A thorough consultation will take place, delving deep into your medical history and symptoms. I will also ask questions that may seem irrelevant to your presenting issue; however, this allows us to build a picture of your overall health. The questions will include: digestive health, sleep, emotions, menstruation cycle and personal well-being.

With your consent, I will also look at your tongue and take your pulse on both wrists to aid in my diagnosis of treatment.

After this, I will develop your treatment plan which may include cupping, moxa, gua sha and electro. A full explanation of all treatment will be given beforehand.

I will also explain the location of treatment on the body and if you will be required to remove clothing to access specific points. If there is any hesitation on the location of these points, please bring this to my attention as there are many alternative points that can be used. However, if you feel comfortable, a modesty towel will be provided.

Chaperones are also welcome if required.

As it will be your first appointment, allow up to 90 minutes and thereafter up to 60 minutes for all follow up treatments.

Acupuncture involves inserting very fine, sterile needles (as thin as a hair strand) into defined points on the body.

Acupuncture is not painful; however, you may feel different sensations known as ‘De Qi’. Sensations vary and can range from experiencing a light tingling, numb sensation, heaviness, dull ache and often a pleasant warming on the area when the needles are inserted. In TCM this is often explained as the needle moving your bodies energy known as “qi”. This is a normal response in Acupuncture and often desired in some cases depending on the practitioner and the condition being treated.

Needles are left in place for up to 30 minutes, the time in which the needles are left in is determined by your overall condition being treated.

The needles are in individual sterile packs and only used once before being disposed of.

Please be aware that minor bleeding may occur during treatment and bruising post treatment may occur.

All qualified acupuncturists are trained in the correct and safe practice of acupuncture.  All members of the BAcC are bound by strict codes of safe practice, ethical and professional conduct and standards of hygiene approved by the Department of Health.

Yes. It is highly recommended that you are being treated by a practitioner who is a member of the  The British Acupuncture Council (MBAcC). You can be assured that your Acupuncturist has completed degree level training with a minimum of 3 years, equating to 400 clinical hours while being taught by an accredited institute. The letters MBAcC after a practitioner’s name states that your practitioner is a member of the British acupuncture council and as being a member, they are required to undergo continual professional development each year and abide by the Code of safe practice.

This depends on the condition being treated and whether or not the presenting concern is chronic or acute. This will be determined within your initial session but generally speaking, the more chronic the symptom or condition is, the more treatments are needed. Regular sessions are most effective but some issues can be helped with 2-3 sessions.

If you have health insurance, please check the British Acupuncture (BAcC) website for a list of health insurers which approve BAcC practitioners. You may be required to provide a GP referral. If in doubt, contact your health insurance provider for more details.

I am a fully qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Acupuncturist, Facialist and energy healer practicing in Carshalton, Surrey and London, Soho treating a wide range of conditions.

I am committed to helping every patient to improve and support their overall well-being.

Absolutely! Your employer, the police or your GP have no right to this information without a warrant. If you wish to transfer your information if you change practitioners (Traditional Chinese Medical practitioner), then your file may be transferred, but only with your permission. A written request will be required.

Children tend to respond very quickly to treatment, however as a rule it is best not to use acupuncture on children under seven years of age. Young adults up to the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for Acupuncture and will not be treated for skin or healing treatments following guidelines until the age of 16. Consent will be needed from both parent and child if under the age of 16 for Acupuncture treatments.

Absolutely! If you are currently pregnant or trying to get pregnant, please inform your acupuncturist as certain acupuncture points are contra-indicated in pregnancy. I am a member of the AFN (Acupuncture Fertility Network) and have undergone specialist training in helping those with the following:

• Unexplained infertility
• Male factor (sperm parameters)
• PCOS
• Endometriosis
• Ovulation issues
• Menstrual cycle irregularities
• Recurrent miscarriage/repeated
• Failed IVFs
• Assisted conception support

• Please do not arrive on an empty stomach, we advise to have something light beforehand and to be hydrated.
• Refrain from energy drinks & alcohol beforehand

Try to drink plenty of water and refrain from vigorous exercise and alcohol for the remainder of the day. Lifestyle advice for post care will be given to you on the day.

Loose clothing is ideal for acupuncture treatments to manoeuvre clothing over knees and elbows. If clothing does need to be removed to get to specific areas (e.g., for a back treatment) then we can provide modesty towels. Practitioners will always leave the room while patients change and a chaperone can be brought if needed.

• A list of medication you currently use and any information you feel is important related to your reason for treatment.
• Chaperone, if you wish to have one or under the age of 16 with written consent.

No!  Acupuncture is traditionally used as a preventative medicine as well as effectively treating a wide range of symptoms.

Facial acupuncture is not painful treatment however some clients may be more sensitive than others on certain points. Sensitivity can be due to many factors; where the client is on their cycle or if they have consumed large amounts of caffeine beforehand are a two common reasons.

Bruising can occur and this is usually spotted during the treatment itself. Your practitioner will use a cold compress and a professional formulation to reduce this, there and then. If this occurs the bruising will usually go down within a few days.

Haematomas aka a bad bruise can also occur just like in body acupuncture. Manifesting as a tiny lump under the skin which with pressure and some TCL goes within an hour or two but usually ends up as a small bruise.

Arnica / Aloe vera to the rescue. These two products are now your best friend and we advise to apply to the bruised areas twice daily to reduce, soothe and bring down the bruise.

Reduce! Acids, retinols, or advanced savvy products that you’re trialling out for 3 days before your skin treatment to prevent over sensitising your skin.

This depends on the grade of acne you have. Cosmetic acupuncture can help reduce inflamed spots but if the acne is moderate to severe, I would suggest other facial treatments.  We may recommend you to see your dermatologist if the acne is more severe.

If you are unsure what grade your acne is feel free to arrange a consultation.

That depends upon your insurance company. For information on which private health insurance companies cover acupuncture, please follow this link to the BAcC website.

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. I operate a 48-hour cancellation policy whereby any appointment cancelled within 48 hours of the appointment time will result in forfeiting the deposit paid. This is in fairness to other patients requiring treatment and practitioner time.

 Telephone/ Whatsapp : 07392721777

 Email: bookings@irisabdele.com