Plymouth Acupuncture Group

Like many practitioners, Kevin first became interested in complementary therapies following a period of sustained illness. The effect of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine on his health was so significant that it motivated him to explore oriental medicine further.

After three years’ study of Shiatsu at the European Shiatsu School, Kevin then completed four years’ training in Acupuncture at the Northern College of Acupuncture in York. Following this, he successfully completed a further three year MSc validated course in Chinese herbal medicine under the clinical supervision of Dr Cheng Hao Zhou.

Work History:

Since moving to Plymouth in August 2000, Kevin has set up a private Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine practice in Mutley and has practised from clinics in the Barbican, in Tavistock and more recently in Liskeard.

Since 2003, he has also worked at the Hamoaze House “Acupuncture De-tox drop in centre” , Mount Wise , Plymouth . This drop-in centre – funded by the government via DAAT - provides free auricular (ear) acupuncture to patients with substance misuse problems. He also provides full body acupuncture and offers Chinese herbal medicine, to clients who have been referred from the centre.

Kevin worked for over 2 years at St Luke’s Hospice in a voluntary capacity alongside a small group of complementary practitioners, predominantly dealing with pain management and emotional problems associated with terminal illness.

Being active within the community, he regularly gives talks on acupuncture and herbal medicine to various groups including the homeless and local schools. He has also written a number of articles for the local press and has appeared on local radio.

Special interests:

Kevin has a special interest in chronic disease , especially the treatment of chronic pain, anxiety, depression, skin and respiratory conditions.

Acupuncture is a system of healing which has been practised in China and other Eastern countries for thousands of years. Although often described as a means of pain relief, it is in fact used to treat people with a wide range of illnesses. Its focus is on improving the overall well being of the patient, rather than the isolated treatment of specific symptoms.

According to traditional Chinese philosophy, our health is dependent on the body’s motivating energy - known as Qi - moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of channels beneath the skin. Qi consists of equal and opposite qualities - Yin and Yang - and when these become unbalanced, illness may result. By inserting fine needles into the channels of energy, an acupuncturist can stimulate the body’s own healing response and help restore its natural balance. The flow of Qi can be disturbed by a number of factors. These include emotional states such as anxiety, stress, anger, fear or grief, poor nutrition, weather conditions, hereditary factors, infections, poisons and trauma.

The principal aim of acupuncture in treating the whole person is to recover the equilibrium between the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual.

Although Acupuncture cannot help everyone, it can treat a very wide range of problems. As far back as 1979 the "World Health Organisation" published a list of conditions that prove clinically responsive to Acupuncture.

However, . …. clinical experience over thousands of years has shown that Acupuncture can also help in the treatment of:

Allergies ,anxiety, arthritis, asthma, circulatory problems, depression, drug / substance dependence, facial paralysis, fibrosis, high blood pressure, indeterminate aches and pains, infertility, irritable bowel syndrome, gynaecological problems, M.E, M.S. migraines, rheumatism, sciatica, some skin conditions or ulcers and many other conditions ( also see Chinese herbal medicine).

Acupuncture is a safe treatment for all, although for babies and children pressure rather than needles may be used. Acupuncture has proved to be effective in pregnancy management and for the relief of pain in childbirth. It is also helpful for people trying to overcome addictions such as those related to smoking, alcohol, food or drugs.

Some people may have acupuncture as a preventive measure to strengthen their constitution, or because they feel unwell in themselves without being ‘ill’ in the Western sense. It can also be used alongside conventional medicine in the treatment of both acute and chronic disease. As with any therapy, the response to acupuncture can differ from one person to another.

Most people’s experience of needles is of those used in injections and blood tests. Acupuncture needles bear little resemblance to these. They are much finer and are solid rather than hollow. When the needle is inserted, the sensation is often described as a tingling or dull ache.

Needles are inserted either for a second or two, or left in place for up to 20 minutes, depending on the effect required. During treatment, patients commonly experience heaviness in the limbs or a pleasant feeling of relaxation. Occasionally people may experience drowsiness after treatment, in which case it is advisable not to drive or do anything that can put you at risk.

The benefits of acupuncture frequently include more than just relief from a particular condition. Many people find that it can also lead to increased energy levels, better appetite and sleep as well as an enhanced sense of overall well being.

