Chronic illness and autoimmune disease can cause a variety of symptoms, with pain and tension being amongst the most common. Conditions such as fibromyalgia and CFS can be associated with widespread tension and inflammation throughout the body, resulting in chronic pain which can significantly impact everyday life. Acupuncture offers a gentle approach to pain management for those suffering with chronic illness, helping to calm inflammation and improve quality of life.
How I can help –
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Fibromyalgia
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CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome)
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Long COVID
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Post-viral fatigue
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Lupus
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Lyme disease
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Peripheral neuropathy
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Pain related to cancer treatment
How acupuncture can help with pain from chronic illness
Acupuncture offers a drug-free approach to managing pain associated with chronic illness, helping to calm inflammation, ease tension, and reduce fatigue. At my Lewes clinic, I offer personalised treatment that may combine acupuncture with bodywork, moxibustion and gua sha, depending on your individual symptoms and needs.
How acupuncture can help with pain from chronic illness:
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Relieving pain by stimulating the body's natural pain-relieving mechanisms, including endorphins.
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Helping to ease muscular tension, stiffness and discomfort associated with persistent pain.
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Supporting relaxation and helping to ease physical tension when the body is under ongoing stress.
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Helping to manage symptoms such as persistent pain, fatigue and generalised aches.
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Calming the nervous system and helping to reduce stress, which can contribute to pain and fatigue.
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Supporting better sleep, energy and overall wellbeing when living with a chronic health condition.
What to expect from your treatment
Consultation
Your first session begins with a relaxed conversation about your health history, current symptoms, lifestyle and goals. This gives me the opportunity to understand the wider picture and develop a personalised treatment approach.
Pulse & Tongue Diagnosis
You’ll then lie comfortably while I take a look at your tongue and feel your pulse. These are traditional Chinese medicine diagnostic techniques that help me build a fuller picture of your health and identify patterns that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Bodywork & Acupressure
I begin your treatment with some gentle stretches, acupressure or bodywork. These techniques can help me further assess areas of tension and imbalance, while also helping you to settle into a relaxed state before the acupuncture.
Gentle Needle Insertion
I then insert ultra-fine, sterile needles at specific acupuncture points. Acupuncture needles are very fine, and insertion is usually painless. You may experience sensations such as warmth, heaviness, tingling or a gentle dull ache around the needles.
Time to Relax
Once the needles are in place, you’ll have time to rest comfortably for around 20–40 minutes. Many people find this part of the treatment deeply relaxing and may even drift off to sleep.
Additional Techniques
Depending on your individual needs, I may also incorporate other techniques into your treatment, always with your consent. These might include Shiatsu, moxibustion, cupping or gua sha.
Your Treatment Plan
At the end of your session, we’ll discuss what I’ve found and talk through your personalised treatment plan. Where appropriate, I may also suggest supportive exercises, lifestyle changes or other recommendations that can complement your acupuncture treatment.