Time has passed ridiculously swiftly. In 1980 realised I strongly wished to study Chinese medicine as a result of exploring taiji qian (tai chi) from my teens. I qualified in Acupuncture in 1984 and have been in continuous practice up to the present day.
In common with many acupuncturists of my generation I undertook much post graduate study as more aspects of Chinese medicine became available in the west. This included specialist subjects such as women’s reproductive health, supporting pregnancy, early work in assisted fertility, respiratory conditions, muscular skeletal disorders, stems and branches and how to understand autoimmune disease.
I had studied European herbs and was fortunate to be able to study Chinese Herbal Medicine when it first taught in Britain at the end of the 1980’s. The clinical aspect was certainly enlivened by volunteering for a year at the first herbal dispensary in Britain in Central London’s Soho, deep within the Chinese community.
I have been involved in teaching most of my working life. This includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, Taiji and clinical supervision.
Most acupuncturists are generalists by the inclusive nature of the tradition. However, I do retain a special interest in women’s health issues and fertility – a specialism of the acupuncture team here at Alma Vale Centre. Also muscular-skeletal dysfunction, respiratory issues, allergy complex and finding acupuncture solutions to unexplained pain. All of these are excellent subjects for Chinese Medicine. Thankfully I still practice taiji most days.
