It is believed that Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used since 1200 B.C. In China, traditional 'barefoot doctors' used the theory and practice of Chinese medicine to maintain health rather than treat illness.

One of the first medical texts, 'The Huang Di Nei Jing' (The Yellow Emperor's Medical Classic) dates back to its earliest roots. Since this time, Doctors and scholars have refined and expanded these theories, through experience and observation.

Chinese medicine does not separate mind and body in the same way that Western medicine often does, and this is very much how I treat.

Chinese medicine views illness in terms of the interplay of 'yin and yang' energies, movement of qi (very hard to define, but akin to all forms of energy), bodily substances and pathogenic factors. Looking holistically at your signs and symptoms enables me to establish the key issues of your problem, linking them together to provide a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan. This involves taking a full medical history during the initial consultation.

There are numerous studies demonstrating the effecttiveness of acupuncture for a variety of conditions, and acupuncture is increasingly being used by the NHS. It may even be possible to pay for your treatment using private medical insurance. You will need to check with your insurance provider, and possibly ask your GP for a referral.