Keeping you safe

You can rely on Leigham Practice to keep people safe, as we were one of the few businesses to remain open throughout the initial lockdown. We continued to offer our services and support for patients when there was nowhere else to turn to. We’ve developed into a more confident, more safe and better prepared practice that will continue to be here when you need us.

Information for visiting us

• When you make an appointment with us, please check your appointment time carefully, as we stagger appointments to avoid people mixing.
• Please keep to your appointment time as closely as possible. We may not admit you if you are more than a few minutes early as we need to keep people apart.
• You must wear a mask unless you are exempt.
• Please come alone if possible. A child may accompany you, or you may accompany a child, or you may need to bring someone for special help. We will not allow friends or family members to wait for you in reception.
• We will measure your forehead temperature using a no-touch thermometer.
• We will ask you to sanitise your hands.
• We will ask you to pay when you arrive so you can leave immediately after your appointment.

Even though we cannot admit you too early, please try to arrive to the area early, particularly if it’s your first time to the practice or you are unfamiliar with the area in terms of transport and parking.

We included a link to our Practice Registration Form in your appointment confirmation email for you to print and complete, or you can complete this when you attend.

What to wear?

Acupuncture points run throughout the body and we use a combination of points for unique problems, many of which are distant from where your actual problem may seem to be. It’s helpful to wear loose clothes to your first appointment so our team can access points easily.

Try to arrive early

This is important if it’s your first time to the practice, or you are unfamiliar with the area in terms of transport and parking.

We’re on the main road directly opposite the junction of Streatham High Road with Mount Ephraim Road, which is an unmetered road and a good place to park if travelling by car.  We’re very close to Mount Ephraim Road (request) bus stop, or a few minutes’ walk from Streatham Hill mainline train station.

If you haven’t printed and completed the Practice Registration Form by following the link on your appointment confirmation email, you’ll fill this in when you attend. You can also have a glass of water, refresh yourself, or just relax ahead of your appointment.

Continue your medication as directed

Although we aim to improve your health and reduce your medication, if possible, you should not stop taking prescribed medication given by your doctor or consultant. If we help a problem, and see excellent progress in your condition, we may ask your permission to communicate with your GP to discuss lowering your medication.  Until such time, please continue to take medication as directed by your medical team and discuss your problems with us at your appointment.

Will treatment be painful?

Almost always the answer is ‘No’. Most people describe acupuncture as painless or, at worst, like a dull ache. Acupuncture needles are not hollow, like those for local analgaesic injections, or taking blood, and so it is uncommon to experience pain.

Still worried about needles?

Although high equipment costs prohibit the use of Low Level Laser Therapy, at Leigham Practice we have never stopped investing in evidence-based treatments to improve outcomes for our clients. This is a medical treatment using small amounts of infra-red light without pain or side effects and can be used directly to speed up healing and repair, or as a needleless form of acupuncture. If you would like to find out if laser acupuncture can help your problem, please just make this known when you book and we can make sure this treatment is available for your appointment.

Is there anything I should or shouldn’t do?

For the Do’s

• Book a convenient appointment that you can keep
• Aim to arrive in plenty of time
• Think about things that have happened to you in the past (both health and life events) that might be of significance
• Bring with you any scans or reports and a list of any medication
• Wear loose clothes as acupuncture often treats areas distant from where the fundamental problem is located
• Have something light to eat before you attend, though you shouldn’t be full. If you are on an empty stomach, your body will already experience stress.
• Have a glass of water when you arrive, refresh yourself and relax
• Turn off your phone when you arrive so you won’t be disturbed

For the Don’ts

• Avoid caffeine or alcohol for a few hours before your appointment
• Avoid eating a heavy meal or spicy food just before you attend.

Your assessment

At your first consultation, it will take a thorough history to assess your general state of health. Your tongue is examined and we take pulses in several places on both wrists. We will devise a treatment plan choosing a combination of acupuncture points suitable for your needs. Our acupuncture team have many other skills and may discuss the use of other techniques such as cupping, moxibustion and massage, together with a more general discussion on dietary and life-style effects on health.

Your treatment

Most people find the experience of receiving acupuncture to be both deeply relaxing and invigorating. We may use music or lighting to enhance your experience. Following treatment, any needles will be painlessly removed.

Further treatment

Following your treatment our team can discuss with you the ways forward and be able to give you a good idea of how many treatments they think you may need to help your problem. Our aim is to treat you safely and effectively, as quickly as possible, and you will measure your own response as you improve and get better.