Acupuncture West London

12/09/2025

In classical Chinese acupuncture, the choice of points is never random – it is guided by centuries of observation, theory, and clinical experience. Two groups of points that often attract attention are the jing-well points and the use of distal points.

Jing-well points, located at the tips of the fingers and toes, are considered the places where qi first emerges or is most dynamic. Classical texts describe them as being especially effective at clearing heat, restoring consciousness, and treating acute or sudden conditions. They are also closely linked with the transformation of mental and emotional states, making them particularly useful in conditions where there is agitation of the mind or a sense of being “blocked” at the most fundamental level of the channel system.

Distal points, those located away from the site of the main complaint, are chosen because of the channel system’s interconnectedness. In classical practice, pain or dysfunction in one part of the body can often be addressed by stimulating points along the same channel elsewhere. For example, a headache might be treated with points on the hands or feet that lie on the affected meridian. This reflects the principle that qi circulates throughout the whole channel, so influence at one end can resonate throughout its pathway.

Together, jing-well points and distal points embody the holistic nature of acupuncture. Rather than focusing only on the site of symptoms, treatment seeks to regulate the body’s overall balance of qi, dispersing excess, moving stagnation, and supporting harmony between interior and exterior. Their continued use in modern clinics shows just how enduring and effective these classical strategies remain.

acupuncture-westlondon.com

04/09/2025

Acupuncture Within The Western Research Model:
While acupuncture has gained popularity and recognition worldwide, it still often encounters scepticism within the framework of Western medicine (WM) research models. This disparity arises due to several factors that challenge the conventional scientific approach.
One of the primary reasons acupuncture doesn’t fit neatly into the WM research model is due to its holistic nature. Chinese medicine (CM) views the body as an interconnected system, where imbalances in one area can affect multiple aspects of health. In contrast, WM primarily focuses on isolating and studying individual components of the body or disease processes. This reductionist approach allows for controlled experiments and measurable outcomes. However, WM struggles to measure and quantify how these components interact as a whole. CM and acupuncture, however, while aiming to address the body as a whole, focusses on the interaction of each of these systems, thus making it potentially difficult to isolate specific variables for scientific study.
Another issue lies in the complexity of acupuncture treatments. In CM, each patient is considered unique, and treatments are tailored accordingly. Acupuncture points and treatments are chosen based on an individual’s symptoms, constitution, underlying imbalances and other factors. This personalised approach contrasts with the standardised protocols and large sample sizes often employed in WM research. It becomes challenging to design double-blind, placebo-controlled studies that adequately capture the intricacies of acupuncture treatments. In short, results are not repeatable between patients using fixed protocols, and this doesn’t sit well within the current WM research model.
READ MORE @ https://acupuncture-westlondon.com/acupuncture-within-the-western-research-model

03/09/2025

ILEOCECAL VALVE (ICV) DYSFUNCTION:

If you suffer from , issues or , this post may be for you...

As a practitioner, I see many patients in clinic suffering from a variety of ailments. In many cases, the (ICV) can be the issue.

READ MORE: https://acupuncture-westlondon.com/ileocecal-valve-dysfunction (link in bio)

04/06/2025

Why Chinese Medicine Might Seem “Kooky” to the Western Eye — But Isn’t:

To many raised in the Western medical tradition, Chinese medicine can seem, at first glance, like a blend of poetic metaphors, vague energies, and mystical ideas. Talk of “Qi” flowing through invisible meridians, the balance of “yin and yang,” or the classification of foods by their “hot” or “cold” nature can sound less like science and more like fantasy. It’s easy to dismiss it as abstract or even a little kooky.

But that perception says more about the lens we’re looking through than the subject itself.

Much of this confusion arises from language — not just translation, but the worldview embedded in it. Chinese medicine is a medical doctrine rooted in Classical Chinese, a language that evolved to describe nature, patterns, and relationships rather than isolated mechanisms. Its metaphors aren’t quaint flourishes; they’re clinical tools, developed to observe and treat illness long before microscopes or molecular biology existed.

Imagine if modern Western medicine were presented in the English of Chaucer. If a textbook said the heart pumps “humours” instead of blood, or the lungs served to “temper the phlegmatic winds,” we might find it hard to take seriously — even if the treatments worked. Language shapes credibility. And in Chinese medicine, the terminology of Qi, Shen, or Liver-Wood is as functional as it is philosophical.

