Heathcote Acupuncture

30/01/2026

I have been busy this month starting work on the Northern College of Acupuncture's Nutritional Diploma. One of the things it has reminded me of is that how we eat is important, as well as what we eat.

So, whilst it is important to eat good quality, nutrient dense foods, here are some things you can think about and try to incorporate when it comes to how to eat.

*Eat more slowly and chewing your food well.
*Taking time to sit rather than grab and go.
*Leave at least 2-3 hours after your last meal of the day before going to bed.
*Good posture when eating is important.
*Don't eat too much or too little (balance!)
*Prioritise warm foods, particularly in cold months.
*Avoid excess raw, cold and Damp foods.
*Don't swamp your Stomach with fluid just before a meal.

So next time you sit down to eat, have a think about how you are eating and try to incorporate as many of the above as you can. Your digestion will thank you!!

Thanks, Catherine.

23/01/2026

The little cupboard shelf in clinic is getting quite full now, and I feel very blessed to be gifted such wonderful items. The new addition is a Quartz Crystal Tree, and the little slip with it tells us what it is for.

"Known as the Master Healer as it can be beneficial to any physical condition whilst also offering mental clarity and emotional balance. It is often used in grid work as it is said to enhance the energy of other

Perfect for an Acupuncture clinic then! Thank you to the person who gave me this, so kind.

Happy Friday everyone, hope you are having a good day, whatever you are doing.

Thanks, Catherine.

17/01/2026

08/01/2026

I get this question a lot from my lovely patients and the answer is yes and no!!

Yesterday I fell over on the ice walking my dogs. It must have looked quite spectacular as 2 other dog walkers came running to check I was OK. My pride had taken a fall too, and I was in shock, so I promptly got up and said thank you and that I was fine and took the boys for their usual length walk.

When I got home I realised things were starting to hurt. So I took some time last night to use some Acupuncture points to help with that. I promptly fell asleep once the needles were in (you are not the only one that does this) and woke up 20 minutes later to take them out.

This morning I feel loads better with no obvious pain. I find Acupuncture as first aid is often how I use it on myself. It can stave off a headache or a cold and help with pain.

However, I do go for Acupuncture regularly too with someone else. I have done this for about 20 years now, and started long before I became an Acupuncturist. And yes I often fall asleep on their couch too!! Self care is so important and I take it very seriously so I can continue to look after my patients.

I am looking forward to continuing to welcome my current and some new patients in clinic this month. We have a busy few weeks. If you want to start working with us, get in touch. Link in bio.

Thanks, Catherine. 😊

04/01/2026

Happy New Year to all our patients and followers. Thank you to everyone for the lovely well wishes, cards and presents. We were so blessed and grateful.

After some time to rest and celebrate with our families and friends, we are back to normal hours from tomorrow.

2025 was very busy, but with the addition of Helen, we now have more teatime availability, which has helped ease the squeeze on these slots.

If you want to start working with us in 2026, then get in touch. Visit the website (link in bio) or contact reception on 01924 369077 to find out more or book in.

This week's availability is very limited, but we will see you as soon as we can. Current availability:

Tuesday 8th 4pm with Helen
Thursday 9th 4pm with Catherine
Friday 10th 4pm with Helen

We look forward to welcoming you into clinic in January. Thanks, Catherine and Helen 🙂

22/12/2025

As we finish in clinic on Tuesday for the festivities we just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It has been a very busy year in clinic and we will both be taking some time out of clinic from our normal hours to rest and refresh.

Catherine will be back in clinic on Monday 5th January. Helen will be working Tuesday 30th and Friday 2nd in the afternoons to cover any appointments needed. If you want to book please contact reception on 01924 369077 for availability.

Thank you to all our lovely patients for keeping us busy and trusting us to work with you. It is a real privilege. Thank you for the well wishes, cards and presents too, so kind. And to everyone who has liked, commented and shared the posts too it really helps new people to find us.

Merry Christmas Everyone.
Catherine and Helen 🎄

21/12/2025

Today marks the Winter Solstice which happens at 15:03 this afternoon. The word 'solstice' comes from the Latin sol, meaning 'sun', and sistere - to 'stand still'. Link in comments if you want to read a bit more about it.

