Covid-19 is a new type of virus which belongs to the same family of viruses (Coronaviruses) that are the predominant cause of the common cold. In fact, Coronaviruses account for 20-30% of common colds and are spread in the same way, either in aerosol particles from coughing or sneezing, or by direct person to person contact, especially via the hands.

Although vaccines are being hailed as the solution to Covid-19, the current outlook for discovering an effective one is uncertain, especially bearing in mind that the dominant cause of common colds are Coronaviruses, a vaccine for the common cold still eludes science.

Our word hygiene, is derived from Hygiea the name of the Greek goddess of health, cleanliness and sanitation. In our modern era of scientific medicine, our reliance on antibiotics and vaccines has made us complacent about basic hygiene, and Covid-19 has exposed this.

The most effective ways to prevent the spread of Covid-19 are still handwashing, sanitation, wearing a facemark, social distancing and self-isolation of those infected.

In order to ensure your safety when attending an acupuncture treatment in light of the ongoing risk posed by Covid19, The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) have set out a number of safety guidelines to be followed for safe practice:

For your safety I will ensure that appointments are spaced 15-30 minutes apart to allow time for cleaning/sterilising the floors and surfaces with bleach/alcohol, ventilating the practice room and wash my hands between treatments. I will also provide anti-viral hand sanitiser to be applied to our hands before treatments

You will need to provide before the initial appointment;

1. to confirm that neither you nor anybody in your immediate household has had a cough, fever or tested positive for Covid-19 within the last 14 days. *(If either you or someone else in your household has, we would need to delay the appointment.)

2. fill in a health questionnaire which I will email you (including full details of name, address, & contact mobile number) regarding your main complaints. *(This is to minimise risk by reducing contact face time in the treatment room.)

3. to pay online by BACS to avoid using cash *(no cash or cards)

4. You will need to wear a face mask when you come for the treatment and wear loose clothing. If you can also bring a light blanket or shawl to cover yourself with if necessary.

So long as all of the conditions set out in these guidelines are fulfilled, risk of transmitting Covid-19 will be minimised as much as is practically possible.