All appointments start with an initial consultation to determine your individual needs, and discuss a personalised course of treatment.
Please find further information below about the methods that may be used:
Pricing
Initial Consultation
90 mins | £70
Follow up treatment
60 mins | £55
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Five Element Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a technique by which practitioners stimulate specific points on the body by inserting thin, solid, metallic needles through the skin. It is part of the ancient practice of Traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe the human body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points connected by pathways or meridians. These pathways create an energy flow – Qi, (pronounced ‘chee’) through the body that is responsible for overall health. Disruption of the energy flow can cause disease. Using acupuncture on certain points is thought to improve the flow of Qi, thereby improving health.
Most people feel only a slight pin prick as the needle is inserted. The needle is inserted to a point that produces a sensation of pressure or ache. They are then activated, usually through gentle and specific movements of the practitioner's hands.
Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system, encouraging it to release chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord and brain. These biochemical changes may stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being.
Acupuncture may help ease pain, including chronic conditions, such as low-back pain, neck pain, knee pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. It also may help reduce the frequency of tension headaches and prevent migraine headaches.
Cupping Therapy
Cupping is an ancient therapy that involves placing cups on the skin to create suction which is thought to improve the flow of energy in the body and facilitate healing. Cupping increases the amount of blood circulating to the area where the cups are placed. This may relieve muscle tension, which can improve overall blood flow and promote cell repair. It may also help form new connective tissues and create new blood vessels in the tissues.
Cupping is used to help conditions such as anxiety, depression, skin problems, asthma, allergies as well as fertility disorders. Some professional sports people use it to help relieve stiffness and injury.
Pressure Point Therapy & Gua Sha
Pessure point therapy and Gua sha (pronounced ‘gwahshah’), is a technique used in traditional Chinese medicine. The name gua sha comes from the Chinese word for scraping. It is also called skin scraping, spooning, or coining. It aims to move energy, known as Qi or Chi, around the body.
The ‘sha’ is the petechiae that represent the extravasation of blood in the subcutis layer of the skin. Contrary to popular belief, the red petechiae or ‘sha’ that reveals itself after treatment is neither painful nor harmful. In fact, it’s the opposite! Releasing stuck and stagnant blood relieves pain, improves blood circulation, enhances muscle function, and sends the body into a state of recovery. The color and quantity of sha that results after treatment is directly correlated to the person’s level of blood stagnation, inflammation, or cold and deficiency.
Auriculotherapy
Auricular acupuncture – This treatment involves placing acupuncture needles in points around the ear. It works much the same way as traditional acupuncture, except it involves placing the needles only in points around the ear. It aims to rebalance the way the body functions by stimulating certain points in the ear. It is used to relieve conditions such as insomnia, chronic pain, substance use disorder, migraines, anxiety, the side-effects of chemotherapy and to promote weight loss.
Ear seeds – A traditional Chinese medicine technique whereby seeds placed on your ear as tiny acupressure devices. They aim to promote comfort and relaxation, and may help ease pain, insomnia, substance abuse and mental issues including anxiety to grief. The seeds are placed on the outside of your ear over certain acupuncture points and you should massage them three times a day. They generally stay on your ears for up to a week.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion, a traditional Chinese medicine technique, is believed to offer several potential benefits. The practice involves burning mugwort near specific acupuncture points to stimulate the flow of qi (vital energy) and promote healing. It can help enhance blood circulation, alleviate pain, and strengthen the immune system.
Additionally, it is often used to address conditions such as arthritis, digestive issues, and menstrual disorders. The heat generated during moxibustion is thought to have a warming effect on the body, helping to balance energy and restore health.
Moxibustion may help to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy in cancer patients.
Indian Head Massage
Indian Head Massage is an Ayurvedic massage therapy in which the upper-back, arms, head, neck and face are massaged with or without the use of oils using a range of massage techniques. It aims to clear blocks in the meridians (energy channels) that cause a build-up of negative energy that are thought to cause common ailments including stress and pain. Stimulating the nerves in the head area helps you relax which, in turn, improves mental and physical health. It also increases circulation, exfoliates the scalp and nourishes the hair.
Indian head massage is used to improve sleep quality, release tension throughout the entire body, relax specific muscles that have become tense and improve joint mobility. It is also used to help relieve headaches, eye strain, sinusitis, jaw ache and tinnitus and to improve blood and lymphatic circulation, thereby eliminating toxins. In addition it can help reduce depression, anxiety and stress, and promotes relaxation and general wellbeing.
Yoga, breathwork & meditation
The essence of my teachings in traditional Hatha Yoga welcomes everyone, irrespective of age or ability. Backed by an intricate understanding of anatomy and physiology, I ensure a practice where safety and personal thresholds are sacred, where feeling eclipses achievement.
Yin Yoga focuses on our body's connective tissues, impacting our posture and lessening joint pain. It works on releasing deep-seated patterns and habits, leading to healthier postural tendencies and reducing discomfort. This yoga form is an essential complement to traditional practices, as it helps restore alignment and encourages more mindful, aligned movement, free from past restrictions due to accidents, surgery, and daily activities.
By integrating breathwork and yoga stretches alongside acupuncture in my clinic, I offer a rounded, holistic approach, sharing treasured knowledge that extends far beyond traditional treatments.
Want to chat before booking? Get in touch
“My daughter had been suffering from an inflammatory bowel disease which also affected her mental health. After a few treatments with Aleigh both conditions had greatly improved.”
Sarah, Reading
