Frequently Asked Questions
1. Questions about acupuncture •Is it safe? Acupuncture is generally very safe when performed by a well-trained acupuncturist. Members of the British Acupuncture Council have had over 3500 hours of degree-level training, including over 400 hours in clinic. This is just the basic training to qualify, plus a requirement for continuing professional development each year. There are some risks, these are mostly very minor – such as occasional bruising. This will be discussed during your initial consultation and each treatment. •Does it work? There is a huge amount of research showing that acupuncture is effective for a wide range of conditions, when being treated by a well-trained acupuncturist. Do have a look at the British Acupuncture Council www.acupuncture.org.uk or Evidence Based Acupuncture www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org •Where do you put the needles? There are acupuncture points over the whole body! The points I use most commonly are on hands and feet, arms and legs, back and abdomen. Occasionally I will use a point on your chest or your head. If there are medical reasons not to use a particular point (for example lymph node removal, or skin lesions), or simply that you would prefer me not to use a point, then I will select a different point for your treatment. I’ll always explain what I plan to do and get your agreement first. •What should I wear? Loose comfortable clothing is good, but there may be times when you need to remove an item of clothing so that I can access the points I need. Your dignity will be preserved at all times, I have blankets and towels to cover you as much as possible and you can change behind a curtain for privacy. It’s just like being at a doctor’s surgery. •How many treatments will I need? Acupuncture has a cumulative effect, so you need to take a course of treatment for it to be effective just like you would with western medicine. The number of treatments will depend on the problem – what it is, how long you have had it, whether the problem is constant or not, whether there are other complicating factors etc. Some conditions may improve or clear completely in a few treatments, others may take longer. We will review progress regularly. •Does it hurt? Acupuncture needles are very thin, about the width of a human hair, so they definitely don’t feel like injections. Some points are generally more sensitive than others so you may feel the needle a little more. Some people feel an ache or a tingle when the needle is in, but most of the time you’ll be almost unaware of them.
2. Questions about Chinese herbal medicine •What can Chinese herbal medicine help with? A very wide range of conditions! There are hundreds of herbs to select from to create a formula to benefit you, according to your unique presenting symptoms and underlying general health. I work with all aspects of women’s health – from the onset of periods (menarche), through fertility, menopause and healthy ageing. I also have a particular interest in helping people manage autoimmune and post-viral illness; reducing symptoms such as pain, inflammation, or digestive issues; improving sleep and energy levels; boosting cognitive function; and managing the emotional impact of living with chronic illness. •I have ME/CFS, Long Covid, Fibromyalgia or another fatigue-based illness. How can herbs help me? Herbal medicine has a long tradition of supporting people with chronic illness. There are herbs to clear lingering viruses, herbs to support energy production, herbs to reduce pain, herbs to clear brainfog and improve cognitive function, herbs to support the immune system, herbs to aid digestion and relieve constipation or diarrhoea, herbs to help with sleep, herbs to support you emotionally… your formula will be tailored to you as a unique individual. As a carer to someone with severe ME/CFS, POTS, Sjogren’s Syndrome and anxiety I understand the impact that chronic illnesses have on physical and emotional health. I promise never to tell you it’s all in your head or to suggest that going for a daily walk would cure you. I’ve heard it all and fought all the battles created by the stigma around these illnesses. I promise to listen, understand and support in whatever way works for you. Herbs can help to reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life. •Does it work? There are many thousands of research papers, both from China and from the west, showing that Chinese herbal medicine is effective at treating a wide range of health concerns. Plant-based medicine has been used across the world in many different herbal traditions for thousands of years, and many western drugs are developed from plant compounds. But what I love is that modern science shows us that plants have a range of pharmacological actions; they can contain