Hi everyone,
Here I make a return again with these articles before the quiet period of Winter. This holiday season is always a time that I find deeply inspirational. But if I am honest, Autumn is a season that I often struggle with.
So many ghosts (from the past) come to visit, that it can be truly overwhelming. But there is hope!
Today I wish to talk about how we can find hope both by the recognition of our human condition and by the grace of needles. :)

The Channel of a Bright Future

In Chinese Medicine, we often refer to the meridians (channels) as a fixed set of tools with equal importance within our toolbox. Yet they are much more than that.

Channels are energetically living entities within us that allow our mind and body to connect to one another, and everything else beyond our understanding (beyond the ‘I’). 

They also have a sort of hierarchy which is based on time and space.

The Eight Extraordinary Meridians are the ones formed first, and those which lie deepest to our core.

One of these channels is called Yang Wei Mai (Yang linking vessel). It brings a fascinating purpose within our development. Its function is related to how we perceive the future based on our experiences of the past.

What is even more interesting is that it has a message. Which is, if we focus our efforts in the right places, life can be bright, and full of optimism for the future.

It organises all Yang within the body with a special notion to our protective energies (Wei qi).

I like to refer to these as troops within the body and the mind. When we are mentally stable and physically healthy, these troops wait at the border (where pathogens may enter), waiting to be dispatched. They also retire inward towards the evening, so they can rest.

What happens when we allow chaos to reign our troops against our best wishes?

When we experience something physically or mentally traumatic (especially in early childhood), these troops can get stuck with very old orders, such as ‘be vigilant, as an attack is incoming any minute’.

Thus, the mind never rests. It creates unnecessary tension internally (which, over time, can translate into autoimmune conditions) and may also create illusory scenarios to which the troops are dispatched.

Worry and control: A common example of this is worrying about a possible future scenario. This worry often creates conflict not just in our minds but also between us and others. Pre-mediating a fight that is solely based on our own fears. These heavy feelings give birth to a desperate need for control. Which leads to further and further discontent and aggression.
Another example of what we may call the “Future disease”  is the inability for someone to take steps towards (a brighter) future. We can get so stuck in our view of life, like we have already ‘decided’ how it is going to play out.

Passivity and victim-hood: People with such personality traits often take a passive stand in life, in which things keeps happening ‘to them’. This sort of victim mentality creates an illusion of a ‘set future’ which may feel comforting for those who have gone through traumatic experiences.
Yet it is the anchor which prevents people from taking agency in their lives by finding the slightest bit of momentum, which could result in a mountain of change in the long run.

Going back to the troop analogy, when our General (the Liver) and the Empress (Heart) have lost their vision and clarity, these troops scatter or accumulate in different places. Often resulting in fighting themselves (autoimmune and inflammatory conditions). 

How can we turn things around for the better?

One way to counteract this chaotic state is to ascertain our priorities in the given moment.

Yang Wei Mai is also a channel associated with purpose. As it has the ability to ascertain where our troops are needed the most. Thus, setting priorities becomes an essential aspect of anchoring, centring and focusing the mind in the prospect of supporting the body in moving out of a state of dis-ease.

Pro tip: when you find yourself spiralling downwards, remember that spiralling already has given you a momentum. You are already doing, it's just not the kind of doing that will lift you up. All you need is a little nudge to change the direction. Upward we go when we bring to mind our priorities (or purpose in life) and start acting on it. It does not have to be a massive leap. It can be enough to decide to go out and get a breath of fresh air. Change brings freshness. In that momentum we can brainstorm new ideas. As long as we keep going, there is hope for a brighter tomorrow. 

Realistically speaking, making the right decision can change your experience (of the present moment) in a split second. How can you make your next hour of life marginally more pleasant?

In Acupuncture we have an amazing opportunity to directly connect with this deep aspect of our psychosomatic being, which can bring forth purpose, optimism and excitement for the future.
When we activate the Yang Wei Mai, we simply bring it into a more open state. We vibrate the channel so it comes alive to be more resonant with our priorities.

Of course, it is not magic. Change requires an immense amount of honesty. To really see ourselves (with the help of others) as clearly as possible. To see when we have the opportunity to act on our priorities, and to kindly make the decision which brings us onto an upward cycle. 
We all deserve to live out our lives in a way that brings us closer and closer to our purpose.

