Acupuncture & Wellness: Tailored Care for You
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Acupuncture
Acupuncture balances energy flow, promoting health and overall wellness.
Auricular Acupuncture
Auricular acupuncture targets specific points on the ear to enhance overall well-being.
Cupping Therapy
Cupping therapy enhances circulation and alleviates muscle tension effectively.
NEW: Harmonic Resonance
Harmonic resonance with tuning forks enhances acupuncture points’ energetic balance (see featured image).
tuina
Tuina combines massage techniques to restore balance and promote wellness.
Acupuncture
For some, Chinese acupuncture is considered a primary-care treatment. It involves inserting sterile, single-use acupuncture needles into specific points on the body that correspond to the Chinese meridian system and organs. In the UK, practice is monitored by the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC)
Acupuncture is rooted in the East Asian medical system and has origins in Chinese medical texts that are over 2,000 years old, making it one of the oldest healthcare practices in the world. Acupuncture has evolved over the centuries, and there is increasing evidence of its benefits for various health issues.
Diagnosis is based on holistic principles, considering your symptoms, lifestyle, and emotional well-being. Acupuncture is a safe procedure when performed by a trained professional. Patients experience varying sensations during needle insertion; some feel little to nothing, while others liken it to having a hair plucked or report a dull, tingling sensation.
Electro-acupuncture
A mild electrical current is applied between acupuncture needles to boost stimulation of specific points for treatment. Carol Pletz uses this method to treat joint and muscle pain, stiffness, and issues related to gynecology and pregnancy.
Auricular Acupuncture
Ear acupuncture can be used alongside body acupuncture or as a standalone treatment. It typically involves the use of smaller acupuncture needles, semi-permanent needles, or metal pellets or seeds, which are held in place with plasters..
Ear acupuncture stimulates ear points to prevent and treat illnesses, relieve pain, and influence organs, mood, and bodily functions. Ancient Chinese texts, like the Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen (403–221 BC), highlight the important link between the body’s channels and the ear. For thousands of years, Chinese doctors have treated conditions by massaging, heating, or using controlled bleeding of ear points.
In the 1950s, Dr. Paul Nogier introduced the modern form of auricular therapy after 30 years of research and observation. He used an upside-down image of a tiny human to connect the body with reflex points in the ear. In the 1970s, the Black Panther movement opened the first auricular acupuncture centre in New York, developing the NADA protocol, which is still used to address various issues, including detoxification and PTSD.
“The body is a magnificent system, which has its own self-healing methods. If there is an imbalance in the body or its healing mechanism, this will be reflected in the associated part of the ear. If that part is stimulated, the corresponding part of the body will react to it.
In 1950, Dr. Nogier led a World Health Organization group to standardise ear acupuncture as a valid treatment. Now widely used in Europe and the US, it’s practised by acupuncturists, nurses, and physiotherapists. Since the 1970s, the NADA protocol has been used for PTSD and “battlefield acupuncture.” In the 1980s, John Tindell introduced NADA to the UK, opening the Gateway Clinic to support AIDS and HIV patients.
Cupping
Cupping is an ancient, holistic method used for a variety of problems. It was first documented in China and Egypt. The Chinese practice of cupping involves placing sterile cups on points or sliding them along the meridians of the body to help the blood or Qi flow. Currently, cupping therapy is used for health promotion, prophylaxis, and the treatment of various diseases around the world.
Therapists create a vacuum or suction in the cup by placing a flammable substance such as alcohol, herbs, or paper in the cup and setting it on fire. As the air inside the cup cools, it creates a suction. The cup is placed on the body at a specific point or over larger areas, drawing the skin and superficial muscle layer into the cup to help the blood and Qi (energy) flow more easily in areas of stagnation.
Although there may be reddening similar to the appearance of a bruise as blood flows into the area, the muscles are not damaged in the same way that pressure or squeezing would produce. Cupping is typically used to relieve respiratory conditions, improve health, or treat musculoskeletal conditions. World-class athletes made headlines with their use of cupping to enhance their performance and recover at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Harmonic Resonance
Harmonic Resonance uses sound frequencies to help restore balance in the body. Practitioners apply tuning forks, chimes, or singing bowls to create vibrations that travel through tissues, promoting relaxation and easing tension. By targeting specific points, this technique supports physical and emotional alignment, making it a gentle, effective wellness approach.
Many people enjoy the deep relaxation and sense of well-being that follows a sound bath, which uses resonant sounds and vibrations to promote calm and energy flow.
Acoustic resonators, however, take this approach further by incorporating precise acupuncture diagnostic principles and point selection, enhancing the therapeutic experience and outcomes. These resonators are crafted with high precision to ensure accurate tone intervals (such as musical 2nd, 3rd, or 4th) for optimal effect.
This is an excellent therapy for those who want the benefits of acupuncture without needles and is a new service offered by Carol Pletz.
“The role of the Sound Healing practitioner is to identify where there is an imbalance and work with the body, mind, and spirit to ease it back into balance.
TuiNa
TuiNa translates as ‘push and grasp’ and is a sophisticated style of medical massage. It is used to treat injuries, joint issues, internal disorders, and stress-related problems. TuiNa was officially recognised by the Chinese government in 1949 for its health benefits. According to the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences, TuiNa promotes and re-establishes health while restoring injured tissues.
Based on the diagnostic principles, points, and channels of acupuncture, TuiNa stimulates the meridians and acupuncture points without the use of needles. It is performed fully clothed without oils and can be both vigorous or gentle, depending on the condition being treated.
This treatment goes beyond a spa massage procedure and is particularly suitable for children and individuals who prefer a less invasive alternative to needles. TuiNa can be conducted while seated, making it highly suitable for demonstrations and group treatments in offices during working hours.
“It is the massage of acupuncture points and meridians. It is best described as a mixture of Western massage, Japanese Shiatsu, and subtle Chiropractic methods.
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