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The first consultation is approximately 1¼ hours long. Subsequent treatments are of ¾ hour duration. A detailed understanding is required of the patient's symptoms, past medical and family history, lifestyle and diet, behaviour of all the systems in the body such as digestion and circulation, sleep patterns, emotions and feelings.

Diagnosis will also include examination of the tongue for its structure, colour and coating and of the pulses at the wrists, which are felt for their quality, rhythm and strength. What the practitioner is looking for is a pattern, into which is woven a total picture of the patient, not just symptoms in isolation.
Having decided on the cause or causes of the problem, the acupuncture points and appropriate method of treatment are selected according to various rules governing the movement of Qi in the body.

During acupuncture treatment, needles are either inserted for a second or two or left in place for up to 20 or 30 minutes, depending on the effect required. During this time there may be a heavy sensation in the limbs and a pleasant feeling of relaxation.

Sometimes a herbal preparation known as moxa is smouldered on or held near to the acupuncture point and removed when the patient feels it becoming hot. Gentle electrical stimulation may also be applied in the ears.

Treatment with acupuncture can produce rapid results but more often it requires a number of treatments over a period of time.

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