Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does acupuncture hurt?

The needles are extremely thin, and most people feel no discomfort.

The most common sensations you might feel with acupunture are:

slight tingling
feeling of heat
numbness
deep relaxation

2. What is the first consultation like?

The first consultation involves a detailed assessment of your current health and well-being. It is also when we establish your personalised treatment plan and carry out the first treatment.

The first consultation includes:

Comprehensive assessment of your health history
Tongue examination
Pulse assessment
TCM diagnosis
Individualised treatment plan
Personalised dietary plan
Herbal medicine, if necessary

3. How many sessions are needed?

It depends on several factors:

The goal of the treatment
How long the problem has been present
The person’s overall health

Each case is unique and will be assessed individually.

4. How often should I have the treatments?

The frequency of sessions depends on your goals, the condition being treated, and your individual progress.

In the initial stages, weekly sessions are often recommended for the first 6–8 weeks to maximise results.

As the body gradually restores its balance, the intervals between sessions can be adjusted according to each person’s progress and overall health.

5. Why are weekly sessions recommended?

In everything we do in life, consistency is key to achieving good results. Acupuncture is no different.

Regular sessions allow the body’s response to be reinforced over time, helping to modulate the nervous system and promote more stable and lasting changes.

Through regular stimulation, acupuncture can help the body restore patterns of balance and self-regulation.

Just like with physical exercise, consistency is one of the factors that has the greatest influence on results.

6. How does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture involves stimulating specific points on the body using very thin needles.

Different points, different functions.

This stimulation triggers neurological, hormonal, circulatory, and other physiological responses that contribute to regulating and restoring balance within the body.

7. Why might a needle in the leg relieve stomach pain?

In acupuncture, points are not selected solely based on their proximity to the area where symptoms occur.

Stimulating certain points away from the site of the symptoms can influence different systems in the body through neurological, hormonal, and autonomic mechanisms, helping to address the underlying imbalance and support the body where it is needed.

That is why a point located on the leg may help regulate digestive function and relieve stomach-related symptoms.

8. Is there scientific evidence to support Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Yes!

And increasingly so.

This is one of the biggest myths surrounding Traditional Chinese Medicine, but there is a growing body of rigorous scientific research supporting the effectiveness of this ancient medical system.

Acupuncture is currently one of the most extensively studied areas of Traditional Chinese Medicine, with thousands of scientific publications available.

Research continues to evolve, contributing to a better understanding of its mechanisms and clinical applications.

9. Where can I find scientific research studies?

Some of the main databases used by healthcare professionals and researchers are:

• PubMed

• Cochrane Library

• Pedro

• Google Scholar

Simply access the site and search, for example: "acupuncture" + "endometriosis"

“Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan” (Chinese herbal medicine)

Scientific research is constantly evolving and is an important part of current clinical practice.

10. What can be part of a treatment?

The treatment plan may include different approaches, depending on each person's needs:

Acupuncture
Phytotherapy
Diet plan
Tui Na
Moxibustion
Suction cups
Electroacupuncture
Spinal manipulation

11. What pathologies can be treated with TCM?

As a system of medicine with its own diagnostic methods and a holistic approach to health, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be used for the prevention, treatment, and/or management of a wide range of conditions and imbalances.

My areas of specialisation within TCM include Women’s Health and Fertility, Pain Management, Insomnia, Anxiety, among others.

12. Do I need to be sick to benefit from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?

No.

Many people seek support for:

disease prevention (e.g., influenza)
stress management
health maintenance
improvement of overall well-being
promoting physical and emotional balance.

13. Is it safe?

Acupuncture is a safe practice when performed by qualified professionals. A safe practice also uses sterile material and single-use disposable needles.

In Portugal, Traditional Chinese Medicine is regulated by the National Council for Non-Conventional Therapies.

A duly qualified professional must hold a valid professional licence.

14. What should I do before the appointment?

Avoid coming on an empty stomach or immediately after very heavy meals.

Avoid drinking or eating foods that change the color of the tongue (coffee, wine, chocolate, curry, beetroot, etc.).

Wear comfortable underwear.

Bring any relevant medical exames (if available).

15. How can I schedule an appointment?

Go to the menu bar and click on "appointments" where you will find a " BOOK " button and then a "BOOK AN APPOINTMENT" button.

Simply click on this last button to fill out the form. Completing the form is necessary to make your 1st appointment.

Once the form is completed and submitted, I will contact you to schedule your first appointment.