All the testimonials reproduced here have been supplied by patients who have been treated by members of ACT Brighton & Sussex.
PCOS: “I suffer from polycystic ovaries and have had very irregular periods for all my adult life. They became even more unpredictable after having my daughter, with gaps between periods anything from one week to three months. My doctor suggested that I try acupuncture so I began weekly, then fortnightly treatment. The gradual improvement in the regularity of my cycle over the next few months was remarkable. Now, at 38, my periods are more regular than at any time in my life and I can predict when they will start to within a few days. I also no longer suffer from breakthrough bleeding at the time of ovulation”
Endometriosis: “I was always tired, had bloating, pains and twinges all the time from severe endometriosis and had been unable to conceive. I had two operations to remove endometriotic tissue but was still not conceiving.
IVF: Acupuncture first of all helped me to have much fewer pains and twinges so I felt “normal” again and then, once I had decided to go down the route of IVF fertility treatment, my practitioner helped me through that process with knowledge and expertise gathered from all her experience in that area. She was dedicated to meeting me early on the morning of the embryo transfer and came to my house straight after the transfer in the afternoon as this would be of least disturbance and disruption to me.
I am thrilled to say I will be 13 weeks pregnant tomorrow and I feel that in my case, the acupuncture played a significant role in the success of the IVF treatment.”
“I just wanted to let you know that I am now almost 11 weeks pregnant. I had a scan last week following a light bleed and was assured that everything is fine. I am planning to have acupuncture sporadically throughout the pregnancy so will probably see you soon. In the mean time, I just want to say a huge thank you for your help, support and flexibility in offering appointments. I really believe that the acupuncture played a huge part in the success of my IVF treatment. (Patient went on to deliver a healthy boy).”
Fertility: “Within two months of starting acupuncture I became pregnant and I continued to be treated for various matters throughout my pregnancy. I was very impressed with the quality of my treatment and would recommend it to anyone.”
Morning sickness: “Before I began acupuncture treatment I suffered from severe pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting (vomiting 4 -8 times per day). Coinciding with commencing acupuncture, my nausea and vomiting were reduced significantly (and seemed better than at the same stage in my other pregnancies when I had no acupuncture). I had tried many other remedies in my last 2 pregnancies with little success, acupuncture is the first thing that really helped me!”
Pre-birth: “Hi, I just wanted to let you know that baby arrived without induction and I had a water birth in the pool at home, so I am one very happy new mummy! Caelin Rose Skinner arrived at 11.38am on Sunday 10th May and weighed a very healthy 7lbs 3 oz. The midwives were convinced that she wasn’t late, just perfectly cooked!
Thank you so much for the acupuncture and for helping me to be confident that I was making the right choice not to be (medically) induced.”
Breech: “At 36 weeks pregnant my baby was breech. With the possibility of having to have a c-section I was given the option of having an ECV at the hospital, but wasn’t at all sure about it. One of the midwives mentioned acupuncture so I investigated and felt much happier trying this. At 37 weeks I had one session of moxibustion with an ACT practitioner and then took the moxa sticks home where my partner used them on me for 20 minutes twice a day for 10 days (it was bliss having the excuse to just sit and do nothing each day!). A scan at nearly 39 weeks confirmed my baby had turned and I went onto have a natural delivery, giving birth to a beautiful baby girl. I can’t thank you enough for helping and I am so pleased I went down the route of acupuncture and not intervention by doctors.”
Acupuncture induction: “I had a session of acupuncture with you on the 8th of October and I went into labour on the Friday 9th at night. I gave birth to a baby girl in the early hours of Monday morning 12th. Gave birth in the birthing pool which was great since I had a C section last time.”
Miscarriage: “When I first started having acupuncture with my acupuncturist, my immune system was so low that I had reoccurring viruses almost every other week. I did try a lot of things but nothing really made a difference. The fact that I also suffer from various allergies did not help. My practitioner addressed all that and slowly but steadily built up my immune system. My health and wellbeing improved noticeably. She also supported me enormously during my second pregnancy, which was a quite traumatising experience. I was bleeding from an early stage and in constant fear of miscarriage. Not only was she able to stop the bleeding but also did she help me gain mental strength.”
Post Natal: “My acupuncture practitioner has now helped me improve my energy during two post-natal recoveries. In addition, it’s possible that she helped me with the conception of my second child! She brought me back into the realm of the living when I had morning sickness during my second pregnancy, and she also helped alleviate pains associated with pregnancy. A few sessions with her also helped ensure that I went into labour and had my second child naturally. She is now helping boost my kidney energy after my second pregnancy.”
Labour: “When the birth of my second child was approaching I felt terrified, not because my first labour had been particularly awful – it was described by those around as an easy birth and admittedly all had gone well, but my back pain was agonising. My midwife suggested I try acupuncture, so I gave it a go.
A friend recommended an acupuncturist from the ACT Brighton & Sussex team. She had an aura of calm and I immediately felt at ease in her presence. The acupuncture certainly helped my back pain, especially when she warmed the affected area with something called moxa. And the treatments seemed to precipitate a very restful night’s sleep.
After the initial treatments, I felt sure that acupuncture was the answer to a better birthing experience and so asked the acupuncturist to attend for the first few hours of labour. It was very re-assuring to have her at the birth, and acupuncture definitely made the labour better and less painful in the earlier stages. Without the excruciating back pain the labour was at times, almost enjoyable.”
“I had pre birth acupuncture with my acupuncturist; I was really worried about the birth as my partner was working overseas and would not be present when I went into labour. My acupuncturist advised me that she would be happy to attend the birth with me and use acupressure and acupuncture to support me through the birth. I am delighted to say I had a completely natural delivery using only gas and air and acupressure on points on my body. Through the whole experience I felt calm and supported and the acupressure really helped me through the contractions. I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone else who feels apprehensive about the whole birth experience. “