YOLO Acupuncture

04/09/2025

PCOS Awareness Month - September 2025

Polycystic O***y Syndrome (PCOS) is a global healthcare event which takes place throughout September. Awareness aims at improving the lives of those affected by the condition and help them to overcome their symptoms.

Although it's estimated that 1 in 10 women of reproductive age have PCOS, it’s so easy to feel isolated or that no one else understands what you are going through. It's also estimated that 70% of those with the condition don't know they have it.

PCOS is a genetic, hormone, metabolic and reproductive disorder that affects women and girls. It is the leading cause of female infertility and a precursosr for other severe conditions.

03/09/2025

Dementia is one the UK’s biggest killers, the impact is enormous - on the lives of those it affects. I have personally seen the devastation Dementia brings when my Mum died 3 years ago. The disease took her too early and only 6 months after the birth of my youngest daughter. World Alzheimer’s Month takes place every September, it is a global opportunity to raise dementia awareness and support people affected by the disease.

01/09/2025

September is Gynaecological Cancer awareness month, a time to recognise the five gynaecological cancers - cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulvar. It is important to highlight the symptoms, improve early detection, and support those affected by these diseases.

01/09/2025

IVF - In Vitro Fertilisation
In clinic I am often asked numerous questions about IVF: how long does it take, what are the stages, are there different protocols, does it hurt, what is the success rate, so I thought I would write a small blog to try and help.

IVF stands for in vitro fertilization, which is a process used to help individuals or couples struggling with infertility. It involves the fertilization of an egg with s***m outside the body, in a laboratory dish. The resulting embryos are then transferred into the woman's uterus in the hope of achieving a pregnancy.

The general steps in an IVF cycle are:

Downregulation (often referred to as the long protocol): a woman is placed into a mini menopause state where the ovaries are in layman’s terms put to sleep before being re-started at the stimulation stage

Ovarian Stimulation: Hormones are given to the woman to stimulate her ovaries to produce multiple eggs (instead of the single egg that is normally released during a natural menstrual cycle).

Egg Retrieval: Once the eggs are mature, they are collected from the ovaries through a minor surgical procedure.

Fertilization: The collected eggs are fertilized with s***m in the laboratory. In some cases, ICSI (Intracytoplasmic S***m Injection) is used, where a single s***m is directly injected into an egg.

Embryo Culture: The fertilized eggs (embryos) are monitored for several days (usually 5 days) to determine which ones are developing properly.

Embryo Transfer: One or more healthy embryos are selected and transferred into the woman’s uterus. If successful, the embryo will implant and pregnancy will occur.

Pregnancy Test: About 10–14 days after the embryo transfer, a blood test is done to check for pregnancy.

The process can be emotionally and physically demanding, but it offers hope for many individuals and couples who face infertility due to various causes, including blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, low s***m count, or unexplained infertility.

IVF can significantly increase the chances of pregnancy for many couples who haven’t had success with other fertility treatments, for example, medication or intrauterine insemination (IUI).

IVF makes it possible to use donor eggs, donor s***m, or a gestational carrier (surrogate) when needed, opening options for those who may not be able to use their own eggs or s***m due to health issues or other factors.

IVF is one of the few options available for same-sex couples and single individuals who wish to have children using donor s***m, eggs, or surrogacy. It enables them to build families despite not having a traditional male-female reproductive pairing.

While IVF can offer life-changing benefits, it’s important to note that it may not work for everyone, and it can be physically, emotionally, and financially demanding. The IVF journey can be both exciting and challenging. It’s a path filled with highs and lows, requiring patience, perseverance, and emotional strength.

IVF and Acupuncture

Acupuncture is often considered as a complementary therapy. While IVF focuses on the medical and technological aspects of fertility, acupuncture is believed to help by enhancing the body’s overall energy and improving its balance. Here's how acupuncture is thought to support IVF:

Potential Benefits of Acupuncture for IVF:

Improving Blood Flow to the Uterus: Acupuncture is believed to improve circulation, particularly to the uterus and ovaries. This may help create a more favorable environment for embryo implantation.

Regulating Hormones: Acupuncture may help regulate hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which are crucial for reproductive health. Some studies suggest acupuncture might improve the quality of eggs and s***m, as well as support the luteal phase after embryo transfer.

Reducing Stress: IVF can be an emotional rollercoaster, and stress can negatively affect fertility. Acupuncture has been shown to help lower stress levels, which might improve overall chances of success during IVF treatment.

Improving Egg Quality: Some research indicates that acupuncture may enhance egg quality in women undergoing IVF, possibly by improving ovarian function.

Improving Implantation Rates: Some studies suggest that acupuncture, especially when used around the time of embryo transfer, may increase the chances of successful implantation.

