Q: Is there anything I need to do before undergoing acupuncture? A: Large meals should not be consumed within one hour of your acupuncture session since digestion changes your pulse rate. Additionally, food and drink that colors your tongue, e.g. coffee, and alcohol should be avoided prior to treatment.
Q: Does my GP need to know? A: Only if you are receiving any treatments from your doctor. In some circumstances the fact that you are receiving acupuncture may negate the continuation of some prescriptions/ treatments. Similarly, acupuncturists must be informed of any treatments being provided by your doctor as they may reduce the effects of the acupuncture.
Q: What are the after effects of acupuncture? A: Typically you will feel calm and relaxed, at ease with yourself and everyone around you. On occasion particularly strong treatment may make you feel drowsy or tired for a few hours. Problematic symptoms that were targeted with the treatment may return in a short burst as your Qi drifts away and resettles.
Q: What are the things I should seek in an acupuncturist? A: The acupuncture practitioner must be registered through a professional organization and have insurance cover that is appropriate. When speaking to them you should be able to engage well, feel comfortable and know that they have a clear idea of what it is that you want from them. Similarly, the practitioner should be able to confer what they believe the acupuncture will achieve.
Q: How much does acupuncture cost? A: As such no fixed rates are used. Overheads vary from practice to practice. The best way to get an idea of costs is to phone a few practices nearby, asking how much they charge for their various treatments.
Q: What can the practice of acupuncture achieve for me? A: This is dependant on whether your problematic symptoms you wish to reduce are specific and current, or rather, that you are looking for preventative treatment. What is generally done is to contact your local acupuncture practitioner and discuss your requirements with them. Specific questions can then be answered by the very people that will be carrying out and monitoring your acupuncture sessions.
Q: What number of acupuncture treatments will I require? A: The number of treatments you may need varies depending upon the patient. Courses of treatments are common as one-time cures are rare. 4-6 treatments tend to produce noticeable results with regards to improving your condition.
Q: Are acupuncture machines that enable self treatment a good idea? A: These gadgets and gizmo's are not recommended. Experienced and qualified acupuncturists are who you should turn to. These people are able to diagnose your specific wants objectively and then act appropriately for your particular situation.
Q: Is the practice of acupuncture painful? A: Some very mild tingling can sometimes result. What is should never be is painful. Many people imagine how they felt when surgical needles were placed in themselves. Acupuncture uses far finer needles with little similarity to injection needles, being solid rather than hollow.
Q: If I'm currently on prescribed medications whilst undergoing sessions of acupuncture should I continue with the prescriptions? A: Indeed you should, until you have proper discussions with your GP that suggest otherwise. Albeit that many people decide to undergo acupuncture because medical treatments are seemingly failing them, it is very important that you should not cease taking your medication without first consulting with your doctor.
Q: In what way are acupuncture needles used? A: One-use pre-sterilized disposable acupuncture specific needles are used. Stringent codes of sterilization and hygiene are always adhered to.
Q: How safe is acupuncture? A: The transmission of diseases or improper use of needles are almost non-existent due to very thorough hygiene and safety practices vetted by the local health authorities and acupuncture bodies alike.
Q: Are there different types of acupuncture? A: Yes, other forms exist that focus entirely on specific parts of your anatomy, e.g. hand or foot. Electrical stimulation via the needles is also practiced. A form of acupuncture uses no needles at all, instead pressure is applied to various points on the body, usually by the practitioners hands. Consult the internet, libraries and local practitioners for more advice.
What is it? A common skin disorder, acne appears in the form of pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, and occasionally nodules and cysts. Most commonly, acne breaks out on the face, but can occur on the neck, arms, chest, back and shoulders as well. It normally starts in the teen years and can persist into the 20's, or longer. For a small percentage of people, acne is a lifelong problem.
What is its cause? No one is certain but it appears that heredity, hormones and oil ducts are responsible in some way. You may have an inherited tendency towards acne if other members of your family have had it.
There are hormones called androgens (male sex hormones) that increase for boys and girls during puberty. They can cause the sebaceous (oil) glands on some parts of the body to produce more sebum. As the oil ducts produce more oil, it gets trapped below the skin surface, which can lead to pimples.
What doesn't cause it? While it's important to keep a clean face, dirt does not cause acne. The plug in blackheads isn't dirt but the pigment of the cells the plug is made of. Also, stress doesn't cause acne. And food is also not a cause of acne: neither greasy foods, nor chocolate, nor soft drinks are to blame for pimples.
Who gets it? Mostly adolescents because of the elevated hormonal levels that happen during puberty. Acne is common for people of all races who are between the ages of 12 to 30. For most it goes away by the thirties.
How do you treat acne? For some, over-the counter medications may be all that's required. For others, a dermatologist may need to be consulted and a prescription medication prescribed. It may take a while (4 to 8 weeks) for any treatment to show improvement so advertisements that promise immediate results probably won't deliver on that promise. Treatments are usually applied directly to the affected areas. In some cases, side effects such as burning, dryness, redness, scaling and peeling may occur. These symptoms may go away or lessen after the medicine is used for some period of time. If not, consult your physician.
In addition to these treatments, oral antibiotics are sometimes prescribed in order to reduce inflammation and the bacteria that can cause acne. The important thing to realize is that it's possible to successfully treat acne. It may require persistence and it may take a while to find the treatment that works, but few cases of acne are beyond the ability of today's therapies to treat.
How should acne sufferers care for their skin? The face (and hair) should be kept clean, but avoid the use of strong soaps which can aggravate the condition. Gently wash the face twice daily (more if it gets dirty or sweaty during the day) and rinse thoroughly. Also, don't rub or handle acne. Breaking or picking pimples, blackheads and whiteheads can lead to scarring and in some cases, severe infections. And guys who shave must be careful when shaving those areas with blemishes. Slicing pimples with a razor can cause the same problems that squeezing them does.
What sort of things can aggravate acne? ·Anything that causes friction or pressure on the skin such as tight clothes and hats, helmets, backpacks, or leaning and rubbing on something for long periods. ·Squeezing, picking, vigorous scrubbing or rubbing affected areas or blemishes. ·The pre-menstrual period experienced by some women and girls. ·Pollution ·Greasy cosmetics
When should someone with acne see a doctor? If your acne doesn't respond to OTC medications, if you have severe acne, or if it's affecting you emotionally or psychologically, you probably should visit your doctor. Also, if you're already taking prescription medicine and you think it's causing or aggravating your acne. Your family doctor is probably the first person you should see, and he or she can refer you to a specialist if needed.
Both Alex Rider & Stephanie Mcintyre Mcintyre are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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