In 2004, after a period of illness I had a long course of acupuncture, both in Newport - Pembrokeshire and in the Vale of Glamorgan. The impact which acupuncture had on me was significant and it played a huge part in getting me back on my feet and back to the land of the living. My illness left me with ME / Chronic Fatigue type symptoms.

Acupuncture consists of the gentle insertion of fine, sterile, disposable needles into strategic points near the surface of the body. These points, which are so effective in treating disease, have been mapped by the Chinese over a period of two thousand years.


Many people experience a profound feeling of relaxation and well being during and after an acupuncture treatment, some people may experience some pain which lasts for a short time.

Acupuncture works by stimulating the flow of "Qi" or energy throughout the body. Where there is injury, the Qi gets stuck or becomes deficient. The insertion of needles helps bring the body's attention to the area and resume the free flow of energy.

Qi flows through a system of twelve major pathways or meridians. Each meridian is connected internally to a specific organ such as the lung or liver. The acupuncture points along these pathways can be used to affect a corresponding internal organ. When Qi in the meridians is balanced, the result is a state of wellbeing.

From a western medicine point of view acupuncture causes many physiological changes in the body including increased blood flow, stimulation of hormones and neurotransmitters, and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system (allowing the patient to achieve very deep relaxation). Acupuncture invokes an analgesic effect by altering the body's own natural pain-relieving opiate system.

Acupuncture works surprisingly quickly. Most patients experience a great reduction in their symptoms after the first treatment.

If you would be interested in becoming a case study for me then please get in touch. The case study would consist of 2 treatments per week for 3 weeks. The 6 sessions would cost £75 - 50% off the usual cost of treatments!!

I am often asked whether reflexology can benefit arthritis sufferers. So, I have found some research which demonstrates it's positive effects:


Chi, J., "Effect of Foot Reflexo-massage on Rheumatoid Arthritis." 1996 China Reflexology Symposium Report, Beijing : China Reflexology Association, pages 93-94.

3 female patients, ages 37. 50 & 62, with acute and chronic stages of rheumatoid arthritis were given 7 sessions of foot reflexology for one hour every other day. They were relieved of knee pain and joint swelling disappeared after 2-4 courses. It was found that foot reflexology can improve blood and lymphatic circulation, strengthen immune function, reduce ischemia and hypoxia of arthropathic limbs but should be used with caution or avoided in cases of uncontrolled acute inflammation.

REFLEX ACTION Reported By Kath Harper, LifeWise, Australia, May 1993

Thirty-five female patients were involved in the study. Group 1 was composed of ten patients with long term arthritic pain. Three of the lower back, two of the neck, three of the shoulder and two of the knees/hips. After 10 treatments all 10 patients noticed some relief with 6 patients showing no recurrence of pain over a period of thirty days.

TREATMENT OF KNEE ARTHRALGIA WITH REFLEXOLOGY: AN ANALYSIS OF SEVENTEEN CASES By Chen Guang-ming, Yang-Hua Clinic, Shen Zhen City

Eight females and nine males, aged 5 to 80 years old, received ten daily 30 - 45 minute foot reflexo-therapy treatment. Arthralgia (joint pain) was caused by trauma in 5 cases, and by arthritis in 12 cases. Results: eleven patients (64.71%), including the 5 trauma caused cases completely recovered. Four patients (23.53%) improved. Two patients (11.76%) were unaffected.

Zhi-xian, Ma and Jin-li, Zhang, "Foot Reflexology in the Treatment of Acromioclavicular Arthritis, (19)96 Beijing International Reflexology Conference (Report), China Preventive Medical Association and the Chinese Society of Reflexology, Beijing, 1996, p. 55

Forty-two cases of acromioclaviclar (shoulder) arthritis received thirty minute sessions of foot reflexology once a day for 15 days. At the finish, 8 were "cured," 20 were "distinctly effective" and 14 cases were "improved."

I lived in Japan from 1997-8 and when I came back to the UK, the book, 'Memoirs of a Geisha' by Arthur Golden hit the high street. I read the book way back when and then lent the book to a friend and never had it back. Another friend bought me a replacement book some years later, and recently, I've rediscovered and re-read the book. It's definitely one of the best books I've ever read and it takes me right back to Japan; the sights, sounds, language and culture.

