Paediatric Acupuncture Clinic Now Open

Last week Sunny started further training in paediatric acupuncture, with Rebecca Avern‘s paediatric acupuncture diploma. This in depth course looks at the theory and practice of acupuncture childhood illness, from babies to teens. As a mother, Sunny can see the enormous potential acupuncture provides for children and parents alike.

Techniques such as Shonishin can be taught to parents, so that treatment can be continued at home. Shonishin is a method of stroking down the meridians, as opposed to needling them. This is possible for children as their meridian system is still forming and so can be influenced with much gentler techniques. As parents we have all seen how quickly a child becomes unwell, or how quickly their emotions change. This is an expression of the changeable nature of children, their constant growth, and why treatment need only be gentle. In addition we can use gentle cupping, gua sha and needling techniques (with needles being removed as quickly as they are inserted and only very few – if children are willing). 

The clinic is now open to babies, younger children and teenagers. More information on acupuncture for children can be found here. Contact Sunny to find out more.

Wednesday 23^rd September marks the autumn equinox, the astronomical start of autumn. Day and night are reaching equal length, an event that will take place on Friday 25th September. Autumn is the most bountiful month of the year, with many fruits and vegetables reaching maturity. It is also the season of change when the yang energy pivots to yin, from the active to the passive phase. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has its roots in Daoism, which emphasises seasonal attunement and the understanding that humans are a part of nature. According to TCM theory, autumn is the season of the lung. The windy season brings respiratory illness, with our lungs needing more support to ward off illness. We also see conditions affecting the chest, upper abdomen, shoulders upper back and skin become more prevalent. As the weather turns, so do emotions and we may notice sadness or depression. 

We can help ourselves by focusing on calm, regulating our emotions, conserving our energy, and breathing well. In practice, this looks like going to sleep earlier, slowing down in the day and not over scheduling ourselves (or our children). Breath work and activities that regulate our nervous systems, like acupuncture, walking and yoga. Lastly, nourishing our bodies by eating seasonally and switching from the cold raw foods of summer, to warm cooked foods such as soups, stews and warm drinks.

With all that said, there is so much information out here on the web. Listen to your intuition, your interoception and keep it simple 🙂

Patients often speak about their experiences of acupuncture treatment. A comment I hear frequently is: “It helped… but it could have just been placebo.” But is acupuncture solely down to the placebo effect? 

What does the evidence say?

The gold standard of research evidence are systematic reviews, which look at a number of high-quality clinical trials to assess the research on a particular topic. In healthcare they can be used to answer questions of efficacy and inform evidence-based treatments. 

A recent systematic review, Vickers et al 2018, looked at acupuncture for chronic pain in over 20,000 adults. This included back or neck pain, shoulder pain, chronic headache and osteoarthritis. It concludes that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of chronic pain, the effects persist over a 12-month period, and that it is not a placebo treatment for pain.

Understanding placebo in acupuncture research

In clinical trials, placebo is defined as an inert substance prepared to look similar to the active product being studied. However, the placebo used in many acupuncture trials may not be inert. For example, when acupuncture is compared to sham acupuncture which uses penetrating needles, the effect size is reduced. This is due to the sham acupuncture being physiologically active. Instead, by comparing acupuncture to other treatments (pragmatic trials), such as usual care or physiotherapy we can start to see a different picture emerging, one that shows acupuncture to be a safe and effective treatment.

Acupuncture is an evidence-based medicine

The evidence base for acupuncture is growing and demonstrates that acupuncture is not a placebo treatment. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) include acupuncture in their guidelines for treatment of headaches in over 12s and chronic pain (primary and secondary) in over 16s. If you would like to learn more about acupuncture research, please visit the British Acupuncture Council’s guide on acupuncture research and the Evidence Based Acupuncture website.

Curious about whether acupuncture may help you?

You’re always welcome to get in touch. Sunny is happy to talk through what’s involved, what the research shows and whether acupuncture might be a suitable treatment option for your individual circumstances.

Available to purchase via email or in person (last day 20th Dec). These can be posted out, collected from the clinic and e-vouchers are also available. Paypal, bank transfer, cash or card payment options.

Acupuncture Gift Vouchers

Facial Acupuncture Gift Voucher Offer

£85 (usually £95 for the first treatment, £65 for follow-ups)
A natural and non-toxic facial to improve the appearance and elasticity of skin, including fine lines. A relaxing treatment that will leave your skin glowing.

‘Tis the season! Celebrations and gatherings. Rich food and drink. Coupled with a long school term and the approach of winter solstice with it’s long nights and short days. Exhaustion and burnout on the horizon.

This is my experience as a mother with a young child at school. As an acupuncturist treating children and adults. As an observer of the world.

How can we better look after ourselves? I believe it helps to have an appreciation for nature and its immense influence over us. For the dark seasons, short days and long cold nights, there’s an opposition between the need to rest, to hibernate and the expectation to work and play a little harder. 

