Manual of Acupuncture book by Peter Deadman with jade gua sha tool

How I work.

I practise within the framework of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), using physical and emotional signs and symptoms, as well as tongue and pulse diagnosis, to identify underlying patterns of imbalance. TCM treats both the root cause and the outward expression of a condition, helping me understand how your concern is connected to the broader landscape of your body and mind. This allows me to consider a treatment that is both targeted and deeply personalised to you.

I approach the care of my patients as collaborative teamwork. Your initial visit will include a thorough conversation about your health history, where we discuss your main concerns as well as touching upon different aspects of your general health – from sleep to digestion – because in Chinese medicine, everything is interconnected. This helps me to understand your primary concerns against the background of how your whole system is working, so that I can support you in a complete and connected way.

Next, I will take your pulse and observe your tongue – traditional diagnostic tools in Chinese medicine. Once you are comfortably settled on the treatment bed, I will choose specific acupuncture points tailored to your needs. After the needles are in place, there is an opportunity to rest. Many people find this part of the session deeply relaxing. Depending on your needs, I may also incorporate supportive techniques such as moxa or cupping.

After the needles are removed, I will check in with you again. I often offer lifestyle or dietary suggestions and additions based on Chinese medicine principles and the traditional approach of yang sheng, so that you can continue supporting your wellbeing between sessions. This collaborative approach extends the benefits far beyond the treatment room.

Acupuncture tends to work best cumulatively and incrementally, with each session building on the last. My hope is that you leave feeling more grounded, more resourced, and more connected to yourself.

Loose-moxa-with-pink-flower-and-tweezers-ancillary-technique-Chinese-medicine

Supportive techniques.

Moxibustion is an external heat therapy that predates acupuncture. It is considered an equal counterpart; so closely linked that the Chinese character for it forms part of the term for ‘acupuncture’. This warming technique commonly uses dried mugwort (also called moxa, 艾灸), either burned directly on or held near the skin, to deliver therapeutic heat to specific points on the body. The warmth penetrates deeply, helping to stimulate circulation, move stagnant qi and nourish the body’s internal systems.
Cupping involves creating a partial vacuum in a glass cup – traditionally with a flame – and applying it directly to the skin to form a gentle suction. The cups are positioned on specific acupuncture points or over tight muscles to boost circulation, break up areas of congestion and create an avenue for toxins to be drawn out of the body. This increased blood flow helps relieve tension, reduce pain and speed up lymphatic circulation for a deeper sense of release and recovery
A skin scraping technique that uses a smooth-edged tool to gently – but firmly – stroke the skin in one direction. This motion helps stimulate circulation, ease muscle tension and reduce inflammation. Gua sha encourages blood flow, helping to clear metabolic waste congestion in the tissues and muscles, and promote cell renewal and regeneration.
Ear acupuncture uses specific points on the ear to support the entire body, based on the idea that the ear is a microsystem reflecting internal organs and systems. While its roots trace back to classical Chinese medicine, the modern approach was refined in the 1950s by French physician Dr. Paul Nogier. Auricular acupuncture is commonly used to support smoking cessation, anxiety, insomnia, pain relief, stress reduction and emotional wellbeing.
Ear seeds are used in auricular acupressure therapy to stimulate specific points on the ear without the use of needles. These small, discreet seeds (often made from Vaccaria) or magnetic metal pellets, (typically silver or gold-plated) provide gentle and continuous stimulation. Regular manual pressure helps maintain their effectiveness, while magnetic seeds deliver an ongoing magnetic field to enhance the treatment. They can be worn for several days at home, extending the benefits of the therapy beyond the treatment room.
Infrared heat therapy is used to warm and stimulate acupuncture points or areas of the body, helping to move qi and blood, dispel cold and relieve stagnation. By penetrating deeply into the tissues, the gentle heat supports circulation, eases pain, relaxes muscles, and encourages the body’s natural healing.
Electro-acupuncture is a modern enhancement of traditional acupuncture in which a gentle electrical current is applied to the needles after insertion through clips for deeper stimulation and longer-lasting effect. This gentle stimulation helps move qi and blood more strongly, reduce pain, relax muscles and improve circulation.
Dietary therapy in Chinese medicine harnesses the energetic properties of foods – such as their temperature, flavour and effect on specific organs – to support balance and wellbeing. Rather than focusing only on nutrients, it considers how foods influence the flow of qi and blood, strengthen the body and address patterns of imbalance. Recommendations are tailored to the individual, aiming to prevent illness, aid recovery and maintain harmony between body and mind.