Services
Holistic healing tailored to you. Experience the power of acupuncture, cupping, guasha, tuina massage and moxibustion.
Acupuncture
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the longest established forms of healthcare in the world. Acupuncturists are trained to use subtle diagnostic techniques that have been developed and refined for thousands of years. Treatment involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points on the body to affect the flow of your body’s qi, or vital energy
History of Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a branch of traditional medicine that has been practised in China and the far east for thousands of years. It has been developed, tested, researched and refined to give a detailed understanding of the body's energetic balance.
Different Styles of Acupuncture
East Asian Acupuncture which has a long and rich history and includes the most well known Chinese, Japanese and Korean traditions. These can be broken down to different schools of thought, including:
- Classical Chinese Medicine (Stem and Branches)
- TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine)
- Japanese meridian therapy
- Five elements
These are just branches of acupuncture with different philosophical concepts and theories which evolved over many thousands of years.
- Western Medical Acupuncture: uses basic needling techniques and is practised by osteopaths, doctors, and physiotherapists.
- Trigger Point Acupuncture: which is practised by osteopaths and physiotherapists to treat musculoskeletal pain.
I have been blessed to study East Asian Medicine at ICOM which focuses primarily on Classical Chinese medicine teachings but also includes Japanese meridian theories, five elements and TCM in their curriculum. Hence, I have the ability to use all different acupuncture approaches in treatments.
Benefits of Acupuncture
A growing body of evidence-based clinical research is discovering how the body responds to acupuncture and its benefits for a wide range of common health conditions. Some people feel their bodily functions are out of balance, but they have no obvious diagnosis. Many have regular treatments because they find it so beneficial and relaxing.
Common reasons for seeking acupuncture treatment include issues related to:
- Psychological
- Neurological
- Musculoskeletal
- Gynecological and obstetrics conditions
Health conditions acupuncture could help with, as listed by the British Acupuncture Council
- A • Acne • Allergic rhinitis • Anxiety • Arrhythmias and heart failure • Asthma
- B • Back pain • Bell’s palsy
- C • Cancer care • Carpal tunnel syndrome • Childbirth • Chronic fatigue syndrome • Chronic pain • Colds and flu • COPD • Coronary heart disease • Cystitis
- D • Dementia • Dentistry • Depression • Dysmenorrhea
- E • Eczema and psoriasis • Endometriosis
- F • Facial pain • Female fertility • Fibromyalgia • Frozen shoulder
- G • Gastrointestinal tract disorders • Gout
- H • Headache • Herpes • HIV infection • Hypertension
- I • Infertility ART • Insomnia • Irritable bowel syndrome
- K • Kidney Stones
- M • Male infertility • Menopausal symptoms • Migraines • Multiple sclerosis
- N • Nausea and vomiting • Neck pain • Neuropathic pain
- O • Obesity • Obstetrics • Osteoarthritis
- P • Palliative care • Parkinson’s disease • PCOS • Post-operative pain • PTSD • PMS
- R • Raynauds • Rheumatoid syndrome
- S • Sciatica • Sinusitis • Sports injuries • Stress • Stroke • Substance misuse
- T • Tennis elbow • Thyroid disease • Tinnitus • Type 2 diabetes
- U • Urinary incontinence
- V • Vertigo
In addition to a standard acupuncture session, any of these therapies may be concurrently used if required, with no additional fee
Moxibustion
Moxibustion, or moxa, is a traditional therapeutic technique first mentioned in Ancient Chinese medical textbooks and used for thousands of years. It involves using heat by burning dried mugwort herb (Artemisia vulgaris) to stimulate acupuncture or other points on the body. Since both acupuncture and moxibustion are based on the same medical principles, they are often used together.
Benefits: In many instances, moxibustion can greatly enhance the effectiveness of acupuncture treatments. The burning moxa creates warmth that penetrates deep into the body, promoting circulation and enhancing the flow of qi
Cupping
For centuries, cupping therapy has been traditionally employed as one of the most effective and important tools of Traditional Chinese Medicine. As part of a folklore medicine in many cultures, for thousands of years cupping was used to treat a broad spectrum of medical conditions such as infections, elevated blood pressure, the common cold and joint and musculoskeletal complaints. Cupping works through the power of suction, which is created by traditionally introducing a flame into the cup or being manually sucked using a pistol hand device. This creates a controlled vacuum within the cup, lifting skin and fascia and increasing blood circulation to areas of treatment.
Benefits: There are many benefits to cupping, from skin rejuvenation, muscle relaxation, improved lymphatic drainage or central nervous system stimulation
Tuina Massage
Tuina massage is as old as Chinese Acupuncture if not older. Archeological sites suggest that massage was first practiced by shamans over 3000 years ago. It seems Tuina had a major role in healing in ancient China, as many big texts were found dedicated to this modality over several dynasties. As a massage technique, it incorporates several different hand techniques and works along body meridians and acupuncture points.
Benefits: It provides endless benefits, naming only a few. It has an ability to promote and invigorate flow of qi and blood, expel and dissipate pathogens, nourish, tonify and strengthen blood and qi, relax muscles and lubricate and facilitate movement of joints. Tuina is a combination of physical body work and subtle energetic medicine. It can help with musculoskeletal, digestive, gynecological, respiratory ailments or headaches
Guasha
Guasha is a traditional, folk-like therapy that involves scraping the surface of the skin with a smooth edged tool called Gua. This causes the appearance of purple or red spots known as petechiae or sha. This signifies the impeded circulation of qi, blood or fluid in the area of treatment.
Benefits: Gua sha is used to relieve stagnations in underlying muscles and tissues, alleviating musculoskeletal pain. It can also be used in early stages of cold and flu infections to release the pathogen from the body.