I trained for 4 years and qualified at the Northern College of Acupuncture in York, graduating in 2001, gaining full entry to the British Acupuncture Council (M.B.Ac.C), the professional body for acupuncturists. https://www.acupuncture.org.uk/

I then went on to further study in Chinese hospitals in Hangzhou, in China, working on a busy outpatients ward.

Back in the UK I have been in full time practice as an acupuncturist since then, and the 19 years of experience treating patients I’ve been lucky to learn from, and the thousands of hours needed to begin to master anything, I’ve been privileged to see the benefits and improvement patients have made during treatment. That has motivated and driven me to develop my skills and learning to help my patients.

I jointly ran an NHS acupuncture pain service, part of the Nottingham City CCG pain clinic, for 10years. Delivering care and a service for patients with chronic pain. I’ve completed specialist training with some of the best and most experienced acupuncturists in the world, from Jane Lyttleton in Fertility, Debra Betts and Sarah Budd in Obstetrics and pregnancy. Julian Scott, Giovanni Maciocia, and Jenny Longbottom.

My story in acupuncture began 25 years ago.

I initially studied a degree in Psychology (B.Sc.Hons) and then went to work in mental health, which I really enjoyed, but it was stressful at times, and after having migraines since childhood, they increased. A friend had just qualified in acupuncture and suggested we try to have a look at the migraines.

The treatment made a big difference on the migraines, but it also made me feel different, less stressed.

What I found really interesting was the way Chinese medicine explained the migraines and the things I could do to influence them. It viewed our health as changeable and influenced by what we do. From activity, diet, stress, and how we approach things. This really appealed to me. Health conditions weren’t fixed things. They could be worked with to change them in the context of our overall health. It got me thinking it may work well in mental health as well…. So I decided to train. And I’m so glad I did. Its been a wonderful job. Helping people with health problems to get better and feel well again.