Five Seasons Acupuncture

30/11/2021

I am lucky enough to have had the LAMP testing service available to me all year at Walsall Manor Hospital. I have a weekly test, results later in the same day with accuracy as good as a PCR test. By doing this, plus twice weekly LFT as well, I know I am keeping all of my patients as safe as I can both in Orthotics and my own acupuncture clinics. Thank you NHS.

*For Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust staff only*
Are you carrying out weekly LAMP testing ? Research and Development Team Administrator Sheetal explains why she does.

Colleagues should submit a sample once a week. It’s quick and easy to do, but can make all the difference to our patients. Find out more about how it works on the intranet.

04/11/2020

I am pleased to say that Five Seasons Acupuncture will be able to continue to provide high quality and safe medical care during the English lockdown starting tomorrow.

I am able to provide “Urgent” and “High Needs care” only during this period, as detailed by the British Acupuncture Council; this provision may change as the lockdown and Covid situation change. (The decision to treat is based on my assessment of each person’s specific needs and I will justify and explain these triage decisions in the clinical notes. )

Chronic pain control, acute pain management, IVF/fertility treatments, Long Covid, CFS and other related conditions are appropriate and necessary to treat and patients who are currently receiving treatment for these conditions are therefore able to continue. This care will reduce pressure on GP surgeries, secondary care and associated NHS AHPs. I will triage all new enquiries accordingly and non-urgent care will be delayed until a more stable regional and country wide infection rate is reached.

I have contacted all patients who already have appointments booked for the next few weeks to confirm whether they can receive treatment or will need to wait until after lockdown.
As always; I continue to work to all government and professional guidelines to maximise the safety for my patients and myself.

Please keep safe everyone.
Sarah

03/11/2020

I am awaiting clarification and further guidance relating to whether Medical Acupuncturists such as myself, will need to close or can remain open over the next month.

I will post an answer when this information becomes available. Apologies not to have an answer at this stage but the British Acupuncture Council are working to receive clarification as soon as possible.

I have been in touch with most people who have an appointment booked and will contact them again when I know what the situation is. Thank you for your patience, many thanks

Sarah Hebblethwaite

29/09/2020

In line with Government guidelines, Five Seasons Acupuncture has had an easy to access Covid-19 QR poster in the entrance hall since last week and of course complies with all current Covid secure regulations set by both the Government and the British Acupuncture Council.

04/09/2020

This is fascinating research; the Mawangdui manuscripts were discovered in 1973. They have now been translated and show that anatomical description of acupuncture meridians were written over 2000 years ago and pre-date the Yellow Emperor's Classic, which was believed to be the source of acupuncture theory and practice. This places the theory we work with in practice to even earlier than we had believed. No doubt more will be revealed from this very special manuscript.

New research shows that the oldest surviving anatomical atlas comes from Han Dynasty China, and was written over 2,000 years ago.

06/07/2020

I'm very excited to say that Five Seasons Acupuncture is officially open as of today....

As you would expect there are a few changes but the room is freshly decorated, Covid-19 secure and all BAcC and local Government guidelines have of course been followed. I have written a guide explaining what is different for existing patients and what to expect. l can send links to my Risk Assessments as needed.

It's wonderful to be gently and cautiously moving out of deep Yin hibernation.

23/03/2020

Along with many others, Five Seasons Acupuncture will now be in "hibernation."

Hibernation is a time to reflect, self-nourish and heal ready for new activity in the future. I have already started online education courses and will use this time wisely for the benefit of my clients and myself of course.

Stay safe; keep busy and we'll regroup hopefully very soon....
Sarah xx

16/03/2020

As we continue in these uncertain times; I just wanted to reassure clients that at present I will be continuing to treat as normal. As always, I will be complying with the British Acupuncture Council's advice and guidance on our regular safe practice but also taking into account the updated advice given by the BAcC and NHS regarding keeping everyone safe.

My clinic room is routinely cleaned and all hard surfaces are being cleaned between clients as always. Soft surfaces are as always changed between appointments. All items coming into contact with clients are also being thoroughly cleaned between appointments as always.

The main difference is that I am asking clients to wash their hands on entry to and when leaving the clinic to bring this into line with NHS advice. I have alcohol gel available in addition if required, please just ask.

I know my clients well, and know that those who feel unwell wouldn't come for treatment under normal circumstances let alone at present. I am happy to discuss each person's individual circumstances as required, especially if there are specific circumstances of recent travel or recent potential exposure to the virus.

I would never miss an opportunity to pass on the link with all regularly updated information regarding COVID-19 from the NHS at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

If advice changes then of course I will be complying with any advice given and any pre-booked clients will be notified by phone or email.

NHS advice about coronavirus (COVID-19), including what to do if you think you have it and how to reduce your chances of getting it.

04/02/2020

This film shows how acupuncture can be used alongside or after cancer treatment to reduce side effects and help support during treatment. Mount Vernon has always been leading the way in this area of acupuncture.

08/04/2019

Always check that your practitioner is fully qualified, appropriately registered with a professional body and is properly insured. As this article explains, practitioners don't have to be registered so it's best to always check before booking an appointment.

Imagine this scenario. You are chatting to someone in your pharmacy about an ailment and out of the blue they say: “My friend had acupuncture — would you recommend it?” How would you respond? The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) knows, from its research with GPs, that when it comes to tr...

10/03/2019

This is a good quality trial but a larger and longer trial with more emphasis on finding a suitable comparator, will assist in supporting this research.

A brief course of acupuncture may help to ease troublesome menopausal symptoms, suggests a small study published in the online journal BMJ Open.