A system of complementary medicine in which fine needles are inserted in the skin at specific points along what are considered to be lines of energy (meridians), used in the treatment of various physical and mental conditions. (Oxford English Dictionary accessed 16.3.18)
Auricular or ear acupuncture allows us to treat many patients at once. We use recliner chairs in a quiet room with subdued lighting and gentle music. Patients can rest quietly for 30-40 minutes with their needles in place and symptom measurement tools show that many patients benefit significantly from a reduction in both frequency and intensity of their symptoms. Patients may have persistent symptoms many years after their cancer has gone due to side effects from the cancer treatments, (such as nerve damage from chemotherapy or scar tissue), or on going treatment to reduce the likelihood of the cancer coming back (namely hormone deprivation drugs in breast and prostate cancers). Most patients will come each week for a treatment initially and once they feel better the appointments are spread out further so some patients might come every few weeks, or months to keep on top of their symptoms. Of course where patients require body treatments privacy and single appointments are still necessary but the vast amount respond well within the group setting.
Our group treatments are held in the Ripley Room within the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre.
Patients will have a private consultation with the complementary Therapist and give informed consent before receiving treatment.