From a physiological viewpoint, acupuncture works by using acupuncture needles to stimulate key points on the peripheral nervous system. This sends signals up the spine to the brain upon receiving these signals, the brain then triggers a series of reactions influencing the production of the body’s communication substances – hormones and neurotransmitters in order to decrease pain, relax the muscles, increase range of motion and increase blood flow to the painful area. The resulting biochemical changes activate the body’s self-regulating homoeostatic systems, stimulating its natural healing abilities and promoting physical and emotional well-being.

At your first session, a full case history is taken in order to get to know you. Treatments generally take place whilst lying on a couch and you are fully clothed. The session often starts with gentle touch at the feet and then move around the body using different hand holds. It may be necessary for the practitioner to stay in one place for several minutes to allow the system to settle and let go of whatever it is holding. You will be told what is happening throughout and will be encouraged to ‘listen’ to your own body in order to fully understand its needs.

Usually, the client has a deep sense of relaxation and may get the sensation they are floating. They may feel different types of releasing such as heat, tingling, fuzzing, stretching sensation, rippling water sensations, cold or occasionally an emotional release.

The effect may be immediate but often the body continues releasing over the following days and thereafter you should notice a difference in your well-being. Sometimes one session is enough but generally, depending on your history and the length of time you have had the symptoms, you may need several sessions. It is important to drink water and rest if you need to. You will also be encouraged to notice what makes you feel better, like exercise, food, mindfulness. Tips and exercises may also be given.

Younger children typically communicate more through showing and doing rather than by talking and so therapy will involve playing or drawing alongside your child. With primary aged children, Kathryn can help with a school homework as a ‘way in’ to building the trust needed for more open and fluent communication. It may make more sense to a child that they are going to work with someone on an aspect of learning, for example to learn their times tables. Once tuition is underway, Kathryn starts to access a child’s emotional or social difficulties and begins to work with these at the same time. The obvious advantage is that your child will do some useful academic learning too! For those children who especially lack confidence with schoolwork and are therefore reluctant to have this focus, Kathryn has had success using her African drums. She can teach your child some African drumming to build rapport and energise the session with feelings of enjoyment. If a lack of self-confidence is the main concern, Kathryn can then move forward to address this, perhaps with the introduction of schoolwork if this is one area where your child lacks self-confidence. The priority is to connect in the way which best suits your child and his or her unique preferences and needs. Often a physical complaint which seems to have no medical basis treatable by your GP, can be rooted in social and emotional difficulties or trauma. Children can often name an emotion as a physical pain or sickness. For example, what is described as the tummy ache after breakfast can in fact be anxiety about how to cope with aspects of the school day. Together with you, Kathryn can gently unpick symptoms to find and treat the root cause. Before working with your child, Kathryn will invite you to meet or have a phone conversation with her first. This will be helpful in ‘setting the scene’ for Kathryn and for you to have confidence in how she will work with your child.

It can be suitable for a wide range of conditions such as stress, anxiety, panic attacks, neck and back pain, irritable bowel, fibromyalgia and migraines as it assists the body to use its own self-repair mechanism. When a client asks "Can you treat…..", Lulu’s response is that she treats the body as a whole. She focuses on the health within the system and she does not "treat" a symptom. It is remarkable what the body can do if it comes back into balance. As we go through life, we pile on stresses and strains to our bodies in the form of accidents, injuries, operations, abuse (both physical and emotional), bereavement, illnesses – all these add to the tension held within the physiology of the body and there comes a time when our body’s ‘coping level’ is breached. This is when, Lulu feels, that things start to go wrong. The body can no longer look after itself; it can no longer self-heal. There have been research studies throughout the world on the efficacy of CST with neck pain, quality of life, fibromyalgia, general pain, lower back pain, migraine and viral meningitis. For information please go to the CSTA website.

CST is a safe and gentle choice for pregnant women, babies and children. Itis gentle and supportive to the physical and emotional needs of the individual. During pregnancy it can be used for minor ailments such as back pain, stressand anxiety regarding the birth by balancing the nervous system and generallysupporting both mother and baby in the preparation for birth; the treatment isusually carried out whilst lying sideways.

CST is a safe and gentle choice for pregnant women, babies and children. It is gentle and supportive to the physical and emotional needs of the individual. During pregnancy it can be used for minor ailments such as back pain, stress and anxiety regarding the birth by balancing the nervous system and generally supporting both mother and baby in the preparation for birth; the treatment is usually carried out whilst lying sideways.

CST is a safe and gentle choice for pregnant women, babies and children. Itis gentle and supportive to the physical and emotional needs of the individual. During pregnancy it can be used for minor ailments such as back pain, stressand anxiety regarding the birth by balancing the nervous system and generallysupporting both mother and baby in the preparation for birth; the treatment isusually carried out whilst lying sideways.

