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.