Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. Fine needles are inserted gently into points on the body's surface to stimulate healing. Acupuncture is believed to promote the healthy flow of "Qi" (pronounced chee), or life force, that circulates through energy lines or meridians in the body. The flow of Qi can be disturbed by a number of factors which include trauma, infections, anxiety, depression, poor nutrition or hereditary factors. Each meridian is associated with a different organ system and if the flow of Qi becomes blocked then an individual experiences pain or illness. Acupuncture works to balance the energy flow in that area and therefore supports the body’s ability to heal itself. I qualified as a pharmacist from Bradford University in 1980 and worked in community pharmacy for more than 25 years. During this time, I became aware of the problems and side-effects of some prescribed medicines and developed an interest in alternative therapies. Following my recovery from a stroke in 2005, I studied massage therapy at Darlington College and then went on to study acupuncture at the prestigious Northern College of Acupuncture in York. I was awarded a post-graduate Diploma in Acupuncture in 2010.
