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Facial gua sha is a technique used by the ancient Chinese to keep their facial skin looking youthful and healthy. Sometimes referred to as an ‘Eastern Facelift’ facial gua sha may improve the health of your skin while creating lift and a glowing complexion. This is achieved by using gentle gua sha techniques to the face to encourage circulation and lymphatic drainage.



In this exclusive workshop you will learn a simple gua sha protocol to include in your beauty regime. You will also be introduced to some acupressure and facial yoga exercises.We will begin the session with an introduction to traditional Chinese Medicine (tCM) facial diagnosis or face reading. You will examine your own face and learn to interpret your wrinkles discovering what they reveal about your health and your emotions. You will then be introduced to your jade gua sha tool and the practical aspects of this workshop.

In this workshop you will receive:

• Facial Gua Sha instructions
• Weleda travel size soothing facial almond oil
• Jade Gua Sha tool
• Gua Sha travel wallet

Facial Gua Sha Uplift Massage & Facial Gua Sha Tutorials are also available to book.

Spring is here! A time of surging energy and new growth. The Yin of Winter is transforming into Yang (not yet the full Yang of Summer), and the evidence is all around us in nature. We too experience this seasonal shift in energy, which can be more challenging for some. It’s a perfect time for an acupuncture treatment tune-up – and many of my regular patients return at Spring-time for some traditional Chinese acupuncture as energetic support during this time of changing qi.

In my last Blog I explained a little about 5 Element theory as being rooted in nature’s seasons (The 5 Elements & Your Health – Earth) and how it allows us to classify people into element types. As microcosms of nature we have within in us all 5 Elements, but as with nature our inner climate has a hierarchy of elements. Identifying this interplay is what allows your acupuncturist to diagnose and treat you. It also gives you tools to better understand and maintain your own health and those of your friends and family.

Spring is associated with the Wood Element and the organ pair, Liver (LIV) and Gall Bladder (GB). If Wood is your dominant element then you may manifest some characteristic symptoms when out of balance.

Read on to find out how to identify Wood as a dominant element (s) in either yourself and/or others and discover some self-help tools to stay healthy this Spring.

Today is the start of the year of the Earth Dog, but there are actually five different types of Dogs based on the five elements of Wood. Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. You’ve most probably heard of these elements, but how do they influence you and your health?

Rooted in nature’s seasons, 5 Element theory allows us to classify people into element types. As microcosms of nature we have within in us all 5 Elements, but as with nature our inner climate has a hierarchy of elements. Identifying this interplay is what allows your acupuncturist to diagnose and treat you. It also gives you tools to better understand and maintain your own health and those of your friends and family.



In Chinese Medicine, 5 Element theory underpins your acupuncture treatment. As soon as a new patient enters my treatment room I mentally gather information. How do they move? What body shape are they? What tone is their voice? So the list goes on as you provide data that I can use to better understand your element or constitution type.

Each element has a host of associations, but for our purposes, they relate to an organ pair. For example, The Spleen (SP) and Stomach (ST) belong to the Earth element. If Earth is your dominant element then you may manifest some characteristic symptoms when out of balance. But don't worry (an Earth type tendency!) there are things you can do for yourself to regain your equilibrium...

Read on to find out how you can identify your dominant element (s) and discover some self-help tools including dietary advice, acupressure and yoga...

Earlier I was sitting in my office doing admin listening to a discussion on Radio 4 about the menopause. My post arrived and in it was a book I had recently ordered: Managing Menopause Naturally with Chinese Medicine, by Honora Lee Wolfe.

Why the growing interest in the menopause? Personally, the menopause is more on my mind as I approach my mid-40's, my middle age, as, although my periods may not stop until I'm 50, physiologically I'm already changing, I'm peri-menopausal.

Consequently, I'm taking stock and reviewing my life-style choices.  Preserving my energy reserves (Jing) for later in my life is more of a priority.  For example, I’m balancing my tendency towards Yang activity like mountain biking with more Yin activity – contemplation in woods and Yin yoga. Likewise, I’m making more informed dietary choices such as substituting Yin depleting coffee for Blood nourishing drinks, such as hibiscus and nettle teas.

Acupuncture practitioners in the UK (article written by the BAcC can viewed on their website here)

Two main groups of health professionals employ acupuncture techniques in their clinical work. The main group are professional traditional acupuncturists who have normally completed a 3,600 hour, degree level training in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation.

Dear Ruth,

It is with great joy that I can announce the beautiful, safe and healthy arrival of our daughter. A much long awaited miracle we thought would never happen and I must offer my sincere gratitude to yourself for helping make this dream a reality.

After several upsetting disappointments, your empathy and professionalism together with your expertise helped and supported my health and lifestyle whilst balancing my emotional and physical well-being. Your immense skill as a practitioner in providing me with such a calming environment and supporting my hopes and dreams by fine-tuning my body to support and promote the IVF process.