Anne Woolgrove

Five Element Acupuncture

with Anne Woolgrove (MBAcC)

I became interested in acupuncture through my own experience of having treatment. I found myself becoming increasingly fascinated by the profound wisdom contained within this holistic system of medicine.

I graduated from the College of Traditional Acupuncture at Leamington Spa in 1996, receiving a Licentiate of Acupuncture. Since then I have furthered my studies, and have a particular interest in the use of acupuncture during pregnancy and childbirth.

Five Element Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the world's oldest systems of medicine, and began with the discovery that the stimulation of specific areas of the skin affected the functioning of certain organs of the body.

Five Element Acupuncture focuses on the whole person rather than specifically concentrating on a particular symptom or illness. Each person is therefore treated uniquely. In Chinese Medicine, when the body sends out distress signals in the form of any symptom, it is a sign that there is an imbalance in that person's vital life energy, known as Qi. This must be re-balanced to restore health.

The role of the acupuncturist is to decode the complex and varied signs of physical and emotional unwellness, anf then to address the rhythm of balance and imbalance, in each individual's uniqueenergetic make-up. This is done by gently stimulating specific points on the body using fine hair-like needles. This enhances the person's own powers of recovery, enabling their body/mind/spirit to heal itself as far as Nature will allow.

Many people come to acupuncture for help with a specific symptom or condition such as anxiety, arthritis, asthma, back pain, circulatory problems, depression, high blood pressure,insomnia, menstrual problems, migraines and general unwellness.

As treatment is directed at restoring the overall energy balance of each individual, as well as dealing with the symptoms, the person will usually feel better in a more general way, often reporting having more energy, increased confidence or a greater enjoyment of life.

At your first appointment a thorough diagnosis is made, which can take up to two hours. It takes into account your medical and family history, your lifestyle, how your various systems function (e.g. appetite, sleep, energy levels, etc.) and your present condition.
The information gathered helps to build a clearer picture of you as a whole person, and is essential in determining the root cause of the problem, and the individual treatment required for you. All information is taken in the strictest of confidence.

Subsequent treatment sessions, lasting up to 1 hour, will then follow according to your needs, dependant upon the severity of your complaint, how long you have had it, and whether there is anything in your lifestyle that is interfering with the progress of healing. Generally, you will be asked to come weekly to begin with, and then, as you improve, visits will be less frequent.

Very fine, disposable needles are used, and other treatment methods may also be appropriate, such as Moxibustion. This is the application of warmth by burning a herb called Moxa over an acupuncture point; or Chinese massage called tui na.

In order to maximise the effectiveness of the treatment, it is suggested that you only eat a light meal 2 hours before or after a treatment, and that no alcohol is consumed on that day.