Acupuncture is a fundamental component of Chinese Medicine, a system of medicine that has existed for centuries. This system interprets everything in the universe both Yin and Yang, opposite forces that complement each other and, when in balance, create harmony. As a broad example regarding acupuncture treatments, the aim for the patient is to balance the more dynamic Yang with the more restorative Yin. Predominance or weakness of either can lead to a host of symptoms or syndromes.
Chinese Medicine is good at seeing how things interrelate, e.g. the organs of the body, their energetic roles and how they work together to assure our physical and emotional health. Both Yin and Yang, ‘Qi’ is a life force that flows through us and drives many processes in the body and mind. Acupuncture aims to balance the flow of Qi so that it is smooth, ensuring your bodily processes are as healthy as they can be.
My training combined Chinese Medicine with Five Element Theory, which views the human experience in terms of the relationship between five elements – Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. These embody the roles of the different Organs, their associated ‘spirits’ and emotions, and how they impact on the body and mind. It is a useful way of interpreting the imbalances that can occur in our health, and the aim of treatment is to try and return to a more balanced state (this is called ‘homeostasis’ in Conventional Medicine). The great advantage of Five Element Acupuncture is that it gets to the ‘Ben’ or root of the problem. I think instinctively we know how emotions can impact on our health, but Conventional Medicine is only now discussing this more, e.g. the involvement of stress in many health conditions, or the connection between the gut microbiome and the brain. I strongly believe in the benefits of approaching health from both a Chinese and a Conventional Medicine perspective, and that the two can learn a lot from each other.
Many famous Chinese doctors through the centuries have added to the canon of classical literature, the framework of Chinese Medicine philosophy. The most important texts are the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (Su Wen and Ling Shu), and the Classic of Difficulties (Nan Jing). Acupuncture is now practised around the world. If you would like to find out more about it, you can visit here.
Acupuncture is a core part of Chinese Medicine, a system of healthcare developed over many centuries. It is now practised worldwide and draws on a rich body of classical texts, centuries of various schools and practitioners developing the art, and modern research validating and refining it.
Qi (pronounced ‘chee’) is understood in Chinese Medicine as a life force that flows through the body and drives many physical and mental processes. When the flow of Qi becomes blocked or unbalanced, symptoms and health issues can arise. Acupuncture aims to restore a smooth, balanced flow of Qi to support overall health.
Yin and Yang are opposing but complementary forces that Chinese Medicine sees as fundamental to health. Yang is more dynamic and active; Yin is more restorative and nourishing. When they are in balance, the body is in harmony. An excess or deficiency of either can lead to a range of symptoms. Acupuncture works to restore that balance.
Five Element Theory views health through the lens of five elements — Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood — each associated with specific organs, emotions and aspects of the mind. Catherine’s training combines traditional Chinese Medicine with Five Element Theory, which is particularly effective at identifying the underlying root cause of health issues rather than just addressing symptoms.
Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, acupuncture looks at how the body’s systems interrelate — including the connection between physical health and emotional wellbeing. This is something conventional medicine is increasingly recognising, for example in research into the role of stress in chronic illness and the relationship between the gut and the brain. Catherine believes both approaches have value and are best understood as complementary.
Acupuncture is focused on reaching the ‘Ben’, or root cause of a problem, and symptom clutsters, rather than managing symptoms alone. The goal is to return the body to a more balanced state, known in conventional medicine as homeostasis.
Acupuncture has a wide range of applications, from pain and musculoskeletal issues to gynaecological, digestive, hormonal and emotional health, chronic conditions and pregnancy support. The British Acupuncture Council publishes an evidence A–Z covering many specific conditions at acupuncture.org.uk.
When carried out by a qualified practitioner, acupuncture is considered very safe. Catherine is a member of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC), which requires members to meet rigorous training and professional standards. If you have any specific health concerns, you can contact Catherine before booking or visit the Cautions and Important Information page on this site.