I’ve been working for over 19 years developing my expertise in treating anxiety and stress, as well as other physical health conditions, such as headaches, hormonal issues, digestive complaints and pain management. I help people going through life’s transitional phases (e.g. midlife and perimenopause, puberty, parenthood, even retirement) manage their physical health and emotional well-being. I am a fully trained Traditional Chinese Medicine and Five Element Acupuncturist. This system of medicine is based on Chinese medicine principles that have been developed for over 2000 years to restore, promote and maintain good health.

When you come to see me I will take a detailed medical history including your symptoms, general health, diet and lifestyle. You will feel listened to. I’ll take plenty of time to understand your mental health and emotional state, as well as your physical symptoms. I will take your pulses, look at your tongue then make a detailed diagnosis. This allows me to formulate a treatment plan with the right combination of points for you.

We start treatment with a few very fine needles which are inserted into specific points on the body. Commonly these points are below the elbows and below the knees, but there are points all over the body and I often start with a treatment using needles only on your back. The needles are left in for a short time whilst you relax or they can be removed immediately. The first treatment will always be gentle and I’ll introduce you to the needles sensitively.

At the end of this first treatment I would expect you to feel relaxed, calm and reassured about what we can expect to achieve with acupuncture treatment. I will strive for the best possible outcomes for you, as long as you commit to regular treatment and engage with any lifestyle advice I offer.

As a new patient it is always beneficial to have weekly treatments at first. This gives the best and quickest chance of seeing improvement as the cumulative effects of treatment start to build. As your symptoms improve we will gradually space these out. Often patients decide to have regular “top up” treatments to maintain their sense of well-being.

Acupuncture has it’s own unfamiliar vocabulary. We talk about Qi (pronounced “chee”), meridians or channels, Yin, Yang, and the Five elements. I will always find a way to explain it, for your specific circumstances, in language that you can understand. We know from scientific studies that acupuncture can improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, affect the regulation of hormones in the body and change the way our brains respond to pain.

Acupuncture is widely used all over the world, either as a treatment on its own or in combination with other forms of medicine. You can have treatment whilst taking medication for other health conditions or alongside other treatments such as osteopathy, counselling or nutritional therapy.

If you’d like to know more, why don’t you book in for a free 20 minute consultation? I’d love to help you understand how acupuncture might help you to live your life with joy and ease.