Acupuncture has evolved from its roots in an old Chinese civilisation to take its place in the UK's primary health care system of the 21st century. Although clinically sophisticated, the central concept of acupuncture is very simple: the body, mind and emotions are inter-connected by a flow of energy. This energy can be disturbed and blocked by a number of factors in our modern lifestyle such as inappropriate diet, hormonal imbalance, hidden infections, drugs, allergies, overwork and stress, trauma, environmental and weather conditions, prolonged anger, fear, anxiety and grief.

The diagnosis and treatment methods of acupuncture can unravel complex patterns of illness by first finding the causes of the energy blocks in the organs and then releasing the blockages through a specific choice of points, and advice on lifestyle and diet. Thus acupuncture treats the person, not just the symptom. Two people may get migraines, but their symptoms may be quite different, based on the underlying cause which may come from a liver imbalance, a kidney deficiency, or intolerance to foods due to gastric problems.

My acupuncture diagnosis is made by reading the subtle signs of your body such as the twelve pulses, the tongue, the face, skin, nails, and hair, the sound of your voice and even the odour of your body. Combined with a detailed case history, this leads me to a specific treatment plan.

Good results can be obtained with acupuncture treatment: for acute problems a few sessions may be all that is needed. For longer standing, chronic symptoms you may need treatment for a number of months, and to change your diet and lifestyle. However, acupuncture is not painful: at most you may feel a sense of heaviness around the needle, or tingling, but generally people experience a pleasant sense of relaxation.

Acupuncture works not just directly on the body, as it helps to calm the mind and the emotions. Treatment enhances immunity, helps recuperation and convalescence, and provides preventative healthcare - all by balancing your internal energies!

Acupuncture sessions are one hour.