Testimonials & Articles
I write articles for a local magazine some of which I have added below for you to browse to give an idea of the conditions that acupuncture can treat.Please read the testimonials section to see what my patients say .
" Having acquired a sceptical view of "traditional" western medicine, I recently found myself enveloped in an extremely stressful life event. I decided to try acupuncture to help me through and am so glad that I did. Tracey Ward's skill, professionalism, gentle spirit and approach to this ancient treatment has been absolutely wonderful and has helped me to cope and carry on. I can wholeheartedly recommend the benefits of acupuncture and especially Tracey's practice "
S. Miller
"I have had acupuncture from Tracey for about 18months. I went initiallybecause I was unable to cope with outbreaks of excema and asthma/bronchitis. I was also very low in spirits.
The eczema is now much more controllable, I have not had bronchitis and have increased resistance to coughs/ colds etc. I have also been treated for pain withgood effects.
More subtly I have noticed increased energy and a definate lightening of mood. Thank You!"
Jo
“Having been diagnosed with PCOS I had not had a period in almost 2 years and was on a strong dosage of medication which had not had any effect on my lack of periods or other symptoms. I was recommended Tracey by a friend and immediately felt more positive after my first couple of treatments. After only 4 treatments I had my first period in 2 years and since then have continued to have ‘fairly’ regular cycles. All other symptoms of my PCOS seem to be under control. I am so confident that the acupuncture made the difference that I have recently come of the medication have since had a period. I recommend trying this method for anyone suffering from PCOS.”
Many Thanks,
Lucy
"Tracey has been a great help to me over the past few months. She is a dedicated, very professional person and an excellant practitioner.
Alongside these skills she takes the time to fully appreciate individual probelms and takes enormous care to ensure she is giving the best possible treatment for you. Tracey has the ability create a welcoming environment where you are able to feel comfortable and at ease.
I have been trying to overcome considerable pain following surgery and after pursuing several options for pain relief I have only achieved any measure of success by following the acupuncture route with Tracey. Whilst not completely cured as yet the progress is reassuring and consistant."
C.G.
Neurological Conditions
Neurological problems rank high amongst the list of untreatable conditions in Medicine; problems and diseases affecting our nervous system can range from localised sports and back injuries, to very painful neuralgia, to deteriorating conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis and to trauma to the brain such as in Stroke or Head Injury. I worked in the Health Service as an Occupational Therapist for many years specialising in Neurology and particularly Stroke Rehabilitation. The range of treatments available for these conditions is varied but in the main they concentrate on maintaining function, controlling unpleasant symptoms and reducing pain. Despite going on to study Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture I remained sceptical about the effects that Acupuncture could have on such intractable conditions until I met someone who was to change my view completely.I was asked to visit an elderly gentleman at his home by his daughter, he was in his eighties, he had had two major strokes and had been confined to a wheelchair for several years as he had no movement or sensation on his right side at all. He was unable to speak and his daughter had read somewhere that Acupuncture might help his condition; she wasn’t looking for miracles but particularly wondered if it might help improve the muscles in his face and thus help his communication. I was aware that after a certain time it was unlikely that anything could re innervate his nerves and was unsure if I could help, however the daughter was keen so I suggested we do 4 weekly treatments and then review the situation.
After 4 treatments the muscles in his face had improved so much that he could smile evenly again, this was a fantastic outcome and taught me never to underestimate the power of this gentle form of medicine or the body’s ability to regenerate itself.
Since then I have treated many neurological conditions with Acupuncture and the effects continually surprise and delight me.
Babies and children can also be treated effectively and perhaps more importantly, painlessly, using a system of japanese Acupuncture called Shonishin. This treatment consists of rubbing and tapping techniques with some light painless needling if necessary. This treatment is calming, comfortable and effective. It can be used for many different conditions such as:
Asthma
Eczema
Sleep Problems
Constipation
Digestive System problems.
Behavioural and emotional problems including anxiety, lack of concentration, hyperactivity, agression
Bed Wetting
Recurrant infections such as ear or throat infections.
