Therapy.

Acupuncture

I trained at the Integrated College of Chinese Medicine in Reading.  As the name suggests this integrates two main styles of acupuncture: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and 5 Element.  This approach can be used to help with a wide range of complaints from acute problems such as back and joint problems to more chronic conditions like high blood pressure, asthma, headaches, bowel and urinary disorders, insomnia, lethargy and many more, as well as helping on a constitutional level. Acupuncture is particularly helpful for women's health issues such as PMS or heavy or irregular periods.

During your first visit I will take a full history in order to make a diagnosis based on the TCM and 5 Element understanding of health and disease.  Questions about the complaint you are presenting with, along with those concerned with sleeping, diet, thirst, sweating, urination and bowel habit will be asked as well as details of your medical and personal history.  Examination of your pulses and tongue will be undertaken as these give important information for the diagnosis.

Acupuncture needles are inserted into points on the body depending on the nature of your complaint and the Chinese Medical diagnosis.  Sometimes I will use moxa, a Chinese herb similar to mugwort, which has warming and tonifying properties.  Other therapeutic interventions include the use of suction cups and electro-acupuncture.  All these will be discussed with you beforehand if I think they will be necessary.

Reflexology

This ancient healing art works primarily on your feet, where each part of your foot is said to correspond to a particular part of your body, a 'reflex'. For example the reflex area for your head is your big toe. I believe that reflexology has some similarities with acupuncture in that it works with the subtle energy of the body, accessing it through the reflexes on your feet. My style of reflexology is gentle, working on these subtle energies to re-balance them and shift blockages. This powerful therapy is deeply relaxing, allowing activation of your body’s own healing potential.

Caution needs to be exercised in certain medical conditions, for example diabetes, and I will therefore ask you about your medical history.