What are your priorities for the week?

Curious to set priorities that will support you through this festive season?
Come and see me for an acupuncture treatment.
Simply drop an email with your availability if interested.
I am also offering -reduced rate- Online sessions where we can dive deeper into your beliefs and systems, which are (hopefully) supporting you all year around.

Pregnancy is an extraordinary journey, a milestone and the beginning of one of life’s most exciting transitions. It is such a privilege to treat women at this time of their lives often through enormous change - physical, mental and emotional. Acupuncture offers effective, time honoured treatment which I frequently combine with massage. It is medication-free, very safe and can be used at all stages of pregnancy.

When do women come for treatment?
Over the years I’ve treated women through every stage of pregnancy, including midwives, sometimes starting right from the first positive test after fertility support, up to the onset of labour. I most commonly see women in the first trimester and then leading up to the birth:

• First Trimester: This can be a particularly challenging time, marked by fatigue, often nausea, sometimes with vomiting, and for women with a history of pregnancy loss there may be added concerns.  It is often compounded by wanting to keep the pregnancy under wraps while juggling work and other responsibilities. Many women find acupuncture especially helpful for both physical relief and emotional support.
• Second Trimester: Often described as the “easiest” phase, many women feel well during this time, and it is often an ideal time to start local antenatal exercise classes, like yoga or pilates, and take a break from acupuncture. Other women may start to come for treatment during this time as the aches and pains, particularly in the pelvis and lower back can begin to niggle or may be much more disruptive.
• Third Trimester: With the baby growing, aches and pains can continue to be an issue for some. Then as the birth approaches the whole focus naturally shifts. In the last weeks I tend to see women mainly for birth preparation  but also to encourage breech babies to turn.

What can acupuncture treat
Acupuncture can help with a wide range of pregnancy-related issues, including these well researched issues, which we’ll explore in more detail below:

• Morning sickness and fatigue in early pregnancy
• Pelvic and lower back pain
• Anxiety, depression and emotional overwhelm
• Turning Breech Babies
• Birth preparation

The list is far from exhaustive and women often seek treatment for conditions, unrelated to pregnancy, for which they do not want to take medication. Please do get in touch if you are wondering if acupuncture can help you.

Easing Morning Sickness
Feelings of nausea may follow hot on the heels of the celebratory news of a positive pregnancy.  Some women find that snacking regularly is enough to keep the nausea at bay but at the other extreme some women can barely tolerate water and crackers and may also be vomiting. Staying well hydrated is important but that can be difficult. It can be relentless and a miserable struggle from one day to the next. Acupuncture offers a calming, way to help ease nausea which should also settle naturally as the pregnancy progresses.

Relief for Lower Back and Pelvic Pain
As your baby grows so does the pressure on your body especially the pelvis. Pelvic girdle pain, felt in the lower back, hips, and pubic area, often begins in the second or third trimester and may make it difficult to walk, sleep, or even get comfortable sitting down. Acupuncture helps by improving blood flow, reducing inflammation and can help to relax tight muscles, sometimes alongside some gentle massage. Women typically report improved mobility, reduced pain, and a greater sense of ease after treatment.

Turning Breech Babies (start at around 34 weeks)
For babies in breech position there is a simple treatment that can encourage them to flip round into the head down position.  Timing is important as the baby will have less room to manoeuvre later. It involves warming a point on the little toe (Bladder 67) with a dried herb called moxa. I teach women or their partners to do it themselves and supply enough moxa sticks for them to do it at home daily for 10 days. It is supported by research and is a gentle, non-invasive option, so worth trying as it can help to make the birth more straightforward.
It is not suitable for everyone and there are some important safety caveats so don't try this without professional guidance.

Birth Preparation (start at 36 weeks)
These weekly sessions which I like to start at about 36 weeks aim to soften the cervix, balance hormones, relax the pelvic muscles and ligaments and encourage the baby to descend into the optimal position. Some studies suggest that pre-birth acupuncture may reduce the need for medical interventions, such as inductions, epidurals or c-sections and reduce the time in active labour.

I combine body and ear acupuncture, with warmth and massage along the acupuncture channels, focussing on the legs, hips, lower back and sacrum. Some gentle rhythmic hip rocking can also help to open up the pelvic girdle and relax mind and body. Importantly, it helps calm the mind during those last few busy weeks of maybe finishing work and preparation, and the transition to a peaceful, cosy, nesting state of mind ready to give birth. These are really chilled out sessions.

