It's true - acupuncture does use needles. And let's face it, for anyone who doesn't like needles, this represents a serious stumbling block in choosing to have acupuncture. So I thought it would be a good idea to look the issue right in the face, and to pass on to you the things that I tell patients, and prospective patients all the time. 1) Acupuncture needles are incredibly thin. Compared to the other needles we come across in normal life - sewing needles, syringe needles, … [Read more...]
“An apple a day …”
Well here's a recently published bit of health advice that sounds interesting, do-able and sensible. A research study in the USA looked at the effects of eating dried apple (75g per day) on the 'bad cholesterol' levels of post-menopausal women - and the results looked extraordinarily encouraging. Now, if you look behind the press coverage hype - you know the sort of thing ... "Apples prevent heart disease!" - it seems to me that this is a win-win situation. The idea behind the research … [Read more...]
Why acupuncturists like cooked vegetables.
In the summer, we tend to think about eating salads ... rather than soup. And that's fine if your constitution suits eating raw vegetables. But for many people, it's not a great idea. Why? Because of something Chinese medicine calls "damp". It won't come as much of a surprise to you to discover that here in the UK, we live in a damp climate. And if you think what a dampening (sorry ...) effect weeks of rain, gloomy skies and cancelled outdoor events have on our feelings of wellbeing and … [Read more...]
Summer – heat & thunderstorms, work & rest
It's been a while since I last posted, because I've been busy - re-establishing my acupuncture & Zero Balancing practice in Northampton, working long days in Daventry, supporting our son as he ploughs through his GCSEs and putting in hours and hours in the garden. Now, I know this is an unpopular thing to say, but I don't love the hot weather - I love the fact that others love it, and after the inappropriate chill and damp of just ten days ago, I'm happy for my vegetable plants - but as any … [Read more...]
Acupuncture for women’s health issues
Women tell me that they want to be seen as human beings, when they seek help for any number of health issues - like painful periods, menopause symptoms, fertility problems, or pregnancy-related symptoms like morning sickness. That's not too much to ask, is it? Well, of course it's not too much to ask, but in the extreme busy-ness of the NHS, or even of private fertility clinics, there often just isn't the time available to ask how all these things actually FEEL to the woman … [Read more...]
Love those bones!
Teaching Zero Balancing is as much a revelation as learning it for the first time. There is something profoundly humbling about seeing material that is deeply familiar through the beginner's eyes. And in Zero Balancing, our focus is on bones and the skeleton. None of that spooky, scary Halloween stuff; nor the sad, scary stuff associated with death. I'm talking about bones as the most vibrant living tissue, our core structure that gives us strength, protection and flexibility. Do you know … [Read more...]
“Positive Enough” Thinking
It's possible to get overwhelmed by all the good advice there is around - we're supposed to take responsibility for ourselves, our health, our state of mind. And that's all true, and a very good idea. Certainly better than waiting for someone else to sort you out. That's why I work alongside my clients, step by step, supporting and encouraging rather than deciding what's best for you. Whether you're battling with depression or anxiety, wanting to change old patterns of thinking and reacting, … [Read more...]
Spring forward?
We’ve had wonderful warm sunny weather recently, and it’s amazing how people’s spirits are uplifted by a spell of bright days. When our energy is running smoothly, the shift into springtime brings with it a surge of dynamism – new ideas, new plans, new inspiration, all running together to bring fresh impetus to life. But what if you’re not feeling enthusiastic? If your energy is still sluggish, and you just can’t get yourself in gear? This is actually very common, particularly in our … [Read more...]