The mystery of wellbeing

Time and again you'll hear the word 'wellbeing' from acupuncturists and other complementary therapists. Yes, we can address your physical symptoms, we say, but we also aim to 'improve your general feeling of wellbeing' in the course of treatment. In fact, we often recommend acupuncture as a pick-me-up if you're simply feeling a bit below par with no specific symptoms.

What on earth are we talking about? Well, I remember some years ago seeing Peter Kay doing stand-up and talking about what strange turns of phrase ladies come out with when they're chatting. The part I remember most was (roughly) this:

Lady 1: So how is she then, after the operation?

Lady 2: Oh, she's fine ... in herself.

And that's the best way I can think to explain what is meant by 'improved wellbeing' as a result of acupuncture treatment: people simply feel better 'in themselves'.

As acupuncturists, when treating a particular condition our aim is always to treat the root of it and not just the symptoms, so it makes sense that in doing so other positive changes may occur that perhaps people aren't expecting.

Here are just a few common examples of what can happen alongside an improvement in main symptoms that leads to people just feeling better 'in themselves':

- improved sleep

- decreased anxiety and stress levels

- improved appetite

- smoother, regular digestion

- better concentration

- a more regular menstrual cycle

- the cessation of PMT symptoms

- more energy

In most cases, just one of those things could be said to improve someone's wellbeing. So imagine experiencing several or even all of them through acupuncture.

And it's for that reason that when a patient tells me they've felt better 'in themselves' since their last treatment, it makes me happy.