The birth prep treatments build on one another and the benefits have been shown when started early enough.  Starting treatment at 40+ weeks ahead of a possible induction is unlikely to have the same effectiveness and benefits.

Research and Additional Information
 I am very honoured to be a member of the Acupuncture Childbirth Team (ACT London). We are a group of dedicated, specialist acupuncture practitioners treating male and female fertility and women through pregnancy. We share knowledge, experience and keep our skills up to date with regular meetings and speaker presentations from consultants, midwives and other specialists.
 
If you are interested in reading more about the research into acupuncture during pregnancy then take a look at ACT London’s research page. It covers all the things mentioned above and more besides, including fertility.
 
I am also a Member of the British Acupuncture Council (MBAcC), the UK's largest professional body for traditional acupuncturists, which ensures its members are fully trained and follow high clinical standards.
 
Please do get in touch if you’d like to find out more or have any questions.

How can Tai chi help to build resilience and confidence?
 
As a therapist of the Eastern arts, I have come across many modalities that help people grow, become more confident, resilient and overall content with their life.

I am generally fascinated by both psychology, medicine and eastern philosophy. Yet, what I would call the most powerful tool in my toolbox would -hands down- be Tai chi.
 
It is a martial art that goes way beyond the martial and directly creates a reflective experience where healthy resilience naturally grows.
 
Resilience is the fruit of effort. The work resulting in mental, physical and emotional strength and pliability, leading to self-confidence.
 
One of the fundamental aspects of Tai chi is the engagement of the mind within the body.
 
So how does it help us build resilience?
 
When you practice the art, you are asked to leave all other thoughts and feelings behind. Instead, allow the mind to saturate into the flesh. This develops mindfulness of the body.
 
When you go through the practice of body opening/loosening, it requires sustained mental effort to meet your discomfort. To look compassionately and intimately towards your own limits. Maintaining awareness and acceptance. This develops mental fortitude.
 
During the standing meditations, you first of all create a structure which you must hold for a period of time. Within this structure you relax and release the muscles, thus your habitual tensions. You experience sensations and connections that you have never felt before. This creates a change in your perception and gently pulls you out of your general one-sided thinking. Opening the mind and body.
 
In both seated and standing meditation, you work on maintaining your focus in one physical/energetic location. This develops attention and one pointed focus.
 
Whilst practicing the form/moves, your brain will keep shouting and shaming you for not doing it correctly. You are forced to face your critical self and develop a new, compassionate relation with it. This develops your character, balance and coordination.
 
The constant effort to maintain awareness in the body, whilst experiencing a multitude of sensations, both pleasant and unpleasant, builds a doorway to your nervous system, which you have control over once you have developed enough awareness
 
You can choose to fight it, flee from it or simply accept it for what it is. This builds direct resilience in the nervous system.
 
You see, it is very difficult to get through life without resilience.
 
But we are so lucky to have a tool (and I am sure there are others out there as well) which builds:
 
- the strength and resilience of mind,
- the fortitude and flexibility of the body,
- the stillness and openness of the heart
 
Whilst also balancing our energetic body and the nervous system.
 
Furthermore, throughout the partner drills we also have the opportunity to work on how we relate to one another. How we respond to the touch, emotions and thoughts of others. This is a big part of developing resilience.
 
Thus, we become strong and kind towards our internal and external environments. This is true resilience.
 
Maybe now you can understand why my passion lies so deep in this art.. :)
 
Looking to build resilience into your life?
I am currently running 2 beginner friendly courses in Crystal Palace:
 
Mondays: 18:30 – 19:30
Tuesdays 18:00-19:00
 
- Small groups of around 8-10 people
- Hands on corrections
- Always welcome to ask questions
 
Investment: £12.50 per class
Location: Kin Wellbeing studio and Crystal Palace Osteopaths

Excited to try something new to change and/or grow resilience in your life?
 
