In my acupuncture clinics in Brentwood, Chelmsford and Leigh on Sea, I often get asked what acupuncture can treat. Here’s an idea:

Everyday  digestive problems such as acid reflux, nausea, IBS, constipation, diarrhoea  to more complex problems such as Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease. 

Headaches and migraines – NICE, the advisory body to the NHS recommends acupuncture as a treatment method. 

Mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. 

Musculoskeletal problems such as back pain, neck pain, joint pain – again NICE recommends acupuncture for chronic pain. 

Fertility problems for females and males whether it is to conceive naturally or via IVF or similar. An internet search will show how frequently acupuncture is recommended for such issues. 

Women’s health problems such as period pain or menopausal hot flushes or night sweats.

Treatment of the side effects of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery. 

These health areas will be covered in greater detail in subsequent blogs. 

Period pain or menstrual cramps according to various studies affect more than 80% of women. and are cramping pains in the lower abdomen occurring either just before or during menstrual periods.  Discomfort ranges from being annoying or intensely throbbing and painful and can greatly interfere with school, work or social activities.

Standard treatment is over the counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or prescription non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or hormonal birth control pills.

However, not all women wish to take drugs on a regular basis.

Another option is acupuncture treatment. Unlike painkillers it doesn’t just treat the symptoms as they occur, but has an effect to lessen period pain for future cycles.  Research studies have shown that acupuncture can help period pain by significantly reducing the intensity of pain and the length of time for which it is experienced.

In a review published in ‘Medicine Baltimore, 2018: 97 (23) e11007 which included 60 Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT) they stated: ‘Acupuncture might reduce menstrual pain and associated symptoms more effectively compared with no treatment or NSAIDs.’

Derek Climpson has acupuncture clinics in Brentwood, Chelmsford and Leigh on Sea.

This is a common question that I’m asked in my acupuncture clinics in Brentwood, Chelmsford and Leigh on Sea.

According to the news agency Reuters ‘half of adults worldwide suffer from headache disorders such as migraines and tension headaches’ with migraine affecting ‘1 in 6 women and 1 in 12 men ‘ and yet headache disorders are ‘widely under-recognised, under-diagnosed snd under-treated.’

Migraine can be defined as a headache disorder with throbbing head pain, often one sided and with recurring attacks lasting 4-72 hours, sometimes accompanied by nausea or vomiting and sensitivity to light or sound.

Conventional treatment is usually by over the counter or prescribed medication. However the cause is often left untreated and so the headaches/ migraines tend to keep returning.

Following extensive research, NICE ( National Institute for Clinical Excellence) which is the advisory body to the NHS, now recommends Acupuncture for ‘tension headaches and migraines.’

How does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture, which is a holistic therapy developed 2500 years ago in China, is based on the view that health is dependent on a free flow of energy (Qi) around the entire person. When this flow gets interrupted, health problems can develop. Acupuncture, using very fine needles inserted into selected points along energy pathways, aims to bring the patient’s system back into balance and address the root cause of the problem.

Here’s an example of what  patients say:

Migraines

‘I was recommended to try acupuncture by a friend. I have been a sufferer of severe debilitating migraines for 51 years but with acupuncture I now have them under control. The relief I have been given is something I have never known. I now have a life ‘

Tension headaches

‘I used to get a headache each day, sometimes twice a day, and tried medication from the GP and reflexology without success.  Friends suggested I try acupuncture which I did and the headaches decreased to the point that in the last two months,  I am pleased to say, I’ve only had 2 headaches.’

Derek Climpson has acupuncture clinics in Brentwood, Chelmsford and Leigh on sea.

In my acupuncture clinics in Brentwood, Chelmsford and Leigh on Sea, I’m often asked if Traditional Acupuncture  can help with fertility problems.

The answer is yes. Research is increasingly showing that It can be used to improve the chances of conceiving naturally or to boost the chances of IVF success. In the case of IVF, some acupuncturists recommend starting acupuncture 3 months before IVF to optimise the chances of success.

The aim of acupuncture is to improve the balance of the hormones, blood flow to the uterus, egg quality, reduce anxiety/ stress, help with embryo implantation and to decrease the chance of miscarriage.Here’s an example of the experience of one of my patients:

‘Since my teens, I’ve had an irregular menstrual cycle varying from 35-72 days and struggled to conceive . I decided to try acupuncture. Over 4 months , my menstrual cycle become more regular settling around 30 days at which point I fell pregnant’Deb (Nurse)

Derek Climpson runs acupuncture clinics in Brentwood, Chelmsford and Leigh on Sea and is a recommended acupuncturist with the Herts and Essex Fertility Centre.

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammation of the large intestine with symptoms such as pain, diarrhoea/ frequent visits to the toilet, blood and mucus in the stools, tiredness and sometimes weight loss.

Research in the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology (2006 Sept:41(9):1056-63) on the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis patients with acupuncture found that not only did their colitis symptoms significantly improve, but they experienced significant improvements in general wellbeing.

Here are a few test testimonials from UC patients at my acupuncture clinics in Brentwood, Chelmsford and Leigh on Sea:

‘For the past 3 years, I have suffered with UC. Acupuncture has greatly reduced my symptoms of pain and discomfort and frequency of visits to the toilet, so much so that my use of prescribed drugs has already been reduced by 40%.’ – Paula

‘I suffered for 10 years with severe UC with almost constant flare ups. Since I have been going to Acupuncture everyone has noticed my improved health and I rarely have a day off sick which is a big improvement.’ – Lynn

‘Acupuncture is helping to stabilise the colitis I have suffered with for many years with not so much distress and discomfort first thing in the morning.’ – Alice

‘I have suffered with UC for 12 years and flare ups occur particularly in times of stress. Since having acupuncture, I have seen a significant improvement in my UC to the point where I had a recent job interview and did not suffer a flare up – something in the past which would definitely have caused me some uncomfortable symptoms. I would 100% suggest trying acupuncture for anyone with a UC diagnosis.’ – Robyn