ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM ACUPUNCTURE?

Anyone can benefit from Acupuncture and it is effective for the treatment of a wide range of conditions, both as a stand-alone therapy and in combination with conventional western medicine.

I have a special interest in male & female fertility, gynaecological issues including irregular or absence of periods, PMS, endometriosis and PCOS, perimenopause and menopause. I am a member of the Acupuncture Fertility Network (AFN) and am continuously expanding my knowledge in the area of natural and assisted conception (IVF) as this is such a rapidly changing area of science.

I also support clients with health issues such as insomnia, IBS, stress & anxiety, fatigue, long Covid, headaches and migraines.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a system of medicine originating in China, based on ancient principles going back over two thousand years, making it one of the oldest tried and tested holistic systems of medicine.

Today, Acupuncture is recognised across the world and, with people increasingly turning towards natural ways of supporting their health, has become one of the most popular complementary therapies in the UK.

TREATMENTS

In your first session, I do an in-depth consultation to get a complete picture of you as a whole. Based on this information, I formulate a treatment plan and we proceed to your acupuncture treatment.

The selection of points is based on an individual diagnosis which not only addresses the physical manifestations of disharmony but also the underlying causes.

After your treatment, I provide you with tailored lifestyle and dietary advice and book any follow-up sessions. The number of follow-ups depends on the individual and the condition being treated but a course of 6 to 8 weekly acupuncture treatments is generally advised.

THE RESEARCH

Acupuncture is supported by current and ongoing research that continues to validate much of its principles. One of the most researched mechanisms is that acupuncture stimulates the release of naturally-occurring endorphins, the body’s own ‘feel-good’ chemicals, that have similar characteristics to painkillers, and other such neuro-chemicals that affect mood, immunity, digestion, hormones and other systems.

There are now over 13,000 clinical trials of acupuncture registered in the Cochrane Database and this does not include the large volume of studies into acupuncture’s underpinning mechanisms. There are also hundreds of systematic reviews showing its effectiveness. 

Acupuncture is used by the NHS and has been recommended by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the World Health Organization (WHO) for a list of conditions.

THE PRINCIPLES

The practice of acupuncture is founded on the concept of Qi (vital energy), which flows along specific pathways within the human body, interconnecting the organs and nourishing all parts of the body.

When the body is in a balanced state and in harmony with the external environment, Qi flows smoothly through the meridians. However, the flow of Qi can become blocked or unbalanced for a variety of reasons such as poor nutrition, injury, lifestyle factors, emotions or trauma – which can lead to mental or physical disharmony. The overall aim therefore is to direct the flow of Qi to trigger your body’s healing response and to restore physical, emotional and mental equilibrium.