01/09/2025

After a week out of the clinic, amazing sunshine, brilliant sea swimming & paddle-boarding with the girls & our dog, Memphis, it is time to head home. Back in clinic on Wednesday, look forward to seeing all my clients and new ones. X

21/08/2025

A full shout out to our students on their GCSEs, congratulations to all those who got what they were looking for, celebrate and enjoy this moment. For those who were seeking more, grades do not define you, take it from personal experience. Life is so much more & you need to embrace you.

15/08/2025

Today celebrates World Relaxation Day. It is important to remember how to relax, unwind, quieten our mind and be present. Our world rushes around us and we rarely take the opportunity to believe in ourselves.

12/08/2025

Just wonderful to have another client testimonial come in over the weekend. I am so grateful for my career and the ability to help in a small way to someone's journey. 🩷

08/08/2025

Fibromyalgia - how it affects the body
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, along with fatigue, sleep disturbances, memory issues, and mood problems. It's considered a central pain syndrome, meaning it involves changes in how the brain and spinal cord process pain signals.

Pain, fatigue and localised tenderness can impact daily living, making even simple tasks challenging. The condition is often associated with fibromyalgia pain or tender points – specific areas of the body where even the slightest pressure causes discomfort or pain.

Key Features of Fibromyalgia

Symptoms:

Widespread pain: A dull ache lasting for at least three months, typically affecting both sides of the body and above and below the waist.

Fatigue: People often wake up tired, even after long periods of sleep. Sleep may be disrupted by pain or conditions like restless legs syndrome or sleep apnea.

Cognitive difficulties ("fibro fog"): Trouble focusing, concentrating, and remembering.

Other symptoms may include:Headaches or migrainesIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS)Anxiety and depressionTingling or numbness in hands and feet

Sensitivity to temperature, lights, or sounds

Causes & Risk Factors:

The exact cause is unknown, but several factors are believed to play a role:

Genetics: It tends to run in families.

Infections or illnesses: Can trigger or aggravate fibromyalgia.

Physical or emotional trauma: Such as car accidents or PTSD.

Gender: More common in women than men.

Stress and poor sleep: Can exacerbate symptoms.

Treatment:

There's no cure, but symptoms can be managed with a combination of:

Medications:

Pain relievers (acetaminophen, some NSAIDs)

Antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, duloxetine)

Anti-seizure drugs (e.g., pregabalin, gabapentin)

Lifestyle and self-care:

Exercise (low-impact like walking, swimming, yoga)

Stress management (mindfulness, meditation)

Healthy sleep habits

Diet: Some people benefit from eliminating processed foods, sugar, or gluten, though no single diet works for everyone.

Acupuncture

The practice of acupuncture is considered a holistic and natural fibromyalgia treatment, it can benefit individuals offering pain relief, help to regulate sleep patterns and improve overall wellbeing. The points used in Acupuncture may help to alleviate localised muscle tension, reduce stress and promote overall balance.

The research into the effectiveness of Acupuncture and Fibromyalgia

An analysis conducted by M. Di Carlo et al. (2023) concluded that acupuncture led to significant improvement in 44.2% of fibromyalgia patients refractory to conventional medication at the end of an eight-week treatment period, with 20.8% of patients still experiencing improvement three months later (Di Carlo et al., 2023).

A 2023 study by Rosa Maria Moreira et al. examined systemic electroacupuncture and auricular acupuncture on fibromyalgia patients, finding a positive impact on quality of life, though pain intensity remained unchanged (Moreira et al., 2023).

Another study by Gustavo Urbanetto Baelz and colleagues in the same year reported a 16% reduction in pain and a 21% improvement in health status among women with fibromyalgia following acupuncture treatment (Baelz et al., 2023).

Whilst more research needs to be conducted in this area. It it promising that acupuncture could be used as an alternative therapy in pain management, enhancing quality of life and sustaining relief from some symptoms for fibromyalgia patients.

Acupuncture is not a cure, but it can be a useful part of a holistic treatment plan for managing fibromyalgia symptoms. If you're curious about trying it, it's generally safe and worth exploring—especially if conventional treatments haven’t brought enough relief.

All patients who suffer from a variety of symptoms should seek advice from their GP and explore with their specialist how acupuncture could be integrated into their health plan.

06/08/2025

In the August issue of Vogue, author Lorena Meouchi talks about the benefits of acupuncture from stress relief to facial balancing. It is great to see such a prominant magazine talk about Acupuncture.

https://www.vogue.com/article/acupuncture-benefits

25/07/2025

Feeling very blessed. A huge thank you to my client who brought these beautiful flowers as a thank you. I am so incredibly grateful.

19/12/2024

Great read about the different things you can do naturally to help with the perimenopause. Nice to see that acupuncture has been mentioned.

The dreaded ‘change’ can make women feel like their bodies are turning against them. From bedtime yoga to dietary changes, experts outlines things to do to alleviate symptoms