FAQ
  • Can acupuncture help me?

This is a common question for someone who never got acupuncture previously. You might be a little doubtful about its effectivity, or afraid of needles (please see below the question: Do acupuncture needles hurt?), or you still don't feel ready for any reason whatsoever.

The ancient idea of acupuncture was to able to cure any type of condition no matter the cause. It's known that the disease is the consequence of the chronic unbalance of the human body. Once the body is rebalanced, signs and symptoms dispel. 

The best advice, if you are at all unsure about the best way to proceed, is to see if a Licensed Acupuncturist local to you is happy to give up a little time without charge to offer a face to face assessment of what acupuncture treatment may be able to do. Each patient is unique and different, and there may be evidence which on a brief examination may point you more clearly towards, or away from, treatment.

Feel free to reach out to our team without charge for any doubt of what acupuncture can do for you. Phone us now at 089 400 5106 or email us at info@acurodos.ie.
  • Your first consultation:
Prior to your initial consultation you will be asked to complete an in depth questionnaire, which will be analysed before your initial consultation.

In this medicine any disorder or symptom must be contemplated in the context of the individual taken as a whole. Therefore you will be asked questions about your current symptoms and your medical history. You may feel that some questions appear unrelated to your presenting symptoms, but all this information helps to create a thorough understanding of your condition.  I will ask you about a wide variety of topics, such as your sleep or elimination patterns, your digestion and emotional state, your gynecological characteristics (if you are a woman), etc.
Your pulse and tongue may be examined and areas of muscular pain or tension palpated. If you are taking any medication you should mention on the first visit.
All the information provided will be kept strictly confidential .

  • What conditions can be treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Acupuncture is used to treat many different diseases, disorders and pain conditions. When we're talking about Chinese Medicine, it's important to make clear that we don't refer to diseases as we know them but syndromes. These syndromes are the consequence of unbalance factors within the body that cause the disease. 
Back in 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) released an official report on the effectiveness of acupuncture based on data from controlled clinical trials.  This report provides a list of  diseases, symptoms and conditions for which acupuncture has been proved to be an effective treatment. This is by no means a complete list of what Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can treat as of today.

  • Before you have a treatment:
Clothing: Light and comfortable clothes. You may have to remove necklaces, watches and earrings. Usually there is no problem with piercing and we can avoid using access areas clogged by a jewel that is difficult to remove, as sometimes rings are. Many commonly used acupuncture points are located on the lower arms and legs, so it is helpful to wear clothing that allows easy access to these areas.
Makeup:  Better if it comes without makeup, lipstick or perfume.
Fasting: Try not to go for treatment on an empty stomach or straight after a heavy meal.  2 hours after eating would be ideal.

  • After you have a treatment:

People have a variety of reactions to acupuncture treatment. The type of reactions would depend on their condition: most people find acupuncture relaxing and often feel very calm after a treatment. Other may feel a little tired or sleepy and should take this into account if you are planning to drive or use heavy machinery straight after your treatment. If you're under too much stress or otherwise difficult time in your life, you might feel like crying, laughing or expressing yourself in another way. As long as you stay as still as possible,  please feel free to let your emotions flow out of you.   All of these reactions are just fine and you shouldn’t stop them unless they cause you an unreasonable amount of discomfort. In any case, feel free to reach us out if you feel other reactions so we would be able to give an explanation to you.

You should refrain from vigorous exercise after treatment and, ideally, give yourself a little time to rest. It is also advisable not to drink alcohol for several hours after treatment. 

  • Will my treatment be conducted in privacy?  
Yes, we provide acupuncture in the comfort of your own home. Treatments are done on a one to one basis but if you want to have someone with you for support, you are more than welcome to do so. The most important thing in Acupuncture is that you feel comfortable and relaxed, and we consider that there is no better place than your own home.

  • Do acupuncture needles hurt? 
Acupuncture rarely 'hurts'. The most that people experience is a dull ache around the base of the inserted needle, or a slight tingling feeling when the needle is inserted. Points at the extremities, like toe or finger ends, can sometimes be a little sharp, but the sensation is usually brief.

If the thought of needles turns you off, keep in mind that acupuncture needles are about the width of two to three strands of hair and are actually quite flexible. Acupuncture needles are much thinner than hypodermic needles.

  • How many sessions would I need to treat my condition?

Treatments work on momentum which means they build on one another. As more frequent the treatments are, faster the healing is.

The number of subsequent treatments would depend on the condition treated. One treatment is often not enough to cure what ails you. Although some patients respond favorably after only one or two treatments, others may need further sessions.  In any scenario, we review the markers of your progress on each session (e.g which symptoms are relieved, which ones are still occurring, etc) so we might establish an estimation of how many sessions you would need to treat your "headline" condition.


If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us

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