Germaine Newman Acupuncture

14/05/2025

People are often surprised that acupuncture can be helpful for mental health issues! It works well alongside conventional treatment too.

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and we want to talk about how much BAcC practitioners can help those in our communities struggling with mental health issues.

Traditional acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is a holistic discipline, and treats the whole person rather than the ‘disease’. The aetiology for depression, anxiety, and stress can be complex and varied from person to person.

In this fascinating members-only article from the recent edition of Acu Magazine, Peter Mole, Dean Emeritus of the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, explains his integrated approach to treating anxiety combining the wisdom of Five Element theory and TCM protocols.

Follow the link to sign in and read more. https://acupuncture.org.uk/acu/articles/anxiety-why-are-we-seeing-more-how-can-we-approach-it/

02/04/2025

Well I'm a few days late to the party with this one - in this fast paced world we live in! That's because I've been on holiday and not looking at FB...... JOY!😁

Here is the British Acupuncture Council response to the recent (negative) media attention on the use of acupuncture for fertility. I thought it worth a share 🥸

According to an article published in the Guardian, Independent, BBC Radio 4 and BBC News today.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has issued a warning to those undergoing IVF about “unproven extras” to increase their chances of having a baby. Acupuncture is highlighted as one of these “unproven extras”. However, recent systematic reviews indicate that acupuncture may increase the likelihood of having a baby.
It is very important that people are given the information they need to help them make an informed decision. There are a number of issues that the articles do not fully explore.
Ian Appleyard Research and Policy Manager has detailed these in his response.

https://acupuncture.org.uk/news/three-quarters-of-uk-fertility-patients-using-unproven-add-on-treatments-baccs-response/

Alex Jacobs CEO has released the following statement to the media outlets, we hope they choose to publish our statement to make their articles a more holistic view of the evidence.

Recent systematic reviews indicate that acupuncture may well be beneficial for those undergoing IVF. For example, Smith et al. (2019) suggests that 'acupuncture may be effective when compared with no adjunctive treatment.' In addition, there are significant methodological factors which may lead the research to underestimate the true effect of acupuncture. Clinical trials often only use a fixed protocol of acupuncture points, one or two treatments and do not factor in that placebo acupuncture is still an active treatment. BAcC members have a minimum 3 year degree-level training and can tailor the treatment according to the specific needs of the individual patient.

11/03/2025

Share the joy! 😍

Without even trying, you start to feel a little lighter, a little happier. What if I told you this isn’t just a coincidence, but a well-documented scientific phenomenon? And the further effects are quite astonishing.

29/01/2025

Happy Year of the Wood Snake!!💚

I love that this means that themes for the Year 2025 are 'Transformation, Resilience, and Adaptability'. Something we can all tap into and aim for!

A Symbol of Wisdom and Transformation, the snake is often associated with intelligence, resourcefulness, and introspection. Snakes are known for their ability to shed their skin, a natural process that symbolizes transformation, letting go of the old, and embracing the new!

In Chinese culture, the Snake is seen as a guardian of hidden knowledge and a seeker of deeper truths. It encourages people to trust their instincts and look beneath the surface when making decisions.

The Wood element, one of the five elements in Chinese metaphysics, represents growth, renewal, and strength. Wood energy is creative and dynamic, much like the growing branches of a tree that adapt to their environment. In 2025, this element encourages flexibility in the face of change and the cultivation of long-term goals.

When paired with the Snake, the Wood element amplifies the qualities of transformation and adaptability. Together, they create an energy that supports personal growth while navigating life’s complexities with calm determination.

02/10/2024

🌿 NEWS! I am now qualified to prescribe herbal formulas from Suwen herbs 🌿

They are great quality herbal formulas based on traditional formulas and adapted for modern living by the late Giovanni Maciocia, a very well known acupuncturist, herbalist, writer and educator in the Chinese medicine world ☯️

This means that in addition to acupuncture, lifestyle and Chinese medicine dietary advice, my patients are able to further help themselves by taking Chinese herbs if they wish to!

Contact me for more info 💚

The Three Treasures®, Women's Treasure® and Little Treasures® herbal formulae created by Giovanni Maciocia®, world-renowned expert of Chinese Medicine.

