Acupuncture is one of the longest established forms of healthcare in the world. Acupuncturists at NoYa are trained to use refined diagnostic techniques. The focus of our treatment is on you as an individual, not just your illness, and all symptoms are seen as relevant to each other. Treatment involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points on the body to affect the flow of your body’s Qi, or Vital energy.

Acupuncture needles are small and very thin. They are solid needles, not hollow like needles used by western medicine to inject medicines. Acupuncture needles are not designed to cut the skin, instead when an acupuncture needle is inserted, the round edge pushes the tissue aside without cutting it. At NoYa, we only sterile, single-used and disposable needles in our clinics.

Acupuncturists insert very fine needles at precisely located points. Our practitioners will advise which points are right for you, depending on your symptoms and after a detailed consultation which will take into account your lifestyle and general health. Acupuncture aims to direct the flow of Qi to trigger your body’s healing response and to restore physical, emotional, and mental equilibrium. Treatment is designed to improve your overall health and as well as your specific symptoms. As a result, as the condition being treated improves, you may notice a general improvement of your health and body condition.

According to several research, the results have shown that acupuncture benefits a wide range of common health conditions. Acupuncture can be applied to relieve specific aches and pains, such as osteoarthritis of the knee, headaches and low back pain, or for common health problems like an overactive Bladder. Some people also choose acupuncture to improve their health or when they can feel their bodily functions are out of balance without any obvious diagnosis. Many have regular acupuncture treatments because they find it is beneficial and relaxing.

Acupuncture needles are so fine that most people do not feel them being inserted. It is normal to feel a mild tingle or dull ache as the acupuncturist adjusts the needle to direct Qi. While the needles are in place most people feel deeply relaxed which can continue after they are removed.

Occasionally a small bruise can appear at a needle site. Sometimes people can feel dizzy or tired after a treatment, but this passes quickly.

The average treatment is about 20-30 minutes but can also be as long as 45 minutes. This depends on the problem being treated and the person’s condition and health. Some conditions are improved with one consultation; but often treatments will involve multiple consultation. On average, with weekly consultation, there should be an improvement within 8-12 visits.

Please avoid drinking coffee or consuming a lot of food prior to the acupuncture session. We also advise patients to avoid arriving for an acupuncture treatment feeling hungry or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Your practitioner will consult with you orally and take an extensive case history, covering every aspect of your health, diet and lifestyle before making a diagnosis. This may include asking several questions which may not be related such as your response to changes in the weather, your menstrual cycle (even if the condition you are attending for is not related to your cycle) or how do you usually feel when you sleep at night and your sleeping posture. Your answers will help your practitioner to make a more accurate diagnosis.

Your practitioner will also take your pulse on both wrists and may ask to look at your tongue as both provide valuable information about your constitution and presenting condition.

After making a possible diagnosis your practitioner will decide the appropriate treatment. The treatment might be acupuncture, moxa, herbal medicine or a combination of various Chinese Medicine treatments. Your practitioner may also make recommendations regarding your diet and lifestyle.