Amy practises Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), providing acupuncture treatments which may also include acupressure massage, cupping and moxibustion. Amy spent three years studying for her BSc (Hons) Acupuncture degree at The University Of Lincoln, graduating in 2007. Immediately after graduating she became a member of The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC). Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which originated in the Far East over 2000 years ago. Often thought of as a method of treating pain, acupuncture can actually be used to treat a wide range of conditions; physical, emotional & mental. According to TCM, our health and wellbeing is dependant on our Qi (universal life force, energy) flowing balanced and smoothly through a series of meridians which are located just beneath the skin. The signs and symptoms of illness or disease become apparent when our Qi becomes imbalanced or fails to flow smoothly. The cause of the imbalance can be due to many factors: mental, emotional and physical, such as diet, lifestyle, trauma, infection & stress. Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body called acupoints. Once the needles are inserted they are gently manipulated to create a small sensation. The manipulation of the needles stimulates the body's own healing response and helps correct the imbalance. An acupuncturist will use their knowledge and understanding of TCM to diagnose the patient according to this theory, and therefore choose which acupoints to use for the treatment. There is no set treatment plan, as no two cases will ever be identical. Acupuncture may also include heat therapy, moxibustion (herbs which are placed on the end of the needle), acupressure massage, electro-acupuncture and cupping.