Your first consultation may be longer than subsequent sessions. The acupuncturist needs to assess your general state of health, in order to identify the underlying pattern of disharmony and give you the most effective treatment.

You will be asked about your current symptoms and what treatment you have received so far, your medical history and that of your close family, your diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and emotional state.

To discover how the energies are flowing in your body, the acupuncturist is likely to feel your pulses on both wrists, noting their quality, rhythm and strength. The structure, colour and coating of your tongue also gives a good guide to your physical health.

Once enough information has been gathered to determine the likely causes of your problems, the acupuncturist can select the most appropriate treatment. The aim is to discover which energy channels need adjusting for your specific complaint to improve, and which require treatment to boost your overall energy and vitality.

There are around 500 recognised acupuncture points on the body, of which about 100 are most commonly used. Stimulation of specific areas on the skin affects the functioning of certain organs in the body. However, those areas may not be close to the part of the body where the problem is

experienced. For example, although you may suffer from headaches, needles may be inserted in your foot or hand.

The acupuncturist may supplement the needle treatment with moxa, a smouldering herb which is used to warm acupuncture points to encourage the body’s energy to flow smoothly. Other methods of stimulating acupuncture points include using lasers or electro-acupuncture. Massage or tapping with a rounded probe are techniques particularly suitable for small children or for people with a fear of needles.

In traditional acupuncture philosophy each person is considered as unique, and therefore the number of treatments required depends on the individual. Some change is usually felt after five treatments. Normally you are recommended to visit your acupuncturist once or twice a week at first, although some conditions may need less frequent attention. Sometimes the effects of the treatment are dramatic, and only one or two treatments are required. With other patients, the effects are more subtle and they may need treatment over several months.

If you are receiving treatment from your doctor then it makes sense to tell him or her about your plans to have acupuncture. The acupuncture treatment may enable you to reduce or even stop taking some forms of medication, but your doctor should be consulted regarding any change of prescription. You should always tell your acupuncturist about any medication you are taking as this may affect your response to the acupuncture treatment.

All members of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) must observe a Code of Practice, which lays down stringent standards of hygiene and sterilisation for needles and other equipment. These procedures have been approved by the Department of Health and provide protection against the transmission of infectious diseases. Patients who have been treated by a BAcC member are eligible to donate blood through the National Blood Service.

Members of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) have completed a thorough training of at least three years in traditional acupuncture and western medical sciences appropriate to the practice of acupuncture. They carry the letters MBAcC after their name. The BAcC maintains common standards of education, ethics, discipline and practice to ensure the health and safety of the public at all times. All members are covered by Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance.

Simply explained, Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture is a specialised complementary therapy where acupuncture points on the outer ear are treated, using either needles or electro acupunctoscopes to help relieve many chronic complaints, eg Anxiety, Arthritis, Asthma, Back Pain, Depression, Drug Addiction, Hay Fever, Insomnia, Migraine, Obesity, PMS, Sciatica, Sinusitis, Stopping Smoking.

There are over 200 acupuncture points on the outer ear, each point named generally after areas of the anatomy, eg knees, hips, shoulders, liver, heart. The outer ear acts similar to a switchboard to the brain, and when acupoints on the ear are stimulated, they trigger electrical impulses to the specific area of the body that is being treated.

The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) represents professional acupuncturists who have an extensive training in acupuncture and the biomedical sciences appropriate to the practice of this therapy. Members practise a recognised and traditional style of diagnosis and treatment therapy. This has been developed and refined over 2000 years and provides patients with an holistic approach to maintaining health and managing illness.

There is no government legislation in the UK covering acupuncture at present. This means that unfortunately anyone can currently provide acupuncture treatment without any professional acupuncture training whatsoever.

The BAcC believes that anyone who provides acupuncture treatment should have undertaken an extensive acupuncture training of at least three years full-time or the part-time equivalent. This is irrespective of any prior biomedical training a practitioner may have. A biomedical training is not qualification for the provision of professional acupuncture treatment.

The BAcC maintains standards of education, ethics, practice and discipline to ensure the health and safety of the public at all times. It is also committed to promoting research and enhancing the role that traditional acupuncture can play in the health and well-being of the nation.

For more information about acupuncture and the British Acupuncture Council contact: www.acupuncture.org.uk