A patient, coming for a long standing pain condition, was discussing with me how they were feeling after their second session today.

What moved me wasn't that the pain had diminished (from 9/10 to 2/10, which made us both happy!), but that they felt a deep sense of peace. Something they hadn't felt in a very long time. Living with chronic health imbalances can leave us tense, agitated, worn down - how lovely to leave those feelings behind. Acupuncture affects the whole person.
(These swallows are from my clinic room, patients love to watch them while they relax)

"How many sessions will I need?"
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This is one of the most common questions when patients come in for a first appointment. The short (and sometimes frustrating!) answer is – it varies greatly, depending on the individual, the symptoms and how long you’ve been experiencing your symptoms. If it’s something you’ve been experiencing for months or years, two or three sessions isn’t likely to resolve your symptoms. I thought it would be useful to explain this more….

As with other forms of medicine, Acupuncture is not a one-shot deal. It works cumulatively, meaning one treatment builds on the next. There are instances of acupuncture producing immediate results, however this is the exception to the rule. If you want lasting results from acupuncture, especially for a chronic condition, you need to commit to the process. This approach to healing can be unfamiliar to the western culture of instant gratification.

How long you’ve had your symptoms matters greatly, because we are creatures of habit – and so are our neural pathways. When you experience pain or trauma, your nerves create a specific pathway and connect to your brain. When you experience pain or trauma over and over, the same pathway becomes more deeply ingrained and your brain establishes a strong memory of that experience so that each time it happens that ‘pain file’ becomes quickly accessible.

By activating specific points with acupuncture, we’re helping your nervous system use new ways of problem-solving, stimulating different nerve pathways to approach a set of symptoms. We’re helping your body establish new habits of healing. This is a process, which (usually) takes time to have lasting impact.

Ultimately, the number and frequency of acupuncture sessions varies based on the individual, the symptoms and how long you have had the symptoms. A typical series of sessions consists of 6 to 12 visits, once or twice a week, becoming more spaced out as treatment progresses. Acute conditions, such as sprains, generally require less time and frequency, whereas more chronic or severe ailments may require several sessions. Sometimes the effects of acupuncture treatment can be quick and intense, sometimes initial effects can be subtle. In our busy lives, it can be hard to tune into the subtle shifts, as your body adapts and responds. Pain can be less intense or less frequent, sleep can improve, digestion more settled – all these subtle shifts are early signs that the body is responding and treatment is starting to take effect.

My aim is always to resolve your symptoms as quickly as possible and get you back to feeling ‘you’ again – I will never recommend more treatment than you need.

Last clinic of 2018 done! 🎉🎉🎉

What a year it's been... a huge thank to you patients, colleagues and everyone else who has helped the practice grow.

Already excited about what 2019 has in store - but for now it's time to unplug for some much needed rest and family time. Back in clinic on Monday 7th January, messages will be checked intermittently until then so here for any urgent appointment needs.

I hope Christmas is whatever you need it to be. See you all next year!

❤️✨❄️🎄❄️✨❤️

Look what we have here thanks to Santa's little helper 🎅

​Gift Vouchers printed on super quality recycled matt paper now in stock. Can be posted out as a last minute gift idea. A Sonas Acupuncture gift voucher offers an ethical, locally sourced, zero-landfill gift option that can get 2019 off to a great start for your loved ones. Give the gift of health!

New Acupuncture clinic now open in Melrose!

After a brilliant two years at Borders Body & Mind, Sonas Acupuncture has moved to a dedicated clinic space at West End House in Melrose, next door to Future Physio (just above Provender restaurant). The new centrally located premises means more flexibility for patients and a wider range of treatments available to people in the Borders.

I'm really looking forward to helping the people of the Borders from this new space.

PS - Still at Portobello Natural Health!

⭐🏮Happy Chinese New Year🏮⭐
This is the year of the Earth Dog. According to the Chinese calendar this brings a calmer year ahead, characterised by loyalty, compassion and (stubborn) justice. 🐶

For more information from Lillian Bridges on the year ahead go here

It's been a busy few days here at Sonas - as well as treating patients I've been out and about. Yesterday was working with the Northern College of Acupuncture who have been catching up with graduates and discussing life in practice for future students - which meant some filming 😱 (anyone who knows me knows I'm not a fan of being in front of the camera 🙄).
Then this morning I've been spending some time with S1 pupils at Earlston High School, participating in a 'Careers in Healthcare' event alongside colleagues in the NHS. Introducing Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine to them was great fun... they even got to have a go at needling our 'patient', Mr Grapefruit 🍊 😂.
I also loved hearing fellow speakers such as radiographers and dental nurses share their positive experiences of having had acupuncture. Acupuncture for all!

"Acupuncture is not a placebo.... acupuncture is better than usual care and sham acupuncture for pain from musculoskeletal conditions, knee osteoarthritis and chronic headache." - National Institute for Health Research.
https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/portal/article/4000746/acupuncture-shown-to-have-benefits-for-treatment-of-some-chronic-pain
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialNIHR/videos/1680474695351290/

Impartial conclusions from a national health research body, confirming what we as Acupuncturists see every day in clinic. If you or anyone you know suffers from any of these conditions feel free to get in touch to find out more.
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