powerful compounds which are antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant, anti-hypertensive, diuretic, hormone-like, laxative, vasodilatory… the list goes on. But when using the whole plant (or part of it) rather than just one isolated compound, there are generally fewer side effects. •Is it safe? Yes! As long as you are consulting a qualified practitioner who obtains herbs from an approved supplier. Here in the UK we currently have two training courses accredited by the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine, which are also recognised by the EHTPA (others are currently going through the accreditation process). Practitioners who have trained on these courses have a high level of knowledge of herbs and formulae, drug interactions, medical red flags and will have had hundreds of hours of supervised and assessed clinical practice as well as all the theoretical training. We also have a handful of suppliers approved by the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine; using these pharmacies we can be sure that there are no contaminants in the herbs and that the herbs we prescribe are dispensed accurately. If you are buying Chinese medical herbs off the internet without professional guidance, I cannot guarantee the origin or the safety of what you are buying. •Does Chinese herbal medicine contain animal products? I do not use any animal products in any of my prescriptions. I only use plant-based medicine. In China, animal products are used fairly regularly, but here in the UK that is not really permitted (although some herbalists use a limited range of animal products in their formulae). It is possible that ready-made Chinese herbal products you buy online without consulting a herbalist could contain animal products. But nothing you get on prescription from me comes from any animal. •How do I take the herbs? For most people, you’ll drink them. Most of my patients receive their herbs as sachets of granules to make up in hot water, just like making a coffee or an instant soup in a cup. Most formulae are dark brown/black when made up, because for many herbs the active compounds we need are in the roots and twigs of the plant – I only mention that because people sometimes think herbal medicine will look green and leafy. It is possible to request the raw herbs to boil up yourself every day, and it is possible to receive your herbs as capsules, however there are disadvantages to these options (boiling herbs every day is time-consuming, and capsules cost more!) so most people choose the granules. •How long will I take herbs for? Until you feel you don’t need them any more. For some people this is just a few weeks, for others it can be months – generally the longer you have had the problem the deeper it can be, which means it takes longer to clear or get it under control. You are totally in charge of how long you take the herbs for, and when you feel you have achieved your goal you can stop or you might choose to continue to take a much smaller maintenance dose. It is likely that your herbal formula will change over time, focusing on different aspects of your health as needed, so the price may also change as every formula is priced individually. •Are there any side effects? For most people there are absolutely no side effects. Some people have some minor digestive disturbance for a day or two, sometimes a headache or ‘fluey’ feeling, but this should resolve in a couple of days. If you are taking herbs prescribed by me and are concerned about something, just contact me, I’m always happy to discuss any issues. It sometimes helps to reduce the dose for a few days while your body adapts. •Do I have to boil them up for hours? If you choose to receive raw herbs then yes you would need to boil them. Many of the herbs in your formula are likely to be roots and twigs which can take some time to cook up. This is quite time-consuming (and often a little smelly), so most patients choose to receive their herbs as granules to make up in a mug with hot water. •I’ve heard they taste bad…? Chinese herbs can be an acquired taste… The flavour will depend on the specific herbs in your formula, some are quite sweet, others quite bitter, with a very ‘planty/earthy’ background taste and smell. It’s certainly an unfamiliar flavour at first but it’s amazing how quickly you adapt to the taste. Some people prefer to make it up as a long weak drink, others prefer to make it short and strong to just ‘down in one’. If it helps, you can add a little honey or just have something tasty to eat afterwards. •Can I take herbs if I’m already taking western medicines? Yes. Some herbs may be contraindicated with certain medications but we will always discuss any medications you are taking during your initial consultation so drug-herb interactions can be avoided.