But beneath this poetic language is a system based on over 2,000 years of clinical observation, trial, error, refinement, and results. Chinese medicine survived not because of mystique, but because it worked — across centuries, regions, and cultures. It may not always conform to modern biomedical frameworks, but to ignore its insights simply because they sound foreign is to mistake unfamiliarity for lack of value.

In the end, Chinese medicine offers not an alternative to science, but a different lens through which to understand human health. And that lens has been polished by generations of dedicated physicians, long before we had lab coats and stethoscopes.

acupuncture-westlondon.com

14/05/2025

The Fire Element, the Heart, and the Emperor: A Sacred Connection

In the ancient traditions of Taoist philosophy and Chinese medicine, the Fire element is more than just a natural force—it is a profound symbol of life, transformation, and spiritual illumination. Among the five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water), Fire stands out for its intense energy and its association with yang, the principle of activity, warmth and outward expression.

At the centre of the Fire element’s domain lies the Heart. The Heart is not just a beating organ. In Chinese medicine and Taoist philosophy, it is the Emperor—the sovereign who rules the kingdom of body and mind. The Emperor archetype represents sovereignty, discernment, and inner order. Just as an emperor governs his realm with clarity and authority, the Heart rules the body—not merely by circulating blood but by maintaining emotional harmony, mental clarity, and spiritual presence. When the Heart is balanced, the mind is clear, emotions are stable, and spirit (Shen) shines through. The Emperor doesn’t shout or panic—he rules with calm command. Similarly, the healthy Heart governs without struggle, radiating warmth and guiding the body’s systems through coherence and connection.

Symbolically, the Fire element illuminates the path of truth and authenticity. It teaches us how to lead with love, how to communicate sincerely, and how to bring light into darkness—not through force, but through presence. However, when the Fire element is in excess, the Emperor becomes erratic: emotions burn out of control, the mind races, and insomnia, anxiety or mania may follow. When Fire is deficient, the Emperor is absent—cold, disconnected, or confused.

To nurture the inner Emperor, one must care for the Heart Fire: cultivate joy, embrace meaningful connection, speak with honesty, and allow space for rest. In doing so, we honour the sacred flame within and embody the grace of true leadership.

https://acupuncture-westlondon.com/the-fire-element-the-heart-and-the-emperor/

The Fire Element, the Heart, and the Emperor: A Sacred Connection | The Emperor—the sovereign who rules the kingdom of body and mind.

13/05/2025

The Fire Element, the Heart, and the Emperor: A Sacred Connection

In the ancient traditions of Taoist philosophy and Chinese medicine, the Fire element is more than just a natural force—it is a profound symbol of life, transformation, and spiritual illumination. Among the five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water), Fire stands out for its intense energy and its association with yang, the principle of activity, warmth and outward expression.

At the centre of the Fire element’s domain lies the Heart. The Heart is not just a beating organ. In Chinese medicine and Taoist philosophy, it is the Emperor—the sovereign who rules the kingdom of body and mind. The Emperor archetype represents sovereignty, discernment, and inner order. Just as an emperor governs his realm with clarity and authority, the Heart rules the body—not merely by circulating blood but by maintaining emotional harmony, mental clarity, and spiritual presence. When the Heart is balanced, the mind is clear, emotions are stable, and spirit (Shen) shines through. The Emperor doesn’t shout or panic—he rules with calm command. Similarly, the healthy Heart governs without struggle, radiating warmth and guiding the body’s systems through coherence and connection.

Symbolically, the Fire element illuminates the path of truth and authenticity. It teaches us how to lead with love, how to communicate sincerely, and how to bring light into darkness—not through force, but through presence. However, when the Fire element is in excess, the Emperor becomes erratic: emotions burn out of control, the mind races, and insomnia, anxiety or mania may follow. When Fire is deficient, the Emperor is absent—cold, disconnected, or confused.

To nurture the inner Emperor, one must care for the Heart Fire: cultivate joy, embrace meaningful connection, speak with honesty, and allow space for rest. In doing so, we honour the sacred flame within and embody the grace of true leadership.

acupuncture-westlondon.com

29/04/2025

Great to be back at the International College of Oriental Medicine today, lecturing the Year 3 students. Big thanks for the warm welcome and thoughtful questions—always a pleasure to teach, connect, and be part of this vibrant community shaping the future of our profession.