Teachers, mothers and fathers of young children, teenagers – whoever you are that is pulled by these opposing forces – be gentle with yourself and the little ones you care for. Listen to your intuition.

Perhaps take the time to reenergise and connect by being out in nature. Ideally first thing in the morning… Check out this insightful podcast from the Live Better podcast with Dr Chatterjee and Andrew Huberman: “Exposure to morning light is key to optimum human functioning Ideally first thing in the morning.”

And finally, although it’s a cliche and hard during the festivities, try to eat well including a diverse array of plant foods and warm meals to counteract the cold. I can recommend @ZOE for tips on healthier eating habits and delicious recipes.

Wishing you a rest and rejuvenation 🙂

Affordable Acupuncture

It can sometimes feel difficult to be positive with all of the doom and gloom, wars and the cost if living crisis to name but a few… stress levels increase and chronic illness abounds. As the NHS struggles with a growing number of patients with multiple and chronic health conditions, there is huge scope for registered acupuncturists to be a part of the solution.

I’ve been thinking for some time about the best way to make acupuncture treatments affordable and accessible for all.

Introducing Sliding Scale Acupuncture Treatments

My standard charge for each appointment is £55 as this covers not only my time, but also my outgoings (e.g. needles, hygiene equipment, heating costs to name a few).

I do however recognise that times are tough, and I have therefore put together a pricing structure of your to pay what you can afford.

£55 if you can afford to and I will be very grateful 🙂

If this price proves a barrier to you receiving treatment then I can be flexible down to £50 or £45 to help you get the care you need when you need it. You will receive exactly the same treatment.

In the Works: Low Cost Multi-bed Clinic

This brings me to my next idea – a multibed clinic, where several patients are treated together at the same time in a large room. It means acupuncture treatments are much more affordable (roughly £20 per treatment for about 40 mins of treatment).

Initially I would run the clinic for anyone experiencing chronic pain, however in the future this would extend to mental health too. But I need YOUR help!

Do you know of any locations in and around St Neots with a large room, able to fit at least 3 treatment tables, and with storage for those treatment tables (the portable fold-down type).

Do you know of anyone selling an old portable treatment tables?

Your help would be greatly appreciated!

Treating children’s mental health is something I am particularly passionate about having had firsthand experience. 1 in 6 young people in England (aged 5 to 16) experienced a mental health problem in 2020, increasing from 1 in 9 in 2017 (NHS Digital, 2020).

Have you ever considered acupuncture treatment for children? Perhaps the idea of using needles on your precious one is a worry for you. However, acupuncture has been found to be safer than many drugs and other procedures used in the treatment of children (Jindal, et al 2008). 

As a mother of a 5 year old with a needle phobia, I can assure you that a) the needles are painless and gentle and  b) needles aren’t always necessary. We can use alternatives such as tapping and stroking of acupuncture points with special devices developed for the treatment of children.

The following case study refers to 8-year-old Kiera, treated by acupuncturist Sahar Hooti BSc (Hons) for anxiety. Kiera presented to her GP with debilitating digestive issues, which after several clinical appointments and investigations left her GP and paediatrician confused. She was diagnosed with IBS – although as a child she is considered too young for this formal diagnosis – and advised that she would grow out of it.

Kiera’s mum Louise was desperate to help her daughter as the condition was affecting school attendance and many areas of her life. Louise’s sister suggested she try acupuncture. Kiera’s paediatrician was also an advocate of acupuncture.

Louise says of their acupuncturist: “Sahar seemed able to identify, unpick and ultimately, treat, the emotional aspects of Keira’s condition. So, as well as helping to ‘clear’ her anxiety issues, we started to see real improvements in her physical symptoms, too.” 

Of her treatment Kiera says, “For me, it has definitely changed my life.” 

You can read the full case study here: Anxiety case study.

As the above case study shows, anxiety and many other mental health issues can have a physical component too. This is something that acupuncture is great at identifying and treating. Individual symptoms are part of a bigger picture, involving many aspects of health.

As a mother I understand how to engage and listen to a child; how it can be scary for them; how to speak to them with empathy, respect and with language they can understand. I treat my children’s sleep problems (difficulty falling asleep, night terrors), tummy aches linked to constipation and loose stools and teething pains to name but a few. I have treated children in my clinic for digestive issues, anxiety and pain. 

Can you think of anything acupuncture could help your children with? Do you have any questions about treatment?

For a free no obligations phone consultation please email or call me to book a time. You can find more information about paediatric acupuncture here.

I am excited to be back from maternity leave. I am currently taking acupuncture bookings for Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Eaton Ford St Neots clinic. The clinic is a purpose built log cabin, which is accessed from the garden with its own private entrance. I have worked to create a tranquil and comfortable space – I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do!

Whilst away I have made a wonderful little girl, now 9 months old. I have also completed a course in scalp acupuncture, which I use alongside traditional acupuncture when called for. I am currently undertaking a paediatric acupuncture course too, so if you have children watch this space.

I look forward to treating you in 2023 🙂

Schedule an Appointment

Book appointment