During a reiki session, the practitioner places their hands either directly on you or just above you to bring about healing. Using Reiki the practitioner is able to stimulate your body's natural healing abilities through channelling universal energy.

CST is beneficial even if the pregnancy and birth were trouble-free. It can also offer support for establishing and supporting breastfeeding, developing good sleep patterns, with early infant feeding problems including colic and reflux as well as bonding with parents and siblings. Babies often come for craniosacral therapy in the first weeks following birth. The baby’s mother and father will usually be asked to be part of the session and as the baby responds to the treatment, this shared experience can deepen the bonds within the new family. Babies are often treated whilst feeding or being cuddled. Sometimes mother and baby are treated together.

A typical reiki session lasts around 60 minutes. At your first appointment, your reiki practitioner will discuss your symptoms, any sensitive areas and any expectations or intentions you may have. The session is fully clothed, on a couch and you will be covered with a blanket. Usually soft, relaxing music will be playing in the background. For the most part there won’t be any talking during the session, you can switch off. The practitioner will move their hands around your body. They may touch you lightly or have their hands just above your body.

As younger children become teenagers, they are increasingly vulnerable to the negative behaviours of their peers. Social media puts pressures on young people in a way which older adults did not experience for themselves. Anxieties and loss of control commonly can be played out in terms of developing a negative body image or an unhealthy relationship with food. Physical self-harming can be an expression of overwhelming feelings of inadequacy, or of any other negative emotion which simply won’t seem to go away. Your child’s teens are a time of rapid change which can be as confounding for you as they are frightening for your child. As your teenager struggles to come to terms with their sexuality, self-identity and growing independence and responsibilities, you are likely to find yourself on the ‘sharp end’ of it all, feeling sometimes bewildered by the strength of his or her negative emotions. Kathryn will ‘get alongside’ your teenager first to understand, then to heal and finally to empower them with the tools required to move forward positively. Using a range of psychotherapeutic techniques, she will work to develop his or her self-understanding, self-confidence and compassion, whilst equipping them with ways of thinking and behaving which will help them to navigate their way through difficulties. As with younger children, if working together for example on a piece of English homework, might serve as a useful springboard to creating trust and rapport, then Kathryn will start with this. It’s entirely up to you and can be decided through a phone conversation with Kathryn before meeting.

Babies often come for craniosacral therapy in the first weeks following birth. The baby’s mother and father will usually be asked to be part of the session and as the baby responds to the treatment, this shared experience can deepen the bonds within the new family. CST is beneficial even if the pregnancy and birth were trouble-free. It can also offer support for establishing and supporting breastfeeding, developing good sleep patterns, with early infant feeding problems including colic and reflux as well as bonding with parents and siblings. Babies are often treated whilst feeding or being cuddled. Sometimes mother and baby are treated together.

Laura integrates two styles of acupuncture in her practice: Five Element and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): FIVE ELEMENT ACUPUNCTURE Within Five Element acupuncture, your individual constitution will resonate most strongly with one of nature’s five archetypal forces: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. One of these will describe your essential self. Five Element acupuncture can adjust the balance of your body, mind and spirit, and help to address your core issues. TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM) This approach uses acupuncture, to harmonise your organ functions and musculoskeletal system, to treat specific symptoms and conditions.

Babies often come for craniosacral therapy in the first weeks following birth. The baby’s mother and father will usually be asked to be part of the session and as the baby responds to the treatment, this shared experience can deepen the bonds within the new family. CST is beneficial even if the pregnancy and birth were trouble-free. It can also offer support for establishing and supporting breastfeeding, developing good sleep patterns, with early infant feeding problems including colic and reflux as well as bonding with parents and siblings. Babies are often treated whilst feeding or being cuddled. Sometimes mother and baby are treated together.

When someone mentions needles, most people tend to think of those used in injections and blood tests. Acupuncture needles bear little resemblance to these. They are much, much finer. The needles are either inserted for a second or two and then removed or left in place for 5- 20 minutes, depending on the desired effect. Patients describe the sensations differently – the most common is that of a tingling or dull ache when a point is stimulated and the feeling then quickly fades.

Many people have acupuncture to treat digestive conditions, mental and emotional disorders, cardiovascular conditions, respiratory disorders, gynaecological conditions and infertility, addictions, fatigue and tiredness, musculo-skeletal conditions, back pain, relationship issues, stress and insomnia, hair loss and premature ageing. Other people choose acupuncture when they can feel their bodily functions are out of balance, but they have no obvious diagnosis. And many have regular treatments because they find it very beneficial and relaxing.

Children of all ages can benefit from Craniosacral Therapy. CST is a nurturing and calming approach to childhood healthcare. Many common behavioural, social, and learning difficulties respond well to CST. The treatment process is gentle and supportive. The session can be done whilst playing on the floor or whilst reading.