From a Chinese Medicine point of view Winter is the time for rest and quiet ahead of Spring when things start emerging again. So try to take a bit more time in this busy period to rest and sleep more if you can. Stay warm and eat warm, nourishing whole foods. Take warm drinks.

I will be in clinic Monday and Tuesday next week and then will be taking some time out and back on 5th January. Helen will be in on Tuesday 30th and Friday 2nd for anyone needing treatment. Get in touch with reception on 01924 369077 for any enquiries and they will get you booked in.

Thanks, Catherine.

12/12/2025

Today sees the end of the lovely purple folder in clinic as we move online for our booking system. It has served us well but with 2 of us working now it made sense to move to a system that could easily be accessed and amended by us and reception.

If you have been in in the last couple of weeks you will know it will not change anything for you as a patient as we can carry on booking you in at the end of your appointment as usual. And reception can still help you too if you give them a call.

The next bit in the New Year is to start to open access to patients to book or amend appointments if they want to themselves. This will also allow new patients to look at our availability and find a slot that suits them at their convenience.

Thank you for bearing with us in this transition period and for patience whilst we practise booking you in at the end of your appointments. It has already got a lot quicker and easier for us.

Hope everyone is enjoying a reprise from the rain this afternoon and has a lovely weekend.

Catherine and Helen.

03/12/2025

Acupuncture is an effective treatment for back pain, particularly chronic low back pain, and is supported by research from institutions like NIH (National Institute for Health). It is considered a safe and effective option, sometimes equal to or better than drug therapy, and can be a valuable alternative or complementary therapy for pain control.

How it works

Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body to help relieve pain.

For back pain, acupuncturists may also use other techniques like heat lamps, moxa or electro-acupuncture to support the treatment.

Acupuncture can provide relief for various conditions, including lower back pain, sciatica, and arthritis.

What to expect

A licensed practitioner will discuss your pain, symptoms, and medical history.

They may also perform a physical exam, check your pulse and tongue, or press on different areas to identify sensitive spots.

Treatment can involve a series of sessions, with frequency decreasing as symptoms improve.

Potential benefits and effectiveness

Studies have shown that acupuncture can significantly reduce pain and improve function for those with chronic low back pain.

The benefits have been observed to last for a year or more, and are not solely due to the placebo effect.

For older adults with chronic low back pain, acupuncture has been shown to improve physical function and reduce pain compared to usual medical care alone.

Effective Acupuncture from a qualified practitioner is generally considered very safe. If you have severe back pain, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional too.

Get in touch if you want to find out more. Don't suffer with back pain.

Thanks, Catherine and Helen.

01/12/2025

As December starts, we are sharing our opening times and availability for the next month.

Catherine will be working up to and including Tuesday 23rd December and then will be back in clinic from Monday 5th January. She has very limited availability in December, and new patients are encouraged to get in touch to get booked in for January.

Helen will be working up to and including Tuesday 23rd December and will also be in Tuesday 30th and Friday 2nd for anyone needing treatment over the holidays. If you want to start working with her get in touch for available times and dates.

We will be launching our online booking system this month, and you will be able to book yourself in once that starts. Thank you for bearing with us whilst we all get used to the new system. In the meantime, contact reception on 01924 369077, where the team will be happy to help.

Thanks, Catherine and Helen

27/11/2025

It is that time of year again when I put my old hat on and teach! I have already met the lovely weekend students and now nearly time to meet the weekday students and teach them some things about Kidney and Bladder Patterns. It is a privilege to work with the next Acupuncturists in the making.

Thanks, Catherine. 😊

24/11/2025

What is your period like? Do you get a lot of pain? Enough to make your day stop? Or do you bleed so heavily that you are left exhausted and drained? What about headaches? Does your period just start, or do you have days of spotting beforehand?

These are some of the things we ask about in clinic for someone who has or has had periods. It tells us a lot about what we need to do with our needles.

All of the things on the pictures have been said to me in clinic during conversations about periods. And whilst some of them are quite common, it does not make them normal.

Acupuncture is usually very effective for period problems and usually starts to take effect in that first cycle. You do not have to be trying to conceive to get help with your cycle, it is about better quality of life if you are suffering from debilitating symptoms each month. Get in touch to find out more, link to my website in bio or contact reception on 01924 369077.

Thanks, Catherine 😊