3. Questions about nutrition and functional medicine •What can I expect? I offer a personalised approach, using a blend of modern functional medicine and traditional Chinese medicine to uncover the root causes of your health concerns and help you make a real difference to your quality of life. The first step is to complete the intake form and health questionnaire, then attend your consultation. We will spend time discussing your current health issues, past medical history, medications, supplements and how well you are currently doing in each of the five foundational pillars of health – diet, sleep, movement, emotions and community. Then we make a plan which we review regularly. You are always in charge; the treatment plan is always based around your priorities, your goals, your limitations and your choices. •What is Functional Medicine? Functional Medicine is the western medicine version of root cause medicine. It may incorporate testing such as gut microbiome, vaginal microbiome, or blood tests to check key indicators of health and dysfunction to make a diagnosis in western medicine language. Your healthcare plan is likely to include things relating to the foundational pillars of health: diet, sleep, movement, emotions and community. Many Functional Medicine practitioners seem to rely heavily on using supplements - long lists of vitamins, enzymes, minerals or herbs. •What functional testing do you offer? I have completed the Institute of Functional Medicine AFMCP (Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice) and am registered with various testing companies. I can organise stool tests and blood tests, discuss your results and design a treatment plan with you which will improve your health. If testing helps us to get to the root cause of your health issues then it’s worth the investment. •Do I have to spend money on testing or can we do without that? No, you don’t have to, but it can be useful. Functional testing such as gut microbiome, vaginal microbiome or blood tests are optional extras and I don’t believe they are always necessary. I take a full medical history and make my diagnosis in Chinese medicine terms; often this is enough to get a treatment plan into place. We will review progress and if testing seems relevant and useful I will suggest it. If I think you might be able to get some tests done on the NHS, I will always suggest asking the GP first (such as Vitamin D for anyone housebound, or an iron panel if I think there is a chance that iron supplementation might help your symptoms). •Will I have to give up all the things I love most? Not necessarily. I don’t like saying that anything is ‘banned’, partly because that just makes people miserable and partly because that just makes everyone think about and crave the ‘banned’ things more. I tend to recommend adding things, trying new things, or having more variety. And always small changes at a pace you decide because trying to do everything at once is almost always impossible to manage. •Will I have to spend a fortune on supplements? Or special food? No. So often I see people come with a long list of supplements but with no idea what any of them are actually doing, which are helping, which could be dropped. So sometimes it’s about going back to basics, a food first / person first approach. Sometimes supplements can be helpful. Often I will recommend using Chinese herbs, but that’s always your choice. •Can this be added to acupuncture and/or herbal medicine? Absolutely! To be honest nutrition is such a key part of Chinese medicine that most of my acupuncture and herbal medicine patients get some input on this anyway. But it is also available as a standalone treatment for those who just want to focus on nutrition and self-care as a way of understanding their health concerns and managing their health to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. •Am I going to be nagged or made to feel like I’ve failed if I don’t do any of the things you suggest? Not at all. I don’t believe in trying to do too much at once so I tend to suggest small changes, and if something isn’t working for you we can try a different way. I’m just here to advise and support. Its your health, your life and you are very much in charge.
4. Questions about the clinic - access, facilities, parking etc. •What happens if I choose an online appointment? If you book an online appointment, the Zoom link will be sent prior to the appointment. You will not need to visit the clinic unless you choose an in-person appointment. •What happens if I choose an in-person appointment? In-person appointments are held in my clinic which is situated in a garden studio at the bottom of my garden. It is a beautiful, tranquil space and is fully heated and air-conditioned for your comfort. I only treat one patient in there at a time. •Where are you based? The clinic is in Yardley Gobion, a small village between Milton Keynes and Towcester. It is easily accessible from Milton Keynes, Northampton, Buckingham, Towcester, Stony Stratford, Roade... The full address will be provided once you book but as it’s my home address I don’t put it on my website. I’ve had patients travel to me for acupuncture from further away too – for example London, Luton and Birmingham. Or I can work with patients across the UK who select an online treatment option – full health consultation with Chinese herbal medicine, or nutrition / health coaching / functional medicine. •Is there parking? If there is space on the gravel driveway then you are very welcome to use it. Otherwise there is plenty of parking on the road outside – this is a quiet village and you won’t have any trouble finding a space to park without needing to parallel park! •Is there a waiting room? I don’t have a waiting room so please don’t arrive too early as I may still be with another patient. When it’s your appointment time, just come to the front door and we’ll walk down to the garden studio together. •Is there public transport? Unfortunately the village is not well connected by public transport, but you could get a taxi from Milton Keynes, Towcester or Stony Stratford if you don’t drive. •Is the clinic in your house? The clinic is in a garden studio. Entry is via the main house front door. We then cross the hallway and exit via a side door, then follow a paved path to the garden studio. •Is it accessible? The front path has a ramp to the front door. There is a small step into the garden, and a small step into the studio. •Can I bring a carer / chaperone? Absolutely! Let me know if you’ll be bringing someone to support you and I’ll make sure there is a spare chair. Please speak to me in advance if you need me to accommodate mobility issues and we can find an alternative, but unfortunately I do not have a wheelchair accessible toilet. •Do you offer home visits? I’m sorry but I do not do home visits. •Is there a toilet in the clinic? There is no toilet in the clinic but patients have access to a toilet situated near the front door.