Please email me at
[email protected]
Or WhatsApp me on:
07308889603
 
Looking forward to meeting many of you at class,
Miha

From a February fug to a spring in her step, acupuncturist Philippa Summers reflects on what matters to her in her life and what resources she can draw on to live her optimum life

Feeling Like Spring
 
Light spills over the hills
Winter becomes a fable
Here are the flames of spring
The flickering March to April
 
                                        Lemn Sissay

I don’t mind the winter. Being out in all weathers often makes me feel more alive, but this year the cold, wet, dreary weather seemed to drag on. Not much in the way of cheer in the news either, to put it mildly.  It brought on an introspective February Fug. I know I wasn’t alone in feeling that way.
 
So where do we look for the support and resources when our inner world feels a bit wintry? What are the things that help to keep us grounded, inspired, uplifted and connected, and what helps to sustain us. We are all different and we will all need different things at different times. What are those things for you?
 
When I thought about this for myself I was drawn to noticing the things that make up the tapestry of my daily and weekly routines and how they create this fabric of support, connection and sustenance. It is easy to take these things for granted. Mine is filled with friends, family, meals together, cooking, gardening and the allotment, Brockwell Park in all its glory, nature, films and books. A particular focus of the last few months has been generally getting fitter and building strength so going to the gym and swimming are now also firmly on the list. I have gone from pushing myself to do them, to carving out time for them.
 
That routine is peppered with variation and excitement like bright beacons of light, a meal with friends, bookclub, Gin club(!), poker nights, a night out dancing and moments of spontaneity, exploration and curisosity. Together they create a balance of sociable and quiet times, some reflection but not too introspective.  It’s a gratitude list of sorts and a reminder to notice and acknowledge the things that nourish us, make time for them and to reach out and connect.  I deliberately chose not to focus on the bigger events like holidays.
 
Thinking back to that February Fug feeling. There were a couple of specific bits of advice and support that I found especially helpful. One was a reminder from my husband not to judge any feelings, not to label them as good or bad, not to fight them or try to make them go away, just notice and accept them and let them be there. Maybe to observe them with curiosity.
 
The other from a friend was an app recommendation, Insight Timer, which presents a varied selection of mindfulness, meditation, yoga Nidra, relaxation and breathwork resources . There are guided exercises and short sequence programs with some wonderful presenters. If you are looking for something you can use at home to build a meditation habit or help you to de-stress and relax then do check it out. Thanks for the recommendation, Angie!
 
And of course, the change in weather and season certainly helps. The sun is out, spring is springing up, the birds have that frisson of excitement in their chirrups, green shoots are appearing and the swans in Brockwell are on their nest.  The fug has lifted and life has a spring in its step. I hope you feel it, too.

Coaching: From Shame to Freedom – A Holistic Journey to Healing

Shame and guilt are emotions that can quietly run our lives, but there is a way to move from shame to freedom. As a holistic therapist (Acupuncture, Massage, Tai Chi, Qigong, Coaching), I integrate ancient healing techniques with modern coaching to help you release those heavy burdens. This article will explore how holistic coaching can assist you in overcoming shame, so the pain can transform into empowerment, offering you a gentle, compassionate path to emotional freedom.

How Does Shame Affect Your Life and Well-Being?

Shame is a deeply ingrained emotion, often showing up as feelings of unworthiness or inadequacy. Whether triggered by past mistakes, societal pressures, or internalized judgment, shame can weigh us down, keeping us trapped in harmful patterns of thought and behavior.

When I began my own journey of self-compassion, I realized how much shame had been quietly shaping my life. I thought I had cleared most of the debris, but during the past year, I had to acknowledge that some of my core beliefs still carried the heavy burden of shame. Once I started addressing how I related to myself and my environment, I began to experience lightness and freedom in my own life.

How Can Online Coaching Help You Overcome and Release Shame?

One of the most effective ways to work through shame is by acknowledging and accepting it for what it is. This may sound counterintuitive, but getting closer to the discomfort is key. In coaching, we create a safe and accepting environment. Gently embracing our vulnerabilities helps us to let those shameful parts come to light. You don’t have to carry that weight forever.

Just as in Tai Chi or Qigong, where you embrace discomfort to release it, coaching helps you engage with these emotions in a safe way. Together, we identify where the stuck energy lies—those “anchors” that have held you down for years.

What Is Radical Self-Compassion, and How Can It Help Overcome Shame?

