Acupuncture
Acupuncture
The acupuncture system describes the circulation of energy in the body through a series of channels called meridians through which the QI or Life Force flows. By using fine disposable needles in the words of the Nei Jing, the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine 2000BC “Acupuncture is applied in order to supply what is lacking and drain off excessive fullness”. It is beneficial for all ages. The youngest I have treated is a 3 week old baby for colic. The oldest is an 82 year old man with shoulder pain. The World Health Organization website has all the indications for acupuncture so I will not list them. It is one of the few complementary therapies approved by the medical profession.
You can read the list of diseases and disorders that can be treated with acupuncture on the World Health Organization website.
Fertility Treatment
Fertility is a woman’s natural state from the time she gets her periods to when she begins the menopause. What TCM has taught me is that infertility is a result of an imbalance in the body’s energies which affect the organs and the hormonal states of person….
Read more about my treatments for infertility →
Pain Relief
There have been many clinical trials on the use of acupuncture for pain relief. TCM looks at pain as a blockage in the meridians. This can be caused by trauma resulting in blood and Qi stagnation…
Read more about my treatments for pain relief→
Herbal Medicine
While Acupuncture balances the body’s energies through the external application of needles, herbs alter the body’s internal pathogens. They are in my opinion quicker at clearing conditions of a chronic nature such as phlegm and damp for example sinusitis. The herbs are categorized into groups according to their properties.
- To clear heat, cold, wind, damp, phlegm.
- To tonify the body’s energies.
- To nourish blood or to move blood.
All herbs are strictly regulated for quality and all animal products and minerals are prohibited. Since 2011 all practitioners who prescribe herbs must be qualified herbalists.
Treatment for Animals
As a former racehorse trainer who is constantly in contact with animals I have been using classic formulas for years particularly to treat common problems like coughs and appetite loss. These formulas are also wonderful if used on acute injuries.
Medicinal Mushrooms
Wild Reishi mushroom
Medicinal mushrooms are a complementary supplement as they are completely safe to take with any medication. There is extensive research available on their benefits including endurance athletes, cancer , immunological disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. In fact our horse Oscar Time was given them before his 2nd and 4th in The English Grand National.
You can read more information about cancer care by Dr Nalini Chilkov of The Huffpost Healthy Living
Moxibustion
The herb Moxa similar to the English plant Mugwort has been used to stimulate acupuncture points for as long as needles, The plant is dried and looks similar to tobacco. It is rolled into cones and either put directly on the skin or onto needles to send heat into the acupuncture points. This therapy is extremely successful in treating conditions such as frozen shoulder, painful periods and infertility.
Acupuncture needle with moxa
Professional moxa stick
Cupping
Cupping in Traditional Chinese Medicine
I use this to move the blood and Qi, or energy, in certain areas of the body particularly the back. It is like a deep tissue massage. Vacuums are created in glass cups & put on the skin to move the stagnation which causes pain, spasm and tightness in the tissue. The cups can also be used to move phlegm from the lungs and to clear an invasion of wind in cases of the common cold. Some practitioners use the cups to detox the body – Gweneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston are celebrity fans of this therapy.
