FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is consultation necessary for me and does it differ from western medicine consultations I have had in the past?
Consultation is highly recommended for customers whose symptoms have failed to be treated effectively before by other doctors, or who developed certain conditions and like to visit the doctor for the first time.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on the person as a whole. We do not simply ask you questions or test the body part where your pain lies. Our doctor will observe your complexion, tongue, pulse, posture and build in order to establish a thorough and proper diagnosis of your body balance before devising a tailored treatment plan for you.
Are there any risks involved in taking Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Chinese herbs are very safe when prescribed correctly by a properly trained practitioner. Adverse reactions can occur with any form of medicine. In the case of Chinese herbal medicine these are rare and usually occur due to inadequate training by the practitioner, bad practice or poor herbal medicine processing controls.
Our doctors are both practitioner members of the Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ATCM), the largest professional self-regulatory body for TCM in the UK . All members of the ATCM must abide by strict Codes of Practice and Professional Conduct with ensure the highest professional standards of hygiene, sterilisation and safety in the practice of TCM. China Naturally prescribes authentic Chinese herbal medicine that has been quality-assured by using only ATCM approved suppliers who must fulfil rigorous criteria following a thorough investigation by independent auditors. This is very important in protecting public safety and to ensure that patients receive the best quality Chinese herbs available.
Sterile and nontoxic needles are; they are all for single use hence there is no contamination caused by acupuncture.
Are there any side effects associated with Chinese Medicine treatment?
Some people expect herbs to act in the same way as pharmaceuticals. They believe that if there is a beneficial healing effect, there must also be side-effects. Conversely, if there are no side-effects, then there can be no healing effect. This expectation makes sense in pharmaceutical medicine where you treat with just one active ingredient at a time. But, Chinese herbal formulas make use of a combination of herbs, which have no harmful side effects. There are hardly ever any stories in the newspaper about poisoning caused by herbal prescriptions, and, if so, they are about practitioners who are not familiar with TCM. A good TCM practitioner with a profound knowledge of the basic TCM theories and an extensive clinical experience is familiar with all the characteristics and the use of each herb and, in this way, the practitioner is able to avoid the use of herbs that have side effects or to improve the therapeutic effects and reduce the side effects to zero by mixing specific herbs.
Diet – Will I be instructed on what foods to avoid?
Yes, we will instruct you in regards to food. Diet and lifestyle are always important and play a large role in treating most conditions. Chinese Medicine / Acupuncture treatment combined with change in diet and lifestyle is much more effective than if there was only Chinese medicine/Acupuncture treatment prescribed to a patient.
Length of Treatment – How long do I need to be treated by Chinese Medicine/ Acupuncture?
Depending on the patient’s needs, and whether the patient’s condition is acute or chronic determines the length of the treatment. An acute condition may need only one treatment where as a chronic condition may need more time. A younger person will usually respond quicker to treatment where as an older person may take longer to respond. There are always exceptions to this rule as everyone’s body is individual. Some people respond very fast only after one treatment.
If treatment is combined with dietary advice and lifestyle change (if needed) then treatment will be accelerated.
Acupuncture – What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the insertion of fine hair like needles at specific points on the body. The patient will usually feel a sensation of lightness, dull heaviness, & or warmth in the diseased & problematic area needing treatment. A relaxed sensation of sleepiness will usually follow after the needles are inserted.
Acupuncture – Are disposable needles used?Our clinic only uses high quality disposable needles. Once a needle is removed from a patient it is disposed of immediately & never used again.
Acupuncture – does it hurt?
Acupuncture does not hurt. Acupuncture is a gentle and healing treatment. Most patients find the treatments very relaxing, some even fall asleep during treatment.
Acupuncture – Is it safe?Yes, acupuncture is very safe. Only single-use sterilized acupuncture needles are used by our doctors, they are then properly disposed of as bio-hazard medical waste.
Can I have acupuncture if I am pregnant?
Of course. Indeed, acupuncture can be very helpful for a number of the complications that are associated with pregnancy. Women who have habitual mis-carriages can benefit from acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine during pregnancy. Acupuncture is also good for morning sickness, lower back pain, correction of malposition of fetus, and for those interested, it can help with delivery.
Herbs – How do I take the herbs?The herbs can be either taken in pill form, powder form mixed with water, or in raw form which needs to be cooked. Cooking and dosage depends on each patient’s particular condition. It is advisable not to use a cast-iron pan to cook the raw herbs. Suitable pans are those made of stainless steel, aluminium, enamel, or stoneware.
Ongoing treatment – Will I need to be treated continually for ever?
No, you will not need to be treated forever. Most patients find some form of relief after 1 acupuncture treatment or after about 1 week of taking Chinese herbal medicine.
Will I need to return regularly?
Most people are happy enough after a course of treatment not to return again as their symptoms are no longer present. Though some need to return regularly every few months for a check up as their condition may be more chronic.
What is the difference between Acupuncture and Acupressure?
Both are effective and based upon the same philosophy. Acupuncture has a more powerful effect on pain, stimulating nerve tissue and causing biochemical changes, while acupressure is more effective at relaxing the entire musculoskeletal system.
Do you use animal products?
No. Animal products are strictly against the Code of Ethics of the Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ATCM). Many plant species are able to replace the actions of animal products and China Naturally firmly believes that it is unnecessary to use animal products in traditional Chinese medicine.