You may experience sensations in the body such as heat or tingling. Some people report seeing visualizations such as colours or pictures, or having memories appear. Try to allow whatever arises to pass without attaching too much meaning to it. Your experiences may become deeper the more you continue with reiki.

Children of all ages can benefit from Craniosacral Therapy. CST is a nurturing and calming approach to childhood healthcare. Many common behavioural, social, and learning difficulties respond well to CST. The treatment process is gentle and supportive. The session can be done whilst playing on the floor or whilst reading.

Most of the time patients feel little to nothing when having acupuncture. However, everyone is different and on occasion it can be painful, however it is still nothing in comparison to the pain of hypodermic needles used in injections or when giving blood. If you are concerned about the needles, acupressure can be used to achieve similar results in most situations, so don’t let fear of needles put you off coming along for a chat to see if acupuncture can help you

Children of all ages can benefit from Craniosacral Therapy. CST is a nurturing and calming approach to childhood healthcare. Many common behavioural, social, and learning difficulties respond well to CST. The treatment process is gentle and supportive. The session can be done whilst playing on the floor or whilst reading.

Reiki is reported to improve general wellbeing and quality of life. It may also help reduce pain and anxiety, helps with depression and boosts mood. For research and randomised trials, go to The UK Reiki Federation website.

Your first consultation will be 1.5 hours and follow up treatments will be 1 hour. This first session is an opportunity for you to voice any concerns about your health and not only physical strains, but mental and emotional ones as well. Laura will assess your general state of health in order to identify any underlying patterns of disharmony. You will be asked about your current symptoms, your medical history and that of your close family, your diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and emotional state. To discover how the energy (Qi) in your body is flowing Laura will then feel your pulses on both wrists, noting their quality, rhythm and strength. She will look at the colour, structure and coating of your tongue to give indicators of your physical health. She will palpate specific acupuncture points and channels to diagnose any deficiency. I will palpate your abdomen for points of discomfort and feel for temperature differences on your torso and back to find areas of stagnation. Once enough information is gathered to determine the likely causes of your problems, a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs. There are around 500 recognised acupuncture points on the body. Stimulation of specific points affect the function of certain organs or areas of the body. However, the points selected may not always be close to the part of the body where the problem is experienced. For example, although you may suffer with headaches, needles may be inserted in your foot or hand. In conjunction with needling, Laura may use techniques such as Moxibustion, Cupping, Guasha, Massage or Electro-acupuncture. She may also suggest dietary or lifestyle changes.

There is a growing body of evidence-based clinical research which is discovering how the body responds to acupuncture and its benefits for a wide range of common health conditions including:  Acne  Anxiety  Asthma  Back pain  Cancer care  Chronic fatigue  Colds and flu  Cystitis  Dementia  Depression  Eczema  Endometriosis  Fertility  Fibromyalgia  Frozen shoulder  Gastrointestinal Tract Disorders  Gout  Headaches  Herpes  Infertility  Insomnia  Irritable bowel syndrome  Menopausal symptoms  Migraines  Multiple Sclerosis  Osteoarthritis  Parkinsons Disease  PCOS  Post-operative pain  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder  Premenstrual syndrome  Rheumatoid Arthritis  Sciatica  Sports Injuries  Stress  Substance Misuse  Tennis Elbow  Vertigo

The treatment of specific points or areas may be supplemented with different techniques: MOXIBUSTION Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort – on specific acupuncture points to facilitate healing. Moxibustion has been used throughout Asia for thousands of years. It is used to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of Qi, and maintain general health. GUASHA Gua Sha is a healing technique used throughout Asia. It is a form of massage that uses a flat edged tool to release muscle tension and promote the movement of blood and Qi in an area. CUPPING Cupping is a technique used around the world in many different traditions. A vacuum is created inside a clean glass cup, which is placed on the skin to release toxins and promote the movement of Qi and blood around the body. TUI NA Tui Na is a Chinese massage therapy used to treat chronic pain, especially that caused by muscle-skeletal conditions and injuries. It is, however, impossible to treat a specific condition with Tui Na without improving the overall Qi status of the body. This means that a whole range of physical and emotional problems can also be treated.

In acupuncture theory, everyone is considered to be unique and therefore the number of treatments required varies depending on the individual patient and what it is they want to achieve. Initially, I recommend that you visit once or twice a week, although some conditions/situations may need more or less frequent attention. Sometimes the effects of treatment are dramatic and one or two treatments are enough to get people back on track. With other patients, the effects are more subtle and they may need treatment over a longer period. Individuals may also seek treatment as a preventative measure. In this instance, after the initial few sessions, treatment will spread out over longer periods and these treatments will often be seasonal. I advise patients that they should anticipate coming for at least 6 treatments over a 4-6 week period initially. By the end of this period, most patients have a good idea whether acupuncture is moving them forward and together we can decide on the next appropriate step

Occasionally a small bruise can appear at a needle site. Sometimes people can feel dizzy or tired after a treatment but this passes quickly.