5. Questions about booking and cancellations •How do I book? Online bookings are made on a secure online booking site, accessed from my website. This is the easiest way to select an available appointment time that works for you. I take payment for appointments up front and your credit/debit card details will be retained on the booking site in case of cancellations. Once you have booked, you should receive an email confirmation which will give you directions to the clinic or the zoom link for your appointment. If this is your first appointment, you will also receive an email with intake forms which need to be completed online and submitted at least 48 hours prior to your appointment. This gives me the information I need to prepare for our meeting, so that I can focus on the things that matter to you during that time. If I don’t receive the forms in time, I may need to reschedule your appointment. •What if I want to add another treatment to my plan? Do I have to pay another consultation fee? Whichever treatment(s) you choose, you only ever pay one initial consultation fee. So an acupuncture patient can choose to add herbs, a herbal medicine patient can choose to start attending the clinic for acupuncture etc. The herbs themselves are not included in my prices – I send your prescription to an approved dispensary who will invoice you for the herbs and post them out to your home address. Functional medicine testing is also not included in my prices as these will vary depending which tests we agree would be useful. •What is your cancellation policy? You should receive an email reminder 48 hours before your appointment. You will be able to use the secure online booking site to cancel or change your appointment as long as this is done more than 24 hours before your booked appointment. If you contact me to cancel or change your appointment after that time, you will be charged a 50% cancellation fee. You should receive another email reminder 12 hours before your appointment. If you fail to turn up without giving any notice, you will be charged the full fee. If I need to reschedule your appointment I will attempt to contact you via phone and email, giving as much notice as possible. I will either issue a refund or transfer your pre-payment to a new appointment time.
6. Questions about Rachel •What experience and training do you have? I’m a degree-qualified acupuncturist with seven years of professional education in Chinese medicine. I graduated from the College of Traditional Acupuncture in 2011, have a post-graduate diploma in Chinese herbal medicine from White Crane Academy and a post-graduate diploma in Chinese nutritional medicine from the Northern College of Acupuncture. I’m also an NHS-PCI accredited health and wellbeing coach and have completed some modules of functional medicine training from the Institute of Functional Medicine. I’ve been in practice since 2010 and have treated hundreds of patients over that time. I maintain my knowledge through regular continuing professional development. I am a member of the British Acupuncture Council which means I am also accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. I am a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine, and the Association of Naturopathic Practitioners. •What conditions do you treat? I work with anyone who wants to try Chinese medicine! Some come for relatively simple pain relief, some for managing stress or other emotional factors, but I mainly work with gynaecology (everything from first period to life post-menopause) and people living with chronic illnesses such as ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, rheumatoid arthritis, POTS, Long Covid, Lyme disease and coinfections. Chinese medicine can also be effective for recurrent migraine or other headaches, digestive issues, skin conditions, allergies, sinusitis and so much more. •Special note for those living with ME and/or Long Covid and similar energy-limiting illnesses. I am a carer to someone with severe ME so my clinic is a safe place for you. I understand the medical gaslighting you are likely to have experienced and promise that I will never suggest that you ‘think happy thoughts and go for a daily walk’. I’ve heard it all and fought all the battles for appropriate care. You are in charge at all times, you know your own body and its limitations, my job is to help you to reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life. These are complex illnesses which do respond to Chinese medicine, but it takes time and there is no quick fix. Please note that I do have a 24-hour cancellation policy which has to apply to everyone – I only have limited hours available for patients and late cancellations mean gaps in my diary which I could potentially have filled with a patient from the waiting list.