25/09/2024

These beautiful flowers were given to me by some great old friends, grown in their garden no less! I enjoyed them so much in my clinic last week - for me they were the last hurrah of the summer!

Summer has been busy for me juggling family and work, I'm only just catching up!

I'm back 4 days a week in clinic, seeing patients for a wide variety of issues - which I love.

I've also become a proud member of the Acupuncture Fertility Network which is a great resource to help patients find professional acupuncturists who have completed extra training in treating fertility. Check it out!

https://acupuncture-fertility.org/

20/06/2024

Just getting in there! The most Yang time of the year. Brightest blessings! 💛💛💛

Wishing you a beautiful Summer Solstice!

15/05/2024

Here I am in the blue top enjoying a fantastic weekend in London ramping up the learning on all things fertility and infertility!

It's such a specialist area, addressing both the Western medical perspective and Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective.

This really added to my learning about the extensive ways that acupuncture can support natural fertility for men and women as well as offering support through IVF.

Thanks to Paul Johnson at The City College of Acupuncture for sharing his extensive knowledge on the subject! 🙏

Paul Johnson’s Acupuncture for Fertility and IVF Support CPD course has now been running for ten years! Another group of acupuncturists completed it this weekend and are now eligible to join the Acupuncture Fertility Network. Among the graduates this time were a nurse, a doctor, and an IVF embryologist.

24/04/2024

⭐️ Acupuncture for hypertension⭐

Research shows that acupuncture can be very effective.

⭐️Hypertension or 'high blood pressure' is extremely common! In fact, it is one of the conditions I see most frequently in my clinic. Patients are usually coming for acupuncture for something else and they mention it as a side line....but it can have serious health consequences if untreated including increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke.

⭐️On a first visit I take a patient's blood pressure and if it is on the high side over a few readings I suggest seeing their GP.

⭐️Age, genetics and lifestyle can influence whether people get high blood pressure.

⭐️Research shows that 'acupuncture may be as effective as medication in reducing high blood pressure and acupuncture in combination with medication is more effective than medication alone (Tan 2019; Zhao 2019; Chen 2018; Yang 2018; Leem 2016; Xiong 2014)'⭐️

👀Check out this great Acupuncture Council factsheet on the evidence base for acupuncture for hypertension.

https://acupuncture.org.uk/fact-sheets/hypertension/

Acupuncture may be as effective as medication in reducing high blood pressure and acupuncture in combination with medication is more effective than medication alone (Tan 2019; Zhao 2019; Chen 2018; Yang 2018; Leem 2016; Xiong 2014)

15/04/2024

HRT is certainly a hot topic and can be divisive unfortunately. This is why I think it's so important to really get to grips with the statements that are often made by looking at the original research papers that these very claims are made of.

The statement that HRT prevents dementia is frequently spoken about like it's proven beyond doubt which it isn't. Thankfully, MenoClarity has unpacked the research from a meta-analysis that makes this claim and demonstrates its not as straightforward as it may seem!

09/04/2024

It's coming up to that time of year again 🌷 🤧

🌻Many of us right now are eagerly awaiting the arrival of some proper sunshine 🌞 Well....we are in Gloucestershire!

🌻But for many, the loveliness of spring and summer on the way also brings sneezing, itchy eyes, and all those other pesky hayfever symptoms that come alongside the change in seasons.

🌻Acupuncture has been shown to help reduce symptoms of hayfever.

Thank you to the British Acupuncture Council who have put together this information sheet about the evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture for treatment of allergic rhinitis 🙏☺️

Allergic rhinitis (perennial and seasonal) affects around 10-40% of the population worldwide, and can have a substantial health and economic impact on the community.(Sibbald 1991)

20/03/2024

Happy Spring Equinox! 🌷🌱🌞

Spring equinox marks equal lengths of day and night and in astronomical terms, it symbolizes the first day of spring 🌷

In Chinese medicine, this is the time of the Wood energy, an energy of new growth, new beginnings, creativity and vision.

It's a great time to set intentions 💕

Wishing you beautiful bright spring equinox blessings! ✨