Acupuncture at The Leigham Practice
The acupuncture team at the Leigham Practice provide a central core service providing their own specialist services in addition to supporting our multidisciplinary practitioners. Lora MacFarlane and Susana Pires have full membership of the British Acupuncture Council and their scope of practice and experience is extensive, having worked at the Zita West Clinic, one of Europe's leading acupuncture fertility support clinics, and the Gateway Clinic, one of the few NHS centres of acupuncture and research in the UK. Their details can be found lower on this page.
A full spectrum of acupuncture treatments are provided at the practice together with several specialist medical support services for people with chronic or painful conditions, for assistance with fertility, for help during pregnancy and for female health matters. In addition they also provide expert acupuncture support to our team of podiatrists, osteopath and physiotherapists, treating a wide variety of musculo-skeletal problems. Acupuncture's stimulation of collagen formation and effect on the circulation is also used as a safe alternative to surgery or botulinum injection in Facial Rejuvenation. We have specific leaflets available on our acupuncture services by following the links on the left.
Acupuncture Philosophy
Generally, acupuncture is an ancient system of healing that has been practiced in China for thousands of years. According to traditional Chinese philosophy, health is dependent on the free flow of energy (Qi), through specific pathways in the body. This free flow can easily be disrupted, and when this happens illness may result. By applying acupuncture to specific points of the body, the flow of Qi may be manipulated and balance restored. In the last ten years there has been an overwhelming amount of western medical research produced which shows acupuncture to be of benefit in a diverse range of common problems. It seems to stimulate the nervous system to bring about significant changes in body biochemistry.
From skin conditions through to chronic disease, acupuncture is considered as a safe and natural treatment that can improve or resolve a wide range of health problems. At the Leigham Practice acupuncture aims to reduce the need for medication as much as possible and provide lasting long-term effects. If you would like any further information or have a specific enquiry please email Us and we look forward to being of help to you in future.
What will an acupuncture session be like?
In the first consultation your acupuncturist will take a thorough case history in order to assess your general state of health. At this time they will also examine the tongue and take pulses in several different places on both wrists. The information gathered will then be used to devise a treatment plan, choosing a combination of acupuncture points suitable for your needs. Your acupuncturist may discuss the use of other techniques of Chinese medicine, such as cupping, moxibustion and massage, together with a more general discussion on dietary and life-style affects on health.
Our acupuncture team also have a broad range of skills, drawing on other therapies if they feel this may be of benefit, and may therefore incorporate other techniques into their treatments.
Most people find the experience of receiving acupuncture to be both relaxing and invigorating, with very little discomfort involved at all. Acupuncture needles are quite different from needles used for blood tests or injections. They are very fine and are solid as opposed to being hollow. The feeling when a needle is inserted is often described as a slight tingling sensation or a dull ache.
Once the needles have been inserted they can be left for anything up to 30 minutes depending on the effect required. Many patients experience a state of deep relaxation during this part of the treatment.
How many treatments will I need?
Like all medical disciplines, this question is not possible to answer as it depends how any individual responds to treatment. However, what is possible to say is that you will know very quickly how much benefit you are getting from your treatment because you will feel it.
Our acupuncture team aim to help restore balance and improve health as quickly as possible, with most patients requiring only a few treatments to help improve their conditions. Our team also look to obtain long-term benefits in their treatments and once a level of health has been reached that is acceptable, acupuncture is no longer required.
Highest Standards
Our acupuncturist works strictly to the standards of the British Acupuncture Council to ensure the protection of our clients.
We use the highest quality of sterile, single use, disposable acupuncture needles from market leaders and the practice uses autoclaves, the gold standard of sterilisation, to ensure sterility of cupping equipment.
The Leigham Practice is a multi-disciplinary medical practice and we comply to the highest standards of health. Please contact us if you require any further information regarding any aspect of our practice.
The Acupuncture Team
Susana Pires, MBAcC
Having developed skills in a wide range of holistic therapies, including naturopathy to degree level, and elements of herbal medicine, osteopathy and massage, Susana was drawn to specialise in Acupuncture having seen how an evidence-based holistic approach to health and well-being can be used for a wide variety of problems and conditions in a natural way.
At the Leigham Practice Susana offers classic Chinese acupuncture treatments for a broad range of conditions. Her areas of expertise are fertility, gynecological disorders, and she has a keen interest in the treatment of people with chronic health problems and long term conditions.
Susana has undertaken further studies in ear acupuncture which she uses to help treat addictions such as smoking, food and alcohol and also to help with conditions such as depression, stress and stress-related conditions. She also works a the Gateway Clinic, a major UK center of acupuncture research and attends our practice on Wednesdays.
Lora MacFarlane BSc(Hons), MBAcC, LCSP
Having qualified in traditional Chinese medicine with honours, Lora MacFarlane is and an experienced member of the British Acupuncture Council who treats a wide variety of common conditions. In particular she treats chronic pain (including back pain, sciatica, headaches and migraine), digestive problems (including IBS and IBD), autoimmune conditions (including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis) and stress-related conditions (including depression and sleeping disorders).
One of Lora’s special interest in treating fertility and pregnancy support and spends her time at several practices, including the internationally recognised Zita West Clinic. She uses acupuncture to regulate cycles, enhance fertility and has valuable experience supporting couples through assisted reproductive IVF cycles as well as optimising preconception health naturally.
Post-graduate qualifications in oriental massage and reflexology allow Lora to incorporate a variety of techniques where these would help to enhance her treatments, providing a unique treatment. Lora attends the Leigham Practice on Saturdays.
Both Lora MacFarlane and Susana Pires are full members of the British Acupuncture Council
The British Acupuncture Council,
63 Jeddo Road,
London W12 9HQ.
www.acupuncture.org.uk
8 Leigham Hall Parade, Streatham High Road, SW16 1DR
Tel: 020 8769 7409
