Chinese medicine is the oldest continually recorded medical system and Acupuncture derives from it. Thousands of years of this ancient practice’s evolution have firmly established it in today’s modern healthcare system. The unique beauty of Acupuncture therapy is its recognition and response to individual needs, treating not only symptoms but also the underling causes of them.
I am happy to treat clients for standalone Acupuncture treatments as well as those seeking to integrate this alternative therapy alongside traditional Western medicine. There is increasing medical acknowledgment of how these two forms of medicine can powerfully compliment each other to create a greater sense of wellbeing in recipients. I encourage open discussions at initial consultation stage and during each treatment to ensure that she best supports other therapies being given.
If you are curious how Acupuncture can help and support you I would recommend that you come for an initial consultation and treatment to see how it can benefit you.
All are welcome!
Whether you are trying to conceive naturally or are using IVF, or any other Assisted Conception methods, Fertility Acupuncture offers a valuable complementary treatment, helping to optimise the cycle and increase blood flow.
As well as addressing the physical aspects of trying to conceive, Acupuncture can offer support with the emotional side of things, helping to calm the mind and lessen the stress that can sometimes accompany this journey.
Medical advances in this field are increasing at an incredible speed and it is easy to forget the magic of conception. I firmly believe that Fertility Acupuncture is a wonderful support , allowing a time for reflection and connection as well as increasing your well-being at this exciting time.
If you are having IVF at KINGS I am a really convenient 5 minute walk away and can often time acupuncture treatments to coincide with your hospital appointments.
I treat and support couples, single women and same sex couples on this journey and have many years experience in this field.
Whether you would like to prepare for the run up to IVF, Acupuncture when in the IVF cycle or Pre and Post embryo transfer treatments I can accomodate you. i offer supplement, and lifestyle advice based on clinical experience.
I really believe that Acupuncture can make a difference.
If you have any questions about this treatment please get in touch at alisonsmith027@googlemail.com or 07590 849 700.
Hope to hear from you ….
There is a saying in Chinese Medicine that “All diseases come from the Heart”. In my experience there is frequently an emotional element connected with most physical conditions presenting in the clinic.
Chinese medicine is based on a philosophy that sees no differentiation between the mind/emotions and the body, and treats one as a continuation of the other. I have noticed that when treating a physical problem a client more than often feels relaxed and more positive after their session. This is an indirect and very welcome benefit from the treatment and can be used to our advantage.
When a client is reluctant to seek therapies where they have to talk about their situation acupuncture can have a profound effect on their mood without them having to open-up to the before they are ready. It is common to see clients who initially come for backache, headaches etc where the underlying problem is rooted in the psyche.
Acupuncture is a powerful and valuable therapy for many and can help to create the shift necessary to change and move us on.
Many women seek acupuncture during pregnancy. This drug-free treatment offers women an excellent alternative when seeking relief for the various problems that can sometimes occur during pregnancy and childbirth.
Pre-birth acupuncture is recommended weekly from 36 weeks onwards. As long ago as 1974 pre-birth acupuncture was recognized as a useful addition to the usual antenatal care (Kubista & Kucera, 1974). Their research concluded that acupuncture once a week from 37 weeks was successful in reducing the mean labour time of the women treated.
Further research by Betts & Lennox (2004) found that pre-birth acupuncture appeared to provide some promising therapeutic benefits in helping women to achieve normal vaginal births.
Breech presentation: moxibustion is often used to attempt to turn breech babies. Sarah Budd was one of the first midwives to establish an acupuncture clinic in a maternity unit in the UK and reported success with the use of moxibustion for cephalic version in breech presentation (Budd, (2000). There have been promising clinical studies including one in Italy which observed that moxibustion increased foetal activity during the treatment period, and cephalic presentation, aswell as at delivery (Cardini & Weixin, 1998).
Betts D, Lennox S. (2006). Acupuncture for prebirth treatment: An observational study of its use in midwifery practice. Medical acupuncture; 17(3):17- 20
Budd S. (2000) Moxibustion for breech presentation. Complementary therapies in nursing and midwifery 6(4): 176-9.
Cardini, F., and Weixin, H., (1998). Moxibustion for correction of breech presentation: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the Medical Association. 280 (18): 1580-4
Kubista E, Kucera H. (1974). Geburtshilfe Perinatol 178 224-9.
I have recently begun to explore the power of Medicinal Mushrooms. I have just attended a Mushroom conference with many experts in this field sharing their knowledge of Fungi & their healing properties.
They really are astounding and offer significant therapeutic benefits in many areas, with a growing amount of scientific research to back this up.
This area of natural health is very exciting and I hope to stock some Medicinal Mushroom products in the near future.
More info to follow ………
Many of us take our health for granted until there is a problem. Moving about freely and with ease is the job of a beautifully designed musculo-skeletal system.
Aches and pains such as backache, knee pain, hips and shoulders are often left until they become a hinderance on day to day life, often accompanied with headaches and low mood due to the restrictions they put on our ability to live life to the full.
Acupuncture has a great deal to offer in the treatment of these problems. Techniques often provide effective relief on their own as well as being valuable adjuncts to other forms of treatment such as osteopathy or physiotherapy.
Please get in touch if you would like to explore Acupuncture as a way to alleviate your symptoms.
alisonsmith 027@googlemail.com
The Initial Consultation: At the first consultation you will be asked detailed questions about your condition and general health, as well as information about your medical history and lifestyle. Your tongue will be examined (please do not brush it before your appointment) and your pulses will be felt. This is to build up a comprehensive picture of you and will help to formulate a more accurate diagnosis, leading to a unique selection of acupuncture points.
Before your Treatment: Avoid alcohol, coffee and foods or drinks that may stain your tongue. Please make sure you have had something light to eat before attending and wear loose clothing if possible.
After your Treatment: After receiving acupuncture you may feel relaxed and calm, some people feel a little lightheaded. It is advisable to avoid alcohol on this day and not to plan anything too strenuous for a few hours after your treatment.
Is Acupuncture Safe? Acupuncture is one of the safest medical treatments, both conventional and complementary, on offer in the UK. Fine needles are for single use which have been sterilised and pre-packed and are disposed of after each use. There are very few side effects from acupuncture when practised by a fully qualified practitioner of Traditional Acupuncture. Any minor side effects that do occur, such as dizziness or bruising around needle points, are mild and self-correcting.
Can you use Acupuncture with conventional medicine? The integration of Acupuncture is safe when used alongside conventional medicine. It is essential that you inform your acupuncturist of any medication you are taking and any relevant medical history, such as high blood pressure. This is important as it may affect your response to the acupuncture treatment. If you are currently under the care of your doctor it is sensible to mention that you are planning to have any complementary therapies including acupuncture.
Does Acupuncture Hurt? It is important to know that acupuncture needles bear no resemblance to hypodermic needles with some only slightly thicker than human hair. In most instances the procedure is almost painless, although a dull heavy sensation is sometimes felt around the area that has been needled. Many people find the experience extremely relaxing and can even fall asleep during the treatment.
If you have any concerns or queries please feel free to contact me.