Sunday is for Sleep

Acupuncture Awareness Week 2017

Many people report their sleep improves within just a few sessions of acupuncture. Tina came for treatment after years of problems with her sleep which started during menopause. She was unable to fall asleep quickly, and would often wake up and be unable to fall back to sleep. In addition Tina was suffering with hot flushes. After undertaking a course of acupuncture treatment over 3 months, Tina was finally able to sleep peacefully, improving her energy levels, mood, clarity of thought and reducing her hot flushes.

Are you suffering with insomnia? Try acupuncture with 50% off for Acupuncture Awareness Week!*

Appointments available in Letchworth, Hertfordshire & West Norwood, South London 

*Treatments must be booked by 13/03/2017

Friday is for FertilityAcupuncture Awareness Week 2017

Fiona came for acupuncture treatment for fertility. Both her and her partner’s medical fertility tests came back as normal. As an acupuncturist with a nutritional qualification, I asked Fiona to complete a diet diary to find out where improvements could be made. Fiona changed her diet as per the recommendations and had weekly acupuncture treatments for 7 weeks. By her 7^th session Fiona was pregnant and feeling happy and healthy.

Watch this video for more successful acupuncture fertility stories.

Are you trying to conceive? Perhaps you want to increase your chances of successful IVF treatment?* Try acupuncture with 50% off for Acupuncture Awareness Week!*

Appointments available in Letchworth, Hertfordshire and St Neots, Cambridgeshire.

*Treatments must be booked by 13/03/2017

Thursday is for Tension HeadachesAcupuncture Awareness Week 2017

Anna chose acupuncture for tension headaches and chest pain due to anxiety which were occurring almost every day due to a stressful work situation. In addition, she was feeling frustrated and unable to think clearly. The chest pain improved after just 1 treatment. By her 4^th treatment, the headaches were already reducing, and by the 8^th they had gone completely. Anna felt she was able to cope better with her mood and felt clearer in her thoughts.

Acupuncture is effective for treating chronic tension headaches. Try acupuncture with 50% off for Acupuncture Awareness Week!*

Appointments available in St Neots and Letchworth Garden City.

*Treatments must be booked by 13/03/2017

Wednesday is for Wellbeing

Acupuncture Awareness Week 2017

As an acupuncturist the condition I treat the most is mental wellbeing. Often people will visit me due to anxiety, stress or depression. Just as frequently people visit for other conditions which often have their roots in mental wellbeing. The great thing about acupuncture is that I can treat wellbeing and other conditions at the same time. Feedback I often hear from patients is “I feel less anxious”, “I feel like I have more clarity” and “I feel like I am coping better”.

Of course if there is a particular issue causing such feelings then acupuncture can be complemented by counselling. In a study by MacPherson et al (2013) both acupuncture and counselling produced significantly better results than usual care.

Are you feeling stressed, anxious, depressed or feeling overwhelmed with life’s demands? Acupuncture is a great way to take some time out for yourself to relax. Try acupuncture with 50% off for Acupuncture Awareness Week!*

Appointments available in St Neots, Cabridgeshire and Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire.

*Treatments must be booked by 13/03/2017

Tuesday is for Teenagers with Tummy Pain

Acupuncture Awareness Week 2017

Billy, an 11 year old, came for acupuncture treatment suffering with tummy pain, nausea and headaches. He had been examined by his GP who had found nothing wrong. The first thing to improve was his headaches, which were often accompanied by a feeling of frustration. By his 4th treatment the tummy pain and nausea had also improved. Treatment duration was shorter than for an adult to accommodate a teenage boy who might find it hard to sit still, and while Billy was a little nervous during his first appointment, when he realised how gentle the treatments where he soon became an acupuncture pro.

Children and adolescents under 16 are always accompanied by parents or guardians for their treatments. Want to find out more? 

Monday is for Migraines

Acupuncture Awareness Week 2017

Lucy came to see me suffering from migraines, a condition which came on suddenly and left her with constant and severe dizziness, painful headaches and anxiety, meaning she was unable to work. She had a course of acupuncture treatment, and by the 6^th treatment her condition had improved greatly. Lucy is back at work and only occasionally suffers with mild dizziness, while her migraines have gone completely.

Have you been affected by migraines? Acupuncture can help.

Appointments available in Letchworth, Hertfordshire and St Neots, Cambrideshire.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, premenstrual tension (PMT) also known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in the time leading up to your menstrual cycle may be caused by stagnation of Qi. Here are some tips to move your Qi and prevent mood swings, irritability, breast distension and bloating:

• Exercise: anything you enjoy – yoga, Pilates, qi gong, swimming, running – to move your Qi and clear stagnation.

• A balanced diet: avoid caffeine, alcohol and sugary foods which may cause peaks and troughs, exacerbating mood swings and irritability. Limit salt intake to prevent bloating. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and ‘pungent’ foods such as basil, coriander and peppermint. Ensure portion sizes are not too big and chew your food thoroughly!

