Acupuncture
Acupuncture comes under the umbrella of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which dates back thousands of years. In fact, TCM is still the main form of medicine used to treat physical illness in China. Five-element acupuncture was first documented 2,000 years ago, and was developed from the 1960s by a western practitioner, J R Worsley, into the system that is used today in the West.

By identifying a link between our main organs and our emotions (for instance, the heart is linked to joy), Worsley and his Taoist predecessors were able to devise a system in which our organs, and consequently our emotions, could be rebalanced via acupuncture, and thus our health restored. This template fits well with the many emotionally linked illnesses predominating in western society today, from heart disease to cancer, making acupuncture an invaluable form of medicine.

How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture works on an energetic, or vibrational, level. Fine needles are used to access the Qi (energy) via meridians linked to the various organs in the body, to release any blockages in the channels and strengthen weak, undernourished areas. By stimulating the natural healing capacity of the body, it works to eliminate the root causes of illnesses and conditions on a physical, mental and emotional level, thus helping to bring the body back into balance.

At the first consultation, Saffron takes a detailed case history, from which she makes a full diagnosis, taking into account physical, emotional and lifestyle factors. She will also take the pulse, look at the tongue, and give a treatment at the end. Thereafter, she usually recommends a regular course of treatments for the benefits of acupuncture to be fully enjoyed.