Healing Haven Acupuncture Clinic, set in the wild and sumptuously beautiful countryside of Donegal. Acupuncture, involving the insertion of very fine needles at specific points in the body, is a rather unusual treatment modality which was uniquely developed in China about 2,000 years ago. In this respect it is unlike other treatment modalities which have arisen independently in many human cultures and at many different times in history, such as herbalism, massage, surgery, bonesetting, various forms of lancing and bloodletting, and lifestyle and dietary modification. Another unusual aspect is a written literature spanning the 2,000 years of its use right up to the present day.
Scientific research into the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture is still at a preliminary stage, and a significant body of high-quality studies is lacking, nevertheless, what evidence there is supports the suggestion that acupuncture is extremely safe in the hands of properly trained professionals, and that it can provide a useful treatment alternative for pain, especially in cases where analgesic medications are contraindicated, for example, in pregnancy, or when there is a history of gastric problems. It can also be useful in the reduction of stress, and in the treatment of many functional problems of digestion, menstruation, and bowel and bladder function.
Some people worry that the experience of acupuncture may be painful, but with few exceptions, people usually find themselves feeling deeply relaxed once the needles are in place. Some worry about safety, especially the risk of contracting a blood-bourne disease, however, all professionally trained acupuncturists now use sterile needles, which are used once straight from the pack and disposed of safely immediately after removal.
Scotlyn Sabean is a registered member of AFPA (Acupuncture Foundation Professional Association), and her clinic is run in accordance with the Association's Code of Ethics and Practice. This Code is aimed at protecting the safety of the patient and reducing any anxiety associated either with the treatment or the business model on offer. Practitioners bound by the Code will encourage you to consider the treatments in their clinics to complement, but never replace, the primary medical care offered by the GP. They will never make recommendations to you in relation to any standard medications you have been prescribed. They will never ask you to book and pay in advance for a course of treatments, which you may not need or want. They will apply the highest standards of safety and hygiene to your treatment, and safeguard the confidentiality of your information. They will endeavour at all times to provide you with the highest quality of care in accordance with their training.