Radical compassion is an essential tool in the healing process. It involves offering complete self-acceptance (Maitri, in the Buddhist traditions) and kindness to yourself, especially to the parts of you that you may not like or feel most vulnerable. It’s about meeting your shame with curiosity, not judgment.
I used to struggle with perfectionism, which was deeply rooted in shame. I thought that if I didn’t perform perfectly, I wasn’t worthy. Through practising radical self-compassion, I began to accept those parts of me that felt ashamed. I even gave my inner critical judge a name—the ‘shamer’—to soften the relationship with it. Think of the “Shame Bell” scene from Game of Thrones. By embracing my imperfections, I was able to release unrealistic expectations and feel a deeper sense of freedom.

How Can Chinese Medicine Support Emotional Healing and Release Shame?

Chinese Medicine, with its ancient wisdom, offers an almost magical (yet widely researched) approach to addressing emotions like shame and guilt. In Chinese philosophy, emotions are connected to different organs in the body. For example, shame is often linked to an imbalance in the Liver, Heart, and Kidney energy.

By addressing specific organs and meridians, Chinese Medicine works to restore balance in the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—releasing stuck emotions that may have shaped your personality over time.

Would you like to read more about how Acupuncture and Acupressure can help with shame? [Click here to learn more about emotional healing through Chinese Medicine.]

How Can Qigong and Tai Chi Help Build Self-Confidence and Heal Shame?

Both Qigong and Tai Chi are gentle, yet appropriately challenging, forms of movement that focus on unity. These practices integrate the body and mind, leading to an increasing quality of stillness and harmony. Over time, this helps form a deeper sense of self-confidence and creates a more compassionate relationship with oneself.

Certain Qigong exercises are also immensely helpful in balancing internal organs, directly addressing emotional imbalances. I often suggest these practices in my coaching sessions to enhance the release of shame by engaging the body and breath. It’s not about becoming an expert—it’s about creating a safe space to practice compassion and acceptance while remaining open and reflective.

How Does Coaching Help Break Negative Coping Mechanisms Like Perfectionism and Avoidance?

Many of us develop maladaptive coping strategies to avoid discomfort, including shame. These strategies might include perfectionism, avoidance, addiction, or self-sabotage. Coaching provides a space where we explore these coping mechanisms, understand why they formed, and develop healthier ways of dealing with life’s challenges.

For example, one of my clients used to be avoidant in expressing themselves to their parents. This avoidance was a shield, protecting them from vulnerability. Once they understood this, they were able to develop new habits, deepen their connection with their parents, and create a sense of compassion for their own needs and emotions.

Why Is Practicing Self-Compassion Essential for Healing Shame?

Self-compassion is the foundation for healing from shame. It’s the practice of treating yourself with the same kindness you would offer to a friend or loved one. This can be difficult, especially if you’ve been your own harshest critic for a long time.

In our coaching sessions, we work to build your “muscles of compassion.” You’ll learn to soften your inner dialogue, forgive yourself for mistakes, and embrace your imperfections. This daily practice will help counteract the harsh inner critic that often fuels shame.

We’ll also explore the core beliefs and perceptions that contribute to your inner critique, helping you see the world—and yourself—with more clarity.

How Can Coaching Help You Embrace Your Authentic Self and Heal Emotionally?

Coaching is an adventure of self-discovery, not just a way to fix what’s wrong. It’s about finding healthier ways to be fully present and take up your rightful space in the world. It’s about discovering the hidden parts of yourself that shame has buried.

I often see a pattern where people feel they must hide parts of themselves because they don’t feel “good enough.” The truth is, when we fully embrace our shadow sides, they dissolve, leaving behind gems we can use to help ourselves and others.

How Does Holistic Coaching Differ from Traditional Therapy in Overcoming Shame?

Traditional therapy often focuses on talking through problems to understand the whys. Holistic coaching integrates mind, body, and spirit to help discover the what’s, that can bring about meaningful change.

In our sessions, we won’t just talk about shame. We’ll explore how it impacts your body, energy, and daily life. Practices like meditation, movement, reflective writing, and energy work will support your healing journey in a practical and empowering way.

How Can You Start Your Journey to Overcome Shame and Find Emotional Freedom?

Letting go of shame is a journey, but you don’t have to take it alone. In our holistic coaching sessions, we’ll co-create a space where you can feel safe to explore your emotions, release what no longer serves you (overcoming shame), and step into a more empowered version of yourself.

When I first began my healing journey, I didn’t realize how much support I needed. Today, as I continue working through the remnants of my shame with the help of others, I’m finding freedom in ways I never thought possible.

