The treatment involves inserting incredibly fine needles into specific points on the body to restore the flow of Qi – your body’s energy – and re-establish the body’s balance. The idea of the needles can be off-putting for those who haven’t had acupuncture before, though there isn’t anything to be concerned about. People often report a slight tingling sensation or dull ache at the site where the needles are located, but the treatment isn’t painful.

In some cases, it’s necessary to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment beyond the use of needles alone. We do this through moxibustion (burning herbs on the needles), electro-acupuncture (stimulating the needles with gentle electrical currents) and cupping (placing suction cups over the needles).