Integrative Approach

Would you like more sleep, less pain, better digestion, to feel more relaxed, to think more clearly and to have more energy? More and more people are turning to acupuncture as experience and research shows that it can effectively and safely treat a wide range of common health problems. Acupuncture is also now recommended by the NHS as a way to manage many chronic primary pain conditions, and can be a very effective way to address issues that are not responding well to medication alone. 

I practice TCM acupuncture (also known as syndrome acupuncture) - the leading type of acupuncture practised in China which is based on the complete system of theories in Chinese Medicine including trigger point needling.

HOW IT WORKS

Essential energy (Qi) flows through your body with your blood and along discreet pathways known as acupuncture meridians. According to Chinese Medicine, if you are ill in any way then this can be caused by or lead to stagnation in the flow of Qi in your body. Acupuncture uses micro fine needles inserted along special points along the meridians in order to clear these blockages and stimulate the flow of Qi. This begins to reverse the pattern of illness and helps the body to cure itself. 

Brain scans have shown that acupuncture stimulates a brain response which leads to the release of powerful neurotransmitters to help pain relief and affect mood.  This is only a small part of what acupuncture can achieve and more scientific studies are ongoing to try to explain the way acupuncture works from a Western scientific viewpoint.

There are many benefits to receiving acupuncture, for example in the case if arthritis, it can:

• Reduce inflammation 
• Relax muscles and fascia
• Regulate serum cortisol levels
• Stimulate nerves located in muscles and other tissues
• Stimulate the release of endorphins and other neurochemical messenger molecules that change the processing of pain in the brain and spinal cor  
• Increasing local blood and Qi circulation
• Disperse swelling.   

HOW IT CAN HELP YOU

Acupuncture sessions can promote general well-being as well as addressing specific issues. These may include: stress, insomnia, mood regulation, back pain, neck & shoulder pain, joint pains, as well as menopausal syndrome, and painful or irregular periods. In addition the NHS body NICE now recommends acupuncture as a way to manage many chronic primary pain conditions, including: migraines and headaches, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome, lower back pain & sciatica, neuropathic pain and also arthritis. 

TCM acupuncture and shiatsu incorporate physical, emotional and psychological factors into one view of the whole body. They also take into account external factors such as your lifestyle and environment. All this information is then combined to understand your individual pattern of illness. Your treatment will be tailored to reverse this pattern and bring you back to a state of good healt

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR APPOINTMENT

Following an initial verbal consultation, BAF registered acupuncturist Helen Trill will work with you to understand your symptoms of health disharmony. This information is used to form a diagnosis and plan for treatment.  The acupuncture point combinations chosen are based upon many centuries of well documented clinical use and refinement and also Helen’s own experience in the practice of acupuncture, and are adjusted as your treatments progress if appropriate. When treatment begins, fine sterile needles are inserted into the carefully selected acupuncture points. I sometimes use a new generation of electric needle stimulators. Electro-acupuncture is a safe method of providing sustained gentle needle stimulation throughout the course of the treatment. Massage techniques and cupping therapy may also be incorporated into the treatments.

Appointments last 40-60 mins including consultation, diagnosis and treatment. Helen will then suggest a treatment plan to address your health problems or injury. She may also suggest some things you can do to help yourself inbetween the treatments. 

Shiatsu is a Japanese form of physical therapy blending advanced acupressure with energy work. It is used throughout the world and is is largely based on the theories of Chinese and Japanese medicine. It is therefore a great complement to an acupuncture treatment, as well as a stand-alone treatment. 

I use my hands, elbows and knees with Qi projection on specific acupuncture points along the meridians, with stretching and rotations to stimulate wellness and self-regulating functions in the body.   

My shiatsu treatments are particularly favoured by people with health conditions that render them quite sensitive to touch, as shiatsu is very gentle yet still very effective. Many patients report that following a course of treatments they feel significantly more relaxed, sleep better, feel less tense, have less pain and feel more at ease in themselves.   

Cupping therapy involves the placing of either glass or plastic cups onto the skin. Suction is then created using an inspirator. Cupping helps to clear the local build-up of waste products and toxins by bringing them to the surface from deeper within the layers or fat, muscle and fascia, and creates a temporary circular bruise-like appearance. The treatment is not painful however, and many people quite like the unusual feeling  of it. The marks indicate stagnation that has been transported from deeper tissue layers up to the surface. This allows fresh blood to  enter, nourish and heal the underlying areas. For this reason it is  increasingly used by professional athletes such as swimmers to aid recovery after training and competitions. The colour of bruise  produced depends on the level and type of stagnation, deficiency or injury in the area. The intensity of bruising gradually decreases with subsequent  treatments as the tissues are cleared and toxins systemically removed  and the blood supply refreshed. 

Cupping is also used by people who have chronic back pain, arthritis, musculoskeletal fatigue, asthma, poor circulation and stagnation. 

Sports massage was developed to help athletes prepare their bodies for optimal performance, recover after a big event, and function well during training.   Sports can be repetitive, especially for runners, cyclists, racquet sports players and weightlifters.  

Helen mostly uses some sports massage techniques to compliment an acupuncture session, as working 'hands on' for injuries or back pain for example also helps her to assess and identify areas that need acupuncture treatment or cupping. While sports massage is great for those who play sports, you don’t have to be an athlete to benefit from a sports massage. Helen has also received additional training in the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, therefore during the consultation she may perform certain tests to assess your condition.

Helen uses a number of different techniques including: effleurage; friction; petrissage; vibration; shaking; compression; broadening strokes; trigger point massage; cross-fiber friction; range of motion; myofascial release, stretching and lymphatic massage. 

Sports massage can also be beneficial for anyone with injuries, chronic pain, or restricted range of motion. It can help: 

• Heal injuries to the muscles and connective tissues (fascia)
• Reduce the chance of injury through proper stretching deep tissue massage  
• Improve range of motion and flexibility  
• Maximize the supply of nutrients and oxygen by increasing blood flow  
• Enhance elimination of toxins that build up from exercise through lymphatic drainage