Acupuncture can treat an enormously wide range of conditions, focusing on the root of any imbalance rather than just the symptoms.
A list is below but contact me if you require more information.
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Pain Relief: Chronic pain; migraines/headaches, back pain, sports injuries, arthritis and more.
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Digestive: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), digestive concerns, ulcers, cramps, bloating, acid reflux (GERD) etc.
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Immunity: Allergies, Sinusitis, Asthma, Bronchitis, Ear Infections,
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Women's Health: PMS symptoms, irregular periods, infertility, pre & postpartum support, discomfort due to menopausal symptoms, hormone imbalance, PCOS, endometriosis etc.
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IVF and Pregnancy Support: IVF support and pregnancy support.
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Men's Health: Male infertility, idiopathic infertility, erectile dysfunction, prostate concerns, etc.
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Psychological Concerns: Stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, insomnia and panic attacks.
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Children: children are treated at a reduced rate using Shonishin acupuncture.
What is Acupuncture?
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Acupuncture is an ancient method of medicine and healing practised for more than 2,000 years. Its wisdom recognises the interconnectedness of the body - particularly the organs - and its influence on health and healing.
During its vast history it has undergone many changes and different schools vary in their practical application. However, they all agree on a fundamental theory: any illness is a stagnation or blockage of ‘Qi’ – our lifeforce ‘energy’ or deficiency of blood and qi.
Indeed, Yin and Yang is a founding theory of acupuncture and each organ can be identified as either Yin or Yang. When the organs are out of balance due to physical or emotional factors and conditions, the Qi and blood cannot flow freely. When they can’t flow freely, the result can be unease, pain, illness or disease.
So how does acupuncture work?
Qi and blood move around the body using specific “pathways” called meridians. Acupuncture stimulates specific points in the body which are like “taps” which regulate the movement of Qi and blood through these pathways, increasing, decreasing and even re-directing the Qi and blood as needed.
The goal of acupuncture is to therefore identify the source of imbalance in the body which can be discerned by checking the patient’s pulse, and then stimulating acupuncture points to increase, decrease or redirect the flow Qi and blood and heal it.
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Does acupuncture really work?
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Whether used alone or alongside a medical treatment plan, acupuncture has been shown to help treat a wide variety of illnesses and ailments.
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The World Health Organization released a study in 2003 providing a list of recognized conditions treated by acupuncture. The study was based on research undertaken over recent years in both the East and the West. The study identifies 28 conditions for which acupuncture was an effective treatment including muscle pain (back, head, neck etc.), side effects brought on by chemotherapy, post-operative pain, sciatica, nausea and depression — for which acupuncture was an effective treatment. It further identifies 69 conditions where acupuncture has been shown to have a therapeutic benefit and this list includes abdominal pain, female infertility, insomnia, male sexual dysfunction, obesity and even tobacco dependence.
Essentially, the WHO identified nearly 100 separate conditions that can be helpfully treated to varying degrees, by acupuncture.
At present, The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends acupuncture treatments for chronic (long-term pain), chronic tension-type headaches and migraines. The NHS also acknowledge that acupuncture is often used to treat other musculoskeletal conditions and pain conditions including joint pain, dental pain and postoperative pain.
Indeed, more recently health researchers at the University of York found that acupuncture can boost the effectiveness of standard medical care and decrease chronic pain and depression.
The best thing about acupuncture is that it is very safe with very rare occurrences of negative side effects. If you’re reading this, I can only encourage you to try it out.
This system is not a talking therapy. Instead, it targets the 'Frozen moment in time' (Trauma) and releases it from its roots.​
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One of the first things we need to do in your therapy is to recognise the pattern of your behaviour (or your pain body). Then we 'frame' the emotions, sensations and any discomfort in your body and scale it from 1 to 10. With the intention that it will be reduced by the end of the session.
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Pay for Results:​​
This therapy can be provided on a "Pay for Results" model. This means that at the beginning of the session, once we clarify the issue together, we will also agree on a realistic, measurable outcome you are seeking. This outcome will serve as our goal for the session, determining its success. If this agreed-upon outcome is attained, the session fee is payable. If the outcome is not attained, we will work together for an additional session to achieve it at no extra cost for that follow-up session. A "pay for results" contract will be provided, which will give you further clarity on this.
What is the Peak States system all about?