23/04/2025

SPECIAL OFFER: 5 acupuncture treatments for the price of 4 — Last Chance!!
Time is running out! For the rest of April, we are continuing to offer 5 acupuncture treatments for the price of 4*.
This special offer is available to new and existing patients (until 7pm on 30/4//2025), and is available via our website.
Book online at acupuncture-westlondon.com.
Call the clinic today on 020 8087 2677.
https://acupuncture-westlondon.com/book-online-appointment/

*T&Cs Apply:
• non-refundable
• non-transferable
• cannot be exchanged for cash, other goods or services
• cannot be used in conjunction with other offers
• use within 3 months of purchase
• offer available until 30/04/2025

Book your appointment online | Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 19:00 & Saturdays from 8:00 to 16:00 | Call: 020 8087 2677

12/04/2025

TIME IN CHINESE MEDICINE:

“For us, we measure time by the clock [and] the calendar. But for the Chinese, time is measured according to the transformations of energy…These transformations of energy are what bring about what we call the system of the 10 heavenly stems, and especially the 12 earthly branches, which are the flow of qi through the 12 months of the year. Specifically for us as practitioners of Chinese Medicine, they register as the flow of qi through the 12 channels in acupuncture.” RANI AYAL

https://acupuncture-westlondon.com

11/04/2025

Understanding the NICE Guidelines: What Do They Say About Acupuncture?

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the UK body responsible for evaluating which treatments are safe, effective, and cost-efficient for use within the NHS. When it comes to acupuncture, NICE has taken a cautious but open stance, guided by current evidence.

So, what Does NICE Recommend Acupuncture For?

READ MORE: https://acupuncture-westlondon.com/understanding-the-nice-guidelines/

Understanding the NICE Guidelines | As of the most recent guidance, NICE recommends acupuncture for the following conditions...

06/04/2025

The Four Directions & The Sacred Journey from 1 to 4.

In Chinese medicine and numerology, the number 4 marks a profound threshold—the moment where the energies of duality and creation stabilise into the tangible world of structure, time, and space. To truly grasp the essence of the number 4, we must explore the journey through the numbers that come before it.

1 – The Source, Unity, Pure Potential
The number 1 represents the origin—undivided wholeness, the seed of all that is. It is the Dao before movement, before polarity, containing all possibilities in stillness.

2 – Duality, Yin & Yang, Balance
With the emergence of 2, unity becomes duality. Yin and yang are born—two opposing yet interdependent forces that form the basis of all transformation in Chinese medicine and the natural world.

3 – Creation, Movement, Expansion
The interplay between yin and yang gives rise to 3 — the number of movement and expression. It represents the creative principle, seen in the Three Treasures (Jing, Qi, Shen), the three realms (Heaven, Earth, and Human), and the initial unfolding of energy.

4 – Manifestation, Structure, Time and Space
When we arrive at 4, we step into stability. It is the number of form—the foundation of reality. In Chinese medicine, it appears as the Four Directions (North, South, East, West) and the Four Phases (Birth, Growth, Harvest, Storage), guiding the natural flow of energy in both the cosmos and the body.

Four represents the anchoring of spirit into matter, of idea into embodiment. It is where abstract energies take shape within the dimensions of time and space—the moment potential becomes real, and the cycle of life moves forward with rhythm and order.

To live in alignment with the wisdom of 4 is to move in harmony with nature’s cycles, honouring the structure that supports true transformation.

https://acupuncture-westlondon.com

05/04/2025

The Four Directions & Four Phases in Chinese Medicine: A Dance of Balance and Transformation

In Chinese medicine philosophy, the universe moves in cycles of balance and transformation, reflected in the Four Directions—North, East, South and West—and the Four Phases—Birth, Growth, Harvest and Storage. These cycles represent the natural flow of energy (Qi) within both the human body and the wider natural world.

East – Birth (Spring)
A time of new beginnings, associated with the Wood element. Like the rising sun, energy begins to expand outward, encouraging growth and fresh potential.

South – Growth (Summer)
The Fire element dominates, symbolising full yang — activity, passion, and outward expression. Energy reaches its peak, expressing itself fully.

West – Harvest (Autumn)
As the Metal element takes hold, this is a time of refinement, release, and gathering. Energy begins to turn inward, preparing for the season of stillness.

North – Storage (Winter)
Ruled by the Water element, this phase represents rest, reflection, and deep conservation. In this stillness, wisdom is cultivated and energy is replenished.

This cyclical understanding mirrors numerology’s sacred number four—a symbol of stability, structure, and the foundation of all things. Just as the four directions and four seasons bring balance to nature, the number four represents the grounding of energy into the physical world.

To live in alignment with these phases is to move in harmony with the natural rhythms of life — embracing growth, honouring rest, and finding balance in the cycles that shape our existence.

https://acupuncture-westlondon.com