About Rachel

How did I get here?

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Back in 'life before acupuncture', I was working as a Freelance HR Consultant - writing policies, running recruitment drives, overseeing redundancy and disciplinary procedures, training line managers... but I knew that wasn't my forever future. Just when I started considering options, several people I knew all told me they'd had acupuncture (for various issues) and that it had been amazing. I started looking into it, and the rest is history!

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And now?

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Having completed my degree and qualified as an acupuncturist in 2011, I have continued to study at postgraduate level, adding Chinese Herbal Medicine, Nutrition, Functional Medicine and Tai Chi / Qigong. I'm proud to be able to offer a full Chinese medicine clinic; I know I can do so much more for my patients now than I could in the early days when I only had needles to offer.

 

I have also undertaken western functional medicine training so in my work I blend the ancient wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine alongside modern functional medicine, offering gut microbiome tests and blood tests where appropriate - this means my patients get the best of both worlds. Chinese medicine is the original functional medicine - it has always included an in-depth medical consultation, a truly holistic systems-based approach, testing where appropriate, and personalised healthcare. The two approaches blend together well and can give us an extra insight into the root causes of your health concerns.

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I run a general practice but have a particular focus on managing long-term autoimmune or post-viral illness (ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjogren's Syndrome, POTS, MCAS, Long Covid, Lyme Disease etc) and all aspects of women’s health and wellbeing from puberty to post-menopause.

 

My clinical practice is rooted in compassion. After over a decade as a carer to someone with overlapping complex health conditions, I understand the impact that chronic illness has on all aspects of life, and the difficulties of finding healthcare that works for you. I understand how it feels to fall through the gaps and to feel ‘unheard’. I  promise never to suggest that your symptoms are "all in your head", that you just need to "relax" or to push through your symptoms.

 

Whatever brings you to my clinic, you are the only one who really knows the experience of living in your body and by listening to your story, I can find the best way to support you. I believe in meeting you where you are, and working in partnership with you to get to the root of your health problems and guide you back to better health at your own pace. We get better results when we work together.

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When I’m not in my clinic, you’ll find me out walking with my greyhound, practising Qigong, or singing with a local choir. Or maybe just curled in an armchair with a good book and a glass of wine.​

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