Acupuncture

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the time tested therapy that has been practised in the Far East for thousands of years. The philosophy behind the treatment is that energy lines or meridians circulate around the body. These meridians contain our energy flow or “qi”. It is when this qi is impaired through the body that imbalance and illness occurs. With the insertion of fine needles at various points on the meridian, the energy can be moved or redirected to where it is needed most. In this way the body's balance can be restored and the illness resolved.

The flow of energy can be disrupted in many ways; emotional upset, physical trauma, poor diet or overwork are all common examples. By examining this underlying cause and how it has affected the body, the most appropriate treatment for the patient can be selected. Treating the patient as an individual is at the core of the acupuncture treatment and it this that helps allow the body to rebalance itself.

Blocked energy can manifest itself in areas that are painful or are particularly cold or hot, or a different colour. These signs can help determine which points are most suitable.

Western medicine has different opinions on how acupuncture works but in short, no one is really sure. However trial after trial consistently proves it effectiveness.

Acupuncture also includes other techniques such as cupping, moxibustion or acupressure.

The London Acupuncture Clinic

The London Acupuncture Clinic has recently joined The Hogarth Clinic and has long established clinics in Harley Street, Ealing and Windsor. For full clinic details, please visit www.londonacupuncture.co.uk

The following acupuncture clinic practitioners currently see patients at The Hogarth Clinic.

Martha Poulou – Acupuncturist LicAc, BSc (Hons) Acupuncture, MBAcC

Martha is a fully qualified acupuncturist and a member of the British Acupuncture Council. She graduated from the University of Westminster with a First Class Honours Degree in Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture and received a full scholarship to complete a postgraduate clinical placement at the China Medical University in Taichung, Taiwan. She has a particular interest in the use of subtle Japanese acupuncture techniques in the treatment of acute or persistent musculoskeletal conditions. Martha has also undertaken extensive research in the treatment of emotional and sleeping disorders with auricular as well as conventional body acupuncture. She is currently pursuing post-graduate studies in the treatment of gynaecological conditions. Martha is particularly interested in educating her patients about how aspects of their lifestyle, such as dietary changes, can improve their health and well-being and further contribute to the success of Chinese medicine treatments.

Martha’s areas of special interest include:

Musculoskeletal and rheumatic disorders
• Anxiety and sleeping disorders
• Menstrual disorders, infertility and IVF assistance

Rebecca Clarke – Acupuncturist and Herbalist BSc (Hons) Acupuncture, MBAcC, LicOHM, MRCHM, Internship Hangzhou, BSc (Hons) Neuroscience

Rebecca brings a breadth of knowledge into her acupuncture practice from a western medical perspective from her degree in neuroscience and her years of work with children, disabled and elderly people . She has extensive knowledge of Chinese medicine gained from training both here and in China. She has also completed an MSc in herbal medicine, run a herbal dispensary and worked as a research supervisor at one of the colleges. She is experienced in treating a wide range of sports injuries from knee problems in those training for a marathon to tennis players with wrist strain to golfers’ shoulder pain.

She is the Treasurer and a council member for the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine.

Rebecca’s areas of special interest include:
Menstrual disorders, Infertility, and IVF assistance
Neurological diseases such as neuralgia, Bell’s palsy, shingles, dementia and stroke

Daniel Elliott - Acupuncturist and Herbalist LLB Lic.Ac MBAcC Clin.Ac(China) Lic.OHM MRCHM

After graduating in 1996 and further study at the London College of Traditional Acupuncture (LCTA), Daniel developed his practice in Windsor and then continued his development with a period of hospital-based work in China and He then founded The London Acupuncture Clinic. He has been a member of the British Acupuncture Council since graduating from the LCTA where he also went on study Chinese Herbal Medicine and which he now uses in conjunction with acupuncture. He has acted as a consultant for the Oriental Medicine Research Trust and also sat on the British Acupuncture Council committee. As well as teaching, Daniel acts as an acupuncture expert for media companies such as SKY and magazines like Mens Health. Daniel has done extensive post graduate study and has published in the field of gynaecological disorders and infertility.

His particular areas of speciality include:

Menstrual disorders, Infertility, and IVF assistance
Back pain and Sciatica

Christina Goldoni - Acupuncturist and Herbalist BSc (Hons) Lic.Ac MBAcC Lic.OHM Clin.Ac(China) Clin.Hb(China)

Christina began her studies at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM) in New York and went on to earn her BSc(Hons) in Acupuncture from the University of Portsmouth. After a period of private practice in acupuncture she qualified with a Licentiate in Chinese Herbal Medicine from the London College of Traditional Acupuncture (LCTA) in 2003. At the Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China in 2002 she worked in the department of acupuncture treating patients for relief from back pain, joint pain, and neurological disorders. A year later she returned to China to intern in the gynaecology and dermatology departments. She has undertaken post graduate study in gynaecology and obstetrics in the UK and Germany, as well as completed a post graduate Dermatology Diploma in the UK.

She is a member of the British Acupuncture Council, the steering committee for the London Acupuncture Childbirth Team (ACT) and is also a trained doula.

Christina has several areas of special interest including:

Infertility (male and female), menstrual disorders and assisted conception
Pregnancy and childbirth
Pain relief: headaches, back ache, sciatica, carpal tunnel, tennis elbow
Skin disorders

Mihaela Mitroescu - Acupuncturist and Tuina practitioner Bsc (Hons) Lic.Ac Dip. Tuina

While training in acupuncture under Portsmouth university for her honours degree, Mihaela studied for Tuina (Chinese Medical Massage) at The London College of Traditional Acupuncture (LCTA). She is also studying classical Chinese Medicine under Dr Anaud Versluys.

Mihaela is particularly interested in stress management, using a traditional medical system and focusing this understanding on the problems of modern men and women leading busy lives. Stress is a foremost cause of health problems with the mental strain and anxiety of a fast-paced life often leading to emotional disturbances, fatigue, fertility issues, physical tension, digestive disorders and a myriad of other problems. Whilst addressing these disorders, Mihaela is dedicated to regulating the way the body and nervous system respond to stress, calm the mind and bring lasting balance to various systems. A passionate yoga practitioner, Mihaela brings a breadth of experience that stems from a lifelong pursuit of holistic wellness and a studied understanding of the relationship between body and mind.

In addition, she is dedicated to treating gynaecological conditions and fertility issues in conjunction with western therapies. Mihaela looks to take care of the entire spectrum of menstrual life, from puberty through to menopause, in order to optimise the experience of menstruation and restore fertilty. Mihaela also works at the NewLife fertility/IVF unit In Espom providing support to the consultant team.

Mihaela has several areas of special interest including: