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I’m a big fan of acupuncture, the ancient treatment was my saviour back in 2004 when I threw out my back, it helped me quit smoking and a very good friend credits it for helping her conceive her much longed for baby girl. I had heard that it's a great facial rejuvenation treatment but hadn’t tried it specifically for that.
I have been sleeping badly recently, for those of you who know me, I’m a sleep maintenance insomniac and I have (inexplicable) cycles of sleeping very little and effectively losing the plot. I’ve had a few weeks of not sleeping well, not terribly but averaging around 5 to 6 hours a night. I feel sluggish and I look pretty shit. My skin’s gray and my eye bags have bags of their own.
It was in this sleep deprived and vaguely tetchy state I found myself in in the treatment room of Dr Qiaohong Jiao at the Acu Medic clinic in Camden.
What is Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese Medicine (that is also recommended by the NHS as there is ‘reasonably good evidence" that acupuncture is effective at treating a range of conditions’ - this is not snake oil) which been used for thousands of years in China. The aim of acupuncture is to help balance the body through the use of very fine needles. These are placed in specific points on the body that relate to the believed flow of Qi (energy) around the body.
What can Acupuncture help with?
According to the US department of health and service, acupuncture has been found to help with:
Muscle pain
Back problems (I can vouch for this!)
Headaches
Fertility issues
Neck pain
Knee pain
Tennis elbow
Menstrual cramps
My treatment
My treatment started with a consultation with Dr Jiao who took my pulse and looked at my tongue. Dr Jiao told me my liver and heart yin were out of sync and asked if I was suffering from dry skin, broken sleep, heartburn, stiffness and low energy - it was pretty spot on! She explained how important sleep was for women and my body is showing signs of long term sleep deprivation and sluggish energy flow. My face was mirroring this in dark circles, grey skin and dull eyes. We talked about how this session along with some prescribed herb capsules) would help the topical and superficial signs of the issues along with the internal issues.
I made myself comfortable on the treatment couch and the Dr cleansed my skin before inserting needles at various points on my face, my arms and my head. Most didn’t hurt but a couple did (mossie bite), apparently this is very normal. Applying the needles only takes around five minutes and almost immediately I feel a strange tingly, fizzy sensation, starting in my fingers and around my forehead. The Dr assures me this is normal and is the ‘de qi’ (energetic material) being activated - it felt strange, not unpleasant but warm and effervescent. I was then left in the dark to relax (and take a selfie!) for 40 minutes.
Once the needles were taken out I realised how light headed I felt so took a few minutes to sit still and come back down to earth. With one more check of the pulse, Dr Jiao sent me on my way to pick up my prescribed herbs from the dispensary in the tea shop downstairs.
The dispensary sits neatly alongside a tea bar so you can enjoy a refreshing tea and come back down to earth whilst you’re waiting for your tablets. The tea shops sells a huge collection of teas, herbal blends and tisanes along with some stunning teaware (I fell in love with a stunning glazed ceramic matcha bowl)
Did the treatment work?
I don’t know if it was coincidence but that night I got 8 eight hours sleep, for the first time in months. My skin looked great too, plumper, lifted, maybe a little firmer. I also managed 7 hours the following night which has made me feel more refreshed. I feel more energetic and fresher but that could be sleep as much as the herbs and acupuncture.
Would I do it again?
Yes, I’m going next week! Anything that can make me sleep for eight hours is a winner in my book!
The detail:
Acupuncture (I booked for cosmetic acupuncture but ended up mixing it with health) At Acu Medic, Camden Town. The treatment cost me £55 plus cost of any herbal prescription