Small Group Acupuncture
Did you want to try acupuncture but were put off by the cost?
Small Group Acupuncture is lower cost acupuncture.
We aim to bring acupuncture treatment with the reach of many more people, by substantially reducing the cost per session.
WHAT IS SMALL GROUP ACUPUNCTURE?
Small Group Acupuncture is acupuncture given to small groups of patients (3 or 4) who all have a similar problem. It is very suitable for some conditions where you don't need to undress and where you won't find it embarrassing to talk about your symptoms in front of other patients.
The treatment itself is essentially the same as you would have one-to-one.
WHY HAVE GROUP TREATMENT?
Group treatment for several people at the same time using a standardised protocol greatly reduces the costs of treatment and so makes the benefits of acupuncture available to many more people.
Some patients enjoy the friendliness and support of the group situation and are happy to sit and chat, but if you'd rather read or listen to your own music, that's fine too.
This approach has been tried very successfully in the States and in the UK and has good success rates, but it is only suitable for a few problems where privacy is not an issue.
WHAT CAN IT BE USED FOR?
Small group acupuncture is ideally suited for the treatment of chronic knee pain and arthritis of the knee, for headaches and migraines and for stress and anxiety.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT A GROUP TREATMENT
You will be treated sitting down in a small group of between 2 and 4 people. After a short discussion, dealing with any questions, we will put needles in each patient and these will be left in position for about 20 minutes. We leave you to sit quietly until time is up and then take the needles out and off you go.
THE PATHWAY
contact us and we will put your name down for the next available group space
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we will send you an information sheet, consent form and medical questionnaire, so you have all the paperwork ready and filled in
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when a space comes up we will contact you to see if you still want it
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if you do, we will book the first visit which is a one to one session to take full details, examine you and try a brief acupuncture treatment to see if it is suitable for you. If it is, we will book 3 group sessions of treatment at roughly weekly intervals
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on your fourth visit we will assess your progress. If you are doing well we will probably book a couple more sessions to consolidate progress. If you are not making the expected progress we will change the treatment for another 2 sessions. You would still be seen in the group.
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you may need a few more treatments than this
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improvements will usually last 6-24 months or longer.
You can drop out of treatment at any time if you are very much better, or if you are not happy.
If you would prefer private one to one consultations then these are still available as usual.
SAFETY AND SIDE EFFCTS
A very large review of acupuncture in the UK showed that there was neglible risk in the hands of competent practitioners. No serious adverse events were seen; minor side effects were bruising, dizziness and a temporary worsening of pain.
