About White Tara Acupuncture

Chinese and Five Element acupuncture
Acupuncturist working in the Poole, Dorchester, Weymouth and Purbeck area.

My training, work experience and any achievement

- BSc (Hons), Lic Ac, MBAcC
- I gained a BSc (Hons) and a licence to practise acupuncture (Lic Ac) from the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine in Reading (a three and a half year degree, including six months in clinic).
- I practise both traditional Chinese and Five Element acupuncture.
- The latter is a centuries-old system designed to treat the whole person (mind and body) and not just the syndrome.
- I am fully-insured and registered with the British Acupuncture Council, the largest acupuncture regulatory body in the UK.
- I am also licensed with Dorset council.
- I came to acupuncture after working as a journalist (primarily for the shipping industry) and as an English teacher.
- I am interested in health and Eastern philosophy and was looking for a career that combined the two; I was drawn to acupuncture as I have had treatments for over 20 years and found it to be effective.
- I have practised and taught yoga and meditation for over 20 years.
- I am trained in the Sivananda style of yoga (Senior Teacher Yoga Alliance 500 hours) and have also recently trained in Yin Yoga.
- I have qualifications in holistic and deep tissue massage from Jing Advanced Massage Training in Brighton and in Facial Enhancement Acupuncture.
- I am currently studying Chinese herbal medicine at the White Crane Academy.

Further Information

Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a 2000-year-old branch of Chinese Medicine. An acupuncture treatment aims to bring the body into balance, physically and emotionally. Very fine needles are inserted into specific points on the body to regulate the flow of Qi, thus stimulating a natural healing response and promoting relaxation. The initial treatment involves an in-depth diagnostic interview plus a treatment. When appropriate diet and lifestyle advice is also given.

Cupping
There are two types of cupping: moving and static. Moving increase blood and energy circulation in a general area and have a massage-like effect, while static cups are more site-specific. Sometimes a bruise-like mark may occur after treatment, but this is harmless and usually clears in a few days. The cups are made of glass, and fire is used to create suction. Oil can be used for lubrication.

Moxa
Moxa is a warming and nourishing treatment involving burning mugwort (artemisia vulgaris) in sticks, cones or boxes. As the herb burns, it penetrates deep into the body. It is good for pain and weakness conditions.

Gua sha
Gua Sha (coming from the Chinese word to scrape) involves using a tool to scrape the skin after oil is applied. It is said to increase circulation and so treat muscle stiffness and aches. It is also used to benefit the immune system and reduce inflammation, so it can be used to treat colds and fevers. The treatment can leave red marks (called sha) on the patient; these normally disappear in a few days.

Electro-acupuncture
As with traditional acupuncture, needles are inserted in specific points on the body, either an acupoint or a point where pain occurs. The needles are attached by clips to a small electrical device that generates continuous electric pulses. Electro-acupuncture is commonly used for pain relief and musculoskeletal issues.

Ear acupuncture
Needles are inserted into specific points in the ear, stimulating healing in the rest of the body. It is often used to reduce pain, calm the mind and ease withdrawal symptoms. Sometimes small ear seeds from the vaccaria plant are fixed to the ear so the patient can stimulate them after the treatment.

Facial Enhancement Acupuncture
This technique involves the insertion of needles in acupoints plus small dermal needles in wrinkles, which stimulates the muscles and aids collagen production. Often as a result of improved energy flow, the quality of the skin improves, plus the depth and severity of wrinkles. A typical treatment involves facial massage using jade rollers and gua sha tools. Serums and creams from the professional skincare range Medik8 are used.

Massage
I have a Level 3 Diploma in deep tissue and wholistic massage from Jing Advanced Massage in Brighton, the only institute in the UK which offers degree-level training in massage. The Jing method is a fusion of different techniques, including Swedish, shiatsu, and Thai. I have also completed CPD training in trigger point therapy.