Is consultation necessary for me and does it differ from western medicine consultations I have had in the past?
Consultation is highly recommended for customers whose symptoms have failed to be treated effectively before by other doctors, or who developed certain conditions and like to visit the doctor for the first time.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on the person as a whole. We do not simply ask you questions or test the body part where your pain lies. Our doctor will observe your complexion, tongue, pulse, posture and build in order to establish a thorough and proper diagnosis of your body balance before devising a tailored treatment plan for you.
Are there any risks involved in taking Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Chinese herbs are very safe when prescribed correctly by a properly trained practitioner. Adverse reactions can occur with any form of medicine. In the case of Chinese herbal medicine these are rare and usually occur due to inadequate training by the practitioner, bad practice or poor herbal medicine processing controls.
Our doctors are both practitioner members of the Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ATCM), the largest professional self-regulatory body for TCM in the UK . All members of the ATCM must abide by strict Codes of Practice and Professional Conduct with ensure the highest professional standards of hygiene, sterilisation and safety in the practice of TCM. China Naturally prescribes authentic Chinese herbal medicine that has been quality-assured by using only ATCM approved suppliers who must fulfil rigorous criteria following a thorough investigation by independent auditors. This is very important in protecting public safety and to ensure that patients receive the best quality Chinese herbs available.
Sterile and nontoxic needles are; they are all for single use hence there is no contamination caused by acupuncture.
Are there any side effects associated with Chinese Medicine treatment?
Some people expect herbs to act in the same way as pharmaceuticals. They believe that if there is a beneficial healing effect, there must also be side-effects. Conversely, if there are no side-effects, then there can be no healing effect. This expectation makes sense in pharmaceutical medicine where you treat with just one active ingredient at a time. But, Chinese herbal formulas make use of a combination of herbs, which have no harmful side effects. There are hardly ever any stories in the newspaper about poisoning caused by herbal prescriptions, and, if so, they are about practitioners who are not familiar with TCM. A good TCM practitioner with a profound knowledge of the basic TCM theories and an extensive clinical experience is familiar with all the characteristics and the use of each herb and, in this way, the practitioner is able to avoid the use of herbs that have side effects or to improve the therapeutic effects and reduce the side effects to zero by mixing specific herbs.
Diet – Will I be instructed on what foods to avoid?
Yes, we will instruct you in regards to food. Diet and lifestyle are always important and play a large role in treating most conditions. Chinese Medicine / Acupuncture treatment combined with change in diet and lifestyle is much more effective than if there was only Chinese medicine/Acupuncture treatment prescribed to a patient.
Length of Treatment – How long do I need to be treated by Chinese Medicine/ Acupuncture?
Depending on the patient’s needs, and whether the patient’s condition is acute or chronic determines the length of the treatment. An acute condition may need only one treatment where as a chronic condition may need more time. A younger person will usually respond quicker to treatment where as an older person may take longer to respond. There are always exceptions to this rule as everyone’s body is individual. Some people respond very fast only after one treatment.
If treatment is combined with dietary advice and lifestyle change (if needed) then treatment will be accelerated.
Acupuncture – What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the insertion of fine hair like needles at specific points on the body. The patient will usually feel a sensation of lightness, dull heaviness, & or warmth in the diseased & problematic area needing treatment. A relaxed sensation of sleepiness will usually follow after the needles are inserted.
Acupuncture – Are disposable needles used?Our clinic only uses high quality disposable needles. Once a needle is removed from a patient it is disposed of immediately & never used again.
Acupuncture – does it hurt?
Acupuncture does not hurt. Acupuncture is a gentle and healing treatment. Most patients find the treatments very relaxing, some even fall asleep during treatment.
Acupuncture – Is it safe?Yes, acupuncture is very safe. Only single-use sterilized acupuncture needles are used by our doctors, they are then properly disposed of as bio-hazard medical waste.
Can I have acupuncture if I am pregnant?
Of course. Indeed, acupuncture can be very helpful for a number of the complications that are associated with pregnancy. Women who have habitual mis-carriages can benefit from acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine during pregnancy. Acupuncture is also good for morning sickness, lower back pain, correction of malposition of fetus, and for those interested, it can help with delivery.
Herbs – How do I take the herbs?The herbs can be either taken in pill form, powder form mixed with water, or in raw form which needs to be cooked. Cooking and dosage depends on each patient’s particular condition. It is advisable not to use a cast-iron pan to cook the raw herbs. Suitable pans are those made of stainless steel, aluminium, enamel, or stoneware.
Ongoing treatment – Will I need to be treated continually for ever?
No, you will not need to be treated forever. Most patients find some form of relief after 1 acupuncture treatment or after about 1 week of taking Chinese herbal medicine.
Will I need to return regularly?
Most people are happy enough after a course of treatment not to return again as their symptoms are no longer present. Though some need to return regularly every few months for a check up as their condition may be more chronic.
What is the difference between Acupuncture and Acupressure?
Both are effective and based upon the same philosophy. Acupuncture has a more powerful effect on pain, stimulating nerve tissue and causing biochemical changes, while acupressure is more effective at relaxing the entire musculoskeletal system.
Do you use animal products?
No. Animal products are strictly against the Code of Ethics of the Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ATCM). Many plant species are able to replace the actions of animal products and China Naturally firmly believes that it is unnecessary to use animal products in traditional Chinese medicine.