or cover the affected area for 5 to 10 minutes, once or twice a day as advised.
Cover the herbs, they can usually be used once more unless your doctor advises otherwise.
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