Ready to start Overcoming Shame and Step Into Freedom with Holistic Coaching?

If you’re ready to release shame and embrace a life of compassion, joy, and freedom, I invite you to explore coaching with me. Together, we’ll work to create a life where you feel empowered, whole, and inspired for the future.

Do you have any questions or feel ready to rumble? [Click here to contact me for more information about coaching sessions.]

With Karen joining us this month it felt like a good time to reflect on the range of therapies we now have on offer at WNT. It is our 10th anniversary this October – wowee 😊😊 – and over the decade we have had an alphabetic spectrum of treatments and classes from Acupuncture to Yoga with everything from Feldenkrais to Sports massage in between.

So what do we have on offer now?

Well, starting with massage where WNT began, we have a great range to choose from

Sports and remedial massage with Tessa – Advanced booking required to see popular Tessa with her highly adept intensive treatments. She works with all sorts of athletes and desk-bound bodies to help free up stubborn tensions and encourage freer, more efficient movement. Tessa really is a master of her trade working with a range of deep tissue and trigger point techniques and using acupuncture needles in some sessions.

Relaxing deep tissue massage with Erika – Erika has been in the massage business for over 20 years and her lovely strong hands work intuitively around the body, their experience meaning your body has easy confidence to relax and feel some relief. You can read Erika’s blogs and see how thoughtful, interesting and considered they are and her massage treatments are in the same vein, very nourishing.

Tuina massage with Mihaly / Mike – Mihaly (also known as Mike) is a more recent addition to our team and we are so glad he joined! Mihaly has a lovely, peaceful, warm presence and his Tuina massage is very careful and intuitive. Tuina takes placed fully clothed and works along the meridians like acupuncture (which Mihaly also practises). This is a great treatment with Mihaly since he is a natural therapist and can help you work with acute and broader issues alike, often helping with lifestyle support.

Philippa  also practises tuina massage and tends to incorporate it into an acupuncture treatment when she feels it would benefit rather than offer it as a stand-alone treatment.

And now we have another experienced pair of hands in Karen with Shiatsu. Similarly to tuina, Shiatsu works with meridians to open up stuck energy and uses stretching and pressure on points to help release and find relaxation and ease. Karen has been working in South London over the past 2 decades and her experience and skilful practice is a welcome addition to our team.

And then we have a wealth of Acupuncture on offer too, which you can read more about in our blog, Acupuncture at WNT - three different approaches, who should I see?

In brief, we have Philippa with a traditional TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) background and almost three decades of experience working in a broad range of professional settings, both privately and with the NHS. Philippa works a lot with women’s health, including menstrual issues, fertility through to post-natal recovery and menopause. Philippa’s treatments tend to be primarily pure acupuncture though she often incorporates some tui na massage into the treatment.

Mihaly is also TCM trained and his treatments tend to be more of a blend of acupuncture with tui na massage and incorporates his background in martial arts into his approach. Mihaly’s interest is in the mind-body connection and developing this this both informs and is an outcome of his practice.

Tessa uses acupuncture needles in a different way, her training is in Medical Acupuncture or Dry Needling which can be useful in treating musculoskeletal issues and helping to release stubborn tensions. Tessa uses these as an addendum to her sports massage treatments, incorporating them when she feels they’d be beneficial and the client is keen.

And then we have some other treatments which are currently all offered by lovely Laura on a Saturday:

Reflexology is Laura’s main practice, her warm and welcoming presence is popular with clients who report feeling the benefits of her kindness and empathy as well as her knowledgeable treatments. This foot treatment has an uncanny way of working on the whole body and can be profoundly relaxing and restorative as well as effective on specific aches, pains, digestive and menstrual challenges.

Reiki is another of Laura’s offerings and clients find this energetic work helpful in encouraging the body’s own healing capacity, a nourishing hands-off treatment that helps support the body emotionally and spiritually.

And last but by no means least, Laura’s other skill is in sound bath healing and she offers one on one sessions at WNT – amazing sensation having bowls placed on the body and ‘played’ so you feel the vibrations and benefit from the deeply resonating sounds. This is a pretty special thing to have on offer and worth checking out if you have never experienced it.

I thought to share a few stories from my clinic so you can have a better understanding of what Acupuncture can help with. As well as to provide a gentle introduction to how it works.
Relief for constipation and other bowel issues is a remarkable and frequent outcome of such treatments.