• Complementary therapies such as massage, reflexology or acupuncture: If you feel like the tips above are not working you may need a helping hand. Massage works in a similar way to exercise, moving Qi when it may be stuck. Tell your practitioner if you have any pain. Abdominal massage may be particularly beneficial at this time. Reflexology and acupuncture work on the meridians of the body to move Qi.
• Remember that PMT is not always caused by Qi stagnation. If you feel like the above tips are not helpful or make you feel worse, seek the advice of a TCM practitioner.

Want to find out more? Contact Sunny. Clinics in St Neots and Letchworth.

Fed up of feeling unwell?

Do you keep getting colds, bugs and flus? Aromatherapy massage and reflexology can help!

If you think your immune system may need a helping hand there are a number of things you can try. It is a well-known that stress inhibits the immune system, so your first step should be to reduce stress levels.

By bringing the body into a deep state of relaxation, both reflexology and aromatherapy massage can be beneficial. Aromatherapy massage has the added benefit of essential oils, which are excellent immune system boosters. My favourites for treating coughs, colds, catarrh, sinus and flu are basil, ginger and lavender.

In addition, supplements and changes to diet may help to support you through times of illness. Healthly living tips, such as diet, exercise and sleep are discussed during your treatment.

Regular treatments aid the healing process and allow the body and mind to regain a calmer and more balanced rhythm. Think these treatments may be of benefit to you? 

Want to find out more? Contact Sunny. Clinics in St Neots and Letchworth.

One of the most common complaints people seek treatment for is back pain, shoulder pain and neck pain. In fact more sick days are taken due to pain than any other ailment. Why do so many of us suffer with these conditions and what can we do to manage and prevent them?

Many of the people I treat are office workers, often sitting for long hours and working at computers. Poor posture, poor office ergonomics and working without breaks is a recipe for pain. This type of injury is often classed as a repetitive strain injury (or RSI) and may also include the hand, wrist, forearm and elbow. These problems may arise in any situation (not just at a desk) where bad posture is sustained.

Back, shoulder or neck pain can also be caused by depression, anxiety and stress. Sometimes there is no clear cause of pain. However, it still remains a very real problem that needs treatment.

Tips for Easing Pain

• Maintain correct sitting posture when working at your computer.
• Ensure the top of your screen is at eye level so you head is in a neutral position. If you work at a laptop then consider using a laptop riser.
• Elbows should have a 90-degree bend so that the tops of your arms are relaxed by your side, with your keyboard and mouse within easy and comfortable reach. Laptop users consider using an external keyboard.
• Feet should be flat on the floor (use a footrest if they do not reach) and knees and hips should have a 90-degree bend.
• Sit upright in a relaxed posture, using cushions to support your lower back if needed.
• Take regular breaks – use this as an excuse to keep yourself hydrated.
• Manage stress, depression and anxiety with self-care. Talk to your GP if you need help and consider other treatment methods such as acupuncture and counselling.

How can acupuncture help?

Acupuncture is great for easing pain. It is recommended by NICE for chronic pain, one of only four treatments recommended! Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment, which uses slim, sterile and painless needles to gently encourage the body’s ability to heal itself. Acupuncture treatments include massage, cupping and heat therapy such as moxibustion or heat lamps if appropriate. Each treatment lasts an hour, and a course of 6 treatments is recommended. 

Want to find out more?

Natural ways to cope with the winter blues

As Autumn closes in and grey skies prevail, it seems appropriate to focus on light and how this affects our mood and health. We’ve all heard of the term ‘the winter blues’ but how many of us understand what this means?

There are many factors contributing to what is termed ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’ by the medical community, a condition whereby an individual experiences depression in the colder winter months of the year.

Firstly, lack of bright light means that the production of melatonin and serotonin are limited, these are produced when light hits the retinas in our eyes, which then sends a signal to the brain. Serotonin is our feel good chemical and melatonin regulates our sleep rhythms. Therefore a lack of these chemicals will lead to low mood and problems with wakefulness.

Vitamin D deficiency can also lead to problems during the colder months, with vitamin D being absent through the sun’s ray between the months of October to March, when they are not of the necessary wavelength to produce Vitamin D upon contact with our skin.  An overwhelming 25% of the population are thought to be Vitamin D deficient, and recent studies are showing just how many systems in our body this can affect.

All of this poor lighting can leave you feeling depressed, stressed, anxious, lacking in energy and generally not your usual self. So what can you do to beat the blues? Below is list of suggestions that may help you feel brighter over this cold season…

• Light therapy – Using a light box lamp is a good way to ensure you’re receiving enough light for melatonin and serotonin production. They come in many shapes and sizes, and you’ll need to ensure you find one from a reputable seller.  Lumie light boxes are certified by the Medical Devices Directive and can be found at www.lumie.com. Watch out for the cheaper imitations which aren’t bright enough to produce the desired effect.
• Vitamin D supplementation – During the months of October to March when we don’t receive Vitamin D from the sun it’s a good idea to supplement, especially if you are deficient. Visit your GP to have your Vitamin D levels checked and think about supplementation
• Acupuncture can be helpful for managing conditions such as depression and stress. Many of clients come for treatment due to these very problems and find acupuncture helps them to cope and feel better. Regular treatment is recommended to get you back on track.

Want to find out more? Contact Sunny. Clinics in St Neots and Letchworth.