Poor immunity problems, such as always catching colds.
Aids recovery from impending surgery.
Also neurological or congenital problems can be assisted and symptoms improved with this type of treatment.
Breast Cancer
The treatment of Breast Cancer has made dramatic improvements over the last decade, increased public awareness and fundraising has helped in producing good quality research into this dreadful disease. Now with increased understanding, better and more successful treatments are available both surgically and pharmaceutically.In the last 8 years the use of Acupuncture in breast cancer has been researched in areas such as postoperative nausea, pain reduction and the control of side effects from some of the strong drugs used. The research has been positive for Acupuncture treatment showing significant reductions in nausea and pain, improved control of drug side effects such as hot flushes and fatigue. Not only have the studies been encouraging but also the women involved in the trials have reported a greater sense of positive well being, due to both the treatment and the feeling of regaining some control over their lives and their treatment.
Most of the ladies I have treated have come to me following breast cancer treatment for help with symptoms of fatigue, and generally feeling low in mood. I find that even after successful cancer treatment women find that they are exhausted for a long time and their immune system is very fragile, and often any cough or cold that they catch can induce feelings of anxiety and sometimes panic. In these instances my role is not only in providing treatment to boost energy levels, mood and the immune system, but also to provide emotional support.
It is worth mentioning here that the British Acupuncture Council’s code of safe practice does not recommend Acupuncture below the site of lymph gland removal because of the risk of infection, however don’t let that discourage you from treatment because I can find plenty of other points in different places to help you!
Please ring, or email me if you would like to have a confidential chat about treatment regarding this or any other health issue.
Womens Health
A great many of us suffer quite badly at the hands of our hormones, from a touch of PMT to painful endometriosis, from insomnia or headaches at period time to polycystic ovaries, menopausal symptoms and unexplained infertility, not to mention all the emotional turmoil that goes along with all these problems. Usually with any hormonal imbalance our energy levels are affected too, so there is a feeling of heaviness and lethargy at certain times of the month if not all the time!One of the things that we often do when we feel like this, bizarrely, is tell ourselves we need energising and go and join a Gym. Now generally when we practitioners of Chinese Medicine are faced with someone in this situation we’ll say STOP! No vigorous exercising! Just walking, yoga or Tai Chi because your body is telling you it has very little energy available, exercise tends to deplete your resources further
This is an area where Acupuncture can be very effective as a complementary treatment. It can essentially help to balance hormone levels, reduce pain and lift and stabilise your mood. Over time and with the help of a good diet, treatment can boost your battery pack giving you more sustainable energy, so that you can then use that Gym Membership you paid for 6 months ago.
And as is often the case in our busy lives, stress has a significant effect on our endocrine system. Research has shown Acupuncture’s effectiveness at reducing stress and alleviating painful and irregular periods so much so that the World health Organisation advocates its use in the treatment of period problems. So don’t suffer, you don’t have to put up with it.
Back Pain
A report in 2007 by The Work Foundation found that a third of all GP consultations were for back pain and arthritis and these conditions account for 9.5 million lost working days a year, costing our UK economy a whopping £7.4 billion a year.If you are one of those million sufferers from back pain then I have one question to ask you…
Have you tried Acupuncture?
Like the GP’s nearly a third of my caseload consists of people suffering from back pain and I would estimate that at least 80% of those people find relief with Acupuncture. Like any form of medication, treatment or therapy it will not suit everyone but the large majority do benefit.
Research in the UK, Sweden and USA can back up these claims in studies finding that in general patients receiving weekly acupuncture treatment:
Experience long term pain relief,
Take fewer analgesics
In addition the Acupuncture treatment also produced other beneficial effects such as:
Improved sleeping patterns,
Less digestive disturbances
An increase in energy levels.
So if you are one of the increasing number of people that want to avoid taking painkillers and would really like to improve your quality of life then please call me and I’ll do my best to get you moving again.