In my hunt for Japanese based fiction, I found 'The Tale of Murasaki' by Liza Dalby. Liza's website says: "Murasaki Shikibu was an 11th-century Japanese court lady who wrote the long, psychologically astute work of literature called The Tale of Genji. This Japanese classic has been recognized as the world's first novel. Recounted in the voice of Lady Murasaki at the end of her life, Liza Dalby's novel, The Tale of Murasaki, is about this remarkable woman and her life in the Heian era, Japan's golden age of high aesthetics, sexual politics, and literary brilliance". It's an excellent book and definitely a good follow on if Memoirs of a Geisha has got you interested!

I also found 'Samurai William' by Giles Milton in an airport on the way out to Jamaica. I spent the whole holiday pouring over the book while sitting by the pool and only stopping to eat, swim and sleep!! The book chronicles the history of William Adams and his adventures: "In 1611 an astonishing letter arrived at the the East India Trading Company in London after a tortuous seven-year journey. Englishman William Adams was one of only twenty-four survivors of a fleet of ships bound for Asia, and he had washed up in the forbidden land of Japan. The traders were even more amazed to learn that, rather than be horrified by this strange country, Adams had fallen in love with the barbaric splendour of Japan -- and decided to settle. He had forged a close friendship with the ruthless Shogun, taken a Japanese wife and sired a new, mixed-race family. Adams' letter fired up the London merchants to plan a new expedition to the Far East, with designs to trade with the Japanese and use Adams' contacts there to forge new commercial links. Samurai William brilliantly illuminates a world whose horizons were rapidly expanding eastwards." The story is that told in the 1980s in the TV series, 'Shogun'.

I'm always on the hunt for new Japanese stories retold in English. If you come across one, please let me know!!

Just before Easter I had a call to say that my elderly grandmother had suffered a stroke. I remembered vaguely, from my reflexology diploma study days the anatomy and physiology parts which covered stroke. But I thought I should refresh my memory about the causes of and rehabilitation from stroke. The Stroke Association says: A stroke is what happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Blood carries essential nutrients and oxygen to

the brain. Without a blood supply, brain cells can be damaged or destroyed and won’t be able to do their job.

Because the brain controls everything the body does, damage to the brain will affect body functions. For example, if a stroke damages the part of the brain that controls how limbs move, limb movement will be affected.

The brain also controls how we think, learn, feel and communicate. A stroke can also affect these mental processes.

A stroke is sudden and the effects on the body are immediate.

The NHS says:
There are two main causes of strokes:
• Ischaemic (accounting for 70% of all cases): the blood supply is stopped due to a blood clot.
• Haemorrhagic: a weakened blood vessel supplying the brain bursts and causes brain damage.

From my days working in the NHS, I remember that speed was of the essence when dealing with patients who had just suffered a stroke. The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has clinical guidance for the 'Diagnosis and initial management of acute stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA)' as well as a guideline in development for 'stroke rehabilitation'.

It's our second wedding anniversary tomorrow and I can't believe how the time has flown. It's been a very busy two years, what with moving house, starting up businesses, buying and selling a few cars and a few boughts of peculiar and unexpected illness thrown in for good measure!! So, we're treating ourselved to a bank holiday weekend full of nice things! Yesterday we had a half day spa at Nant Ddu Lodge. It's a beautiful place, just on the edge of the Brecon Beacons. You can swim in the pool and watch the snow falling at the same time. The food is great and there's plenty of it! We may even make it an annual event! Last night we had a family gathering to celebrate my mother in law's birthday with Chinese take-away and birthday cake!! Lovely!!! We may venture to the cinema today and tomorrow it's lunch at the fabulous Bunch of Grapes in Pontypirdd. It's a gastro pub situated behind B&Q and if you didn't know if was there, you'd never find it!!! We were taken there by some good friends and we've been itching for an excuse to go back! We also decided that this year we wouldn't do presents, just cards, but the cards have to be hand made. I've made mine today and my husband's been seeking moral support and creative advice at his big sister's house!!! I can't wait until tomorrow to swap cards. It's far more exciting that opening something bought from Tesco! Here's to more creative gifting and DIY cards!!! Happy Easter everyone!!!