Over the years I am starting to figure out that the body is truly amazing. It really is a wonderful ‘machinery’ that often needs only a little nudge in order to recover. As long as one has sufficient vital substances – Blood, Qi and Essence (talk about those in a later post) – it will recover rather quickly.

When it comes to treating bowel issues such as constipation, diarrhoea, inflammation and such Acupuncture can have a quick reliving effect – whilst it may take longer to re-establish proper internal harmony in case of chronic conditions.
One of my clients came to me recently complaining about the inability to empty their bowels properly for almost a week. Although their main complaint was different, something like this can often be incorporated into the treatment.
I used a combination of 2 points located on the Stomach channel, whilst other points were used to support the underlying conditions.

The acu-point, Stomach 37 was needled and gently stimulated. This is a point which has a strong effect on the bowels through the connection of the digestive organs of the Stomach and the Large Intestine, which is mainly responsible for the appropriate elimination and further absorption of nutrients.
As you can read in the other article -click on the link above-, it is also a majorly useful point to generally assist IBS and it’s related symptoms.

I also used acupressure on Stomach 25 which has been observed to have a very strong effect on the Intestines. Via the aforementioned connection, this point is able to strengthen and enhance the natural function of the Stomach and Spleen, which is responsible for the transportaion and transformation of nutrients.

Although I worked fairly gently on these points, the client reported having a ‘big clear-out’ the same day.
Of course, no 2 people have the exact same needs. The beauty of Chinese Medicine lies in its ability to show what needs to be done for the person in front of us in that given moment.
Sometimes the body only needs a few gentle yet precise inputs in order to start making steps towards equilibrium.

As the nights begin to draw in and we withdraw inside a little more it can be more challenging to plan your days with a baby or toddler, and to look after your own well-being and fitness. Well, the good news is there are a wealth of opportunities out there, activities you can do with your baby or children and classes for yourself with your baby or at those precious moments you have to yourself.  Just getting out and meeting up with other mums and dads can make a whole world of difference as you adjust to parenthood. Maybe you are looking for something specific or just want to browse and see what’s out there.
 
I came across a website, Happity, that makes searching for classes and events in your area a doddle. It covers everything from pregnancy through the baby and toddler years to age 5. Prices vary, some are free and some low cost from as little as £2.
 
Among them are:

• Pregnancy: yoga, pilates and hypnobirthing and doulas. At West Norwood Therapies we offer pregnancy treatments which I have outlined below.

 

• Postnatal parent focussed (most are with your baby): mum’s and dad’s fitness, yoga, pilates, ballroom dancing, social gatherings, quizzes, comedy and even Baby Drag Bingo! Plus breastfeeding support and first aid courses. A special mention for the Gatherings at Knowles below.

 

• Baby and toddler: music, swimming, storytime, massage, signing and play groups.

 

• Older preschool: music, swimming, athletics, football, tennis and other ball games, languages, theatre, dance and play groups.

 
I know from my own experience and that of probably every parent I know just how important these groups are through this phase of life.  If you are struggling with post-natal depression Happity also have a dedicated area of their website which includes links to useful resources.  Check out their blog, too.
 
I’d like to make a special mention for Gather-ed as they offer something a little different and I think much needed. They offer 1:1 support, workshops and group gatherings with experienced facilitators including midwives - ‘gently facilitated discussions on themes and topics relevant to parenthood…and are a space for honest, authentic conversations’. Wednesday mornings at Knowles in West Norwood, other classes in East Dulwich.
 
Pregnancy Treatments at West Norwood Therapies
Finally, we can help to support you throughout your pregnancy with our treatments at West Norwood Therapies:

• massage (with Erika)
• reflexology (with Laura)
• acupuncture (with Philippa and Mike)

 
Acupuncture: Some women choose to have regular acupuncture to support them throughout their pregnancy, but commonly it will be to help with a particular issue. In the early stages of pregnancy women often seek help for morning sickness and at the latter stages for breech presentation and birth preparation.  For birth preparation there are advantages to starting treatment at 36 weeks but with the all-clear from your midwives we can also offer treatments when you are overdue and facing an induction.
 
If you are trying to conceive Laura and Philippa also offer fertility focussed treatments, too.
 
Please just get in touch if you’d like to find out more.