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A key aspect of Peak States Therapy involves gently guiding you to become aware of subtle shifts and sensations within your own body. These physical feelings act as direct pathways to the underlying emotional, mental, and energetic imprints that might be contributing to your current struggles. By carefully noticing these internal cues, you can begin to access and resolve deeply held patterns. While this might sound a bit abstract, it becomes clear once you experience it. Perhaps this example will help:
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Example: Imagine you have a fear of public speaking. A Psychobiology Therapy session would explore the legitimate fears you have, your beliefs about the situation, and the emotions that arise. Crucially, we'd also focus on the physical sensations you might feel: a racing heart, sweaty palms, a lump in your throat, butterflies in your stomach, a sense of heaviness, or the impulse to fight, flee, or freeze. All these sensations are vital cues and clues, each with an origin. By holding a supportive space for these feelings and applying specific Psychobiology Therapy techniques, we work towards healing, releasing, and overcoming the root cause of the issue.
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Feel Free to read more about this therapy on the Peak States website. Our Institute published books and articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals HERE
Also, HERE is my profile page on our Institute website
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Trauma therapy
WATCH my video about what is TRAUMA
Additional body treatments
Cupping and Guasha are treatments mainly focused on relieving muscle tension and stagnation. I sometimes use cupping, Guasha and moxibustion therapy as part of an acupuncture treatment to balance out the system and get blood moving or to treat back, neck, shoulder and other musculoskeletal pains.
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While I always recommend acupuncture as the priority treatment, clients certainly desire and benefit from treatments which prioritise Cupping, Guasha and Moxa. This is usually where there is tension, injury, deep weakness or nothing else works.
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For best results, depending on the level of tension or extent of injury, several treatments may be needed.
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Cupping is a therapy that creates a sensation similar to deep tissue massage. Cupping is used for energising organ systems, relaxing muscle tension, and detoxing. Cupping is widely used by athletes due to its ability to support the regeneration and recovery after intense training. Cupping has very similar effects to Guasha, but is more relaxing in a way, as most clients receiving it literary fall asleep.
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Guasha is a Chinese term which literally means 'scraping'. It stimulates cell regeneration and the flow of oxygenated blood to the skin's surface, which enhances the body’s natural detoxification process. Guasha is often used to remove pathogens and scar tissue, to relieve colds, muscle tension, joint pain, tendon strain and reduce inflammation. After a guasha treatment, the skin is red due to the micro-abrasion, which stimulates the body's immune reaction. The treatment has no known side effects.
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Moxa or Moxibustion is an ancient Asian technique that utilises the burning of the herb Mugwort on the skin. Antiburn cream is used, and the technique doesn't leave any marks or scars. The practitioner can use direct Japanese (Chinetsukyu), half a rice grain size or indirect - Chinese moxa stick (it's simpler, although less beneficial than direct moxa).
This is one of the best tried and tested ways to give body energy and 'nutrition' in the form of energy (Qi & Prana). Moxa is said to generate energy, and acupuncture is said to move energy. It is especially useful when nothing else works, in fertility or for very weak clients.
Nutrition is the key source of sustenance for our body and in order for our bodies to heal, strengthen and balance, we need the right nutrition from the right sources and in the right amounts.
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I integrate Eastern (Chinese and Ayurvedic) principles of nutrition with modern evidence-based nutrition to provide my clients with the specific guidance and nutritional plan they need to support their health and wellbeing.
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I am both passionate about and certain about the impact the right nutrition can have on protecting and increasing ones energy, strength, vitality and health span. Indeed, the influence ones' diet and lifestyle can have on ones health is so critical and profound and yet, many people struggle to integrate the changes they need as there are often emotional and mental blocks preventing change. Coaching supports you on the journey to making the changes you need.
How is holistic nutrition different to the latest newspaper article about the latest superfood?
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​Everyone can benefit from improving or optimising their nutrition and lifestyle to transform their health and well-being. I am always happy to offer advice and guidance as part of other treatments.
Certainly, for people interested in nutrition, the foundation advice is always the same - follow a whole foods plant-based diet and avoid processed food.​
However, some clients benefit from more in-depth and attuned advice and support.
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For example, if you are low in energy and your periods are irregular, you likely have what we call in Chinese medicine a "blood deficiency." We would then look for foods in Chinese energetics which "tonify" (strengthen and support) the blood but which are not too stimulating or which can cause dampness. Each food in Chinese medicine relates to a specific organ or meridian and can have a different impact, favourable or not. The objective is to identify areas of weakness and select the foods that can balance the weakness and promote health.​
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The patients most likely to benefit from holistic nutrition are those dealing with:
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Lethargy/fatigue
- Depression
- Digestive Issues
- Irregular menstrual cycles
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