World Tree Therapies

20/06/2025

I have had the most wonderful invigorating morning of yoga on the beach with the fabulous Carrie of
What better way to set myself up for the weekend than saluting the sun at the summer solstice (just a little early)
Also what a treat to meet some of you guys in person!

16/12/2024

Help us to protect the public by protecting our professional title of Acupuncturist. To become a member of the British Acupuncture Council you need a minimum of 3 years full time degree level training along with ongoing continual professional development. The recent rise in short courses is a genuine concern as people can set up in practice without the required training for safe and effective practice. Please sign the petition to lend us your support xx

Protect the public by regulating acupuncture to ensure the highest educational standards

11/09/2024

I will be swanning off on (my much needed) holiday tomorrow and will be back in clinic on Tuesday 1st October.

If you want to make an appointment for my return to work you can book online: https://worldtreetherapies.co.uk/booknow-2/

07/08/2024

I have been thrilled to meet a beautiful baby girl who I have treated throughout her time in the womb. It is such an honour to have been part of her journey into this world.

30/04/2024

Spring has been slow to get going this year but, all of a sudden, hay fever season has kicked in with a vengeance. Some of my patients come for other problems but this week have been coming in suffering with their annual congestion and itchy eyes. Some patients only come and see me at this time of year, just to top them up to see them through the hay fever season. Here are just a few ways that acupuncture and herbal medicine can address the misery that is hay fever:

Acupuncture is believed to treat hay fever (allergic rhinitis) by stimulating specific points on the body, typically with thin needles inserted into the skin at strategic locations. While the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, proponents of acupuncture suggest several ways in which it may help alleviate hay fever symptoms:

• Regulation of immune response: Acupuncture may modulate the immune system, helping to regulate the body's inflammatory response to allergens.
• Reduction of histamine release: Some studies suggest that acupuncture may decrease the release of histamine, a chemical that triggers allergic reactions and contributes to hay fever symptoms like sneezing and itching.
• Improvement of nasal airflow: Acupuncture may help improve nasal airflow and reduce congestion by promoting vasodilation and decreasing inflammation in the nasal passages.
• Balancing of energy flow: According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), hay fever is seen as a result of imbalances in the body's energy flow. Acupuncture aims to restore balance by stimulating specific points along meridians believed to be associated with the symptoms.

Similarly, Chinese herbal medicine treats hay fever by addressing the underlying imbalances in the body's energy and organ systems, as perceived in TCM theory.

• Clearing Heat and Phlegm: TCM practitioners often diagnose hay fever as a condition involving excess heat and Phlegm in the body. Chinese herbal formulas containing herbs with heat-clearing and phlegm-resolving properties may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and itchy eyes.
• Strengthening the Defensive Qi (Wei Qi): In TCM theory, the body's defensive qi, or Wei Qi, plays a crucial role in protecting against external pathogens such as allergens. Chinese herbal formulas may be prescribed to tonify the Wei Qi and strengthen the body's ability to resist allergens.
• Supporting Lung Function: Hay fever often affects the respiratory system, causing symptoms such as coughing and wheezing. Chinese herbal medicine may include herbs known for their ability to support lung function, clear phlegm, and alleviate respiratory symptoms.
• Regulating the Immune System: Chinese herbal formulas may contain herbs that help modulate the immune system, reducing hypersensitivity reactions to allergens and decreasing inflammation in the respiratory tract.
• Individualised Treatment: TCM practitioners tailor herbal prescriptions to each individual's unique pattern of symptoms and underlying imbalances. This personalised approach allows for a more targeted treatment strategy based on the specific needs of the patient.

10/04/2024

April is IBS Awareness Month. A whopping 1 in 5 people in the UK are thought to suffer with IBS. Symptoms vary dramatically with a third experiencing mostly constipation, a third mostly diarrhoea and a third a mix of the two. There may be wind, bloating and distention, pain and discomfort, nausea and a host of other elated symptoms such as fatigue and backpain.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is often viewed as a manifestation of disharmony within the body, particularly involving the Spleen and Stomach organs. According to TCM theory, IBS symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, and constipation result from imbalances in the digestive system, typically due to factors such as poor diet, emotional stress, and lifestyle habits. In TCM, the Spleen is considered central to digestion, responsible for transforming food into Qi (vital energy) and transporting nutrients to nourish the body. When the Spleen's function is weakened or disrupted, as seen in cases of IBS, it can lead to symptoms such as poor appetite, loose stools, fatigue, and abdominal discomfort.

Additionally, TCM recognizes the role of emotional factors in the development and exacerbation of IBS. Emotional stress, anxiety, and unresolved emotional issues are believed to impair the flow of Qi and disrupt the balance of the body's organ systems, particularly the Liver. In TCM, the Liver is closely associated with the smooth flow of Qi and emotions. When the Liver's function is impaired due to emotional stress, it can lead to symptoms such as irritability, mood swings, and abdominal discomfort, exacerbating the symptoms of IBS.

TCM treatments for IBS typically aim to address both the physical and emotional aspects of the condition through a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, stress management techniques, and lifestyle modifications. By restoring harmony to the body and addressing the root causes of disharmony, TCM offers a holistic approach to managing IBS and promoting digestive health and overall well-being.

04/04/2024

What a great day this is turning out to be! Two of my IVF support patients have had positive pregnancy tests and another has had a perfect ovulation for the first time ever. Result! I shall be celebrating later 😁🎉🎉.

04/03/2024

March is

For information on the Traditional Chinese Medicine view of endometriosis and a round up of recent research on acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of endometriosis, take a look at my latest blog post (link in bio).