St Neots Chinese Medical Centre

11/11/2025

🌿 Can Acupuncture Help People Living with Lymphoedema? 🌿

A fascinating UK study carried out at the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre (Mount Vernon Cancer Centre) explored the use of acupuncture and moxibustion (acu/moxa) as part of care for people with lymphoedema following cancer treatment — a condition that often causes long-term swelling, pain, and emotional distress.

For years, those with lymphoedema were advised to avoid any form of skin puncture, including acupuncture. However, this carefully designed research showed that acupuncture—when performed safely by qualified practitioners and avoiding the affected area—can be both safe and beneficial.

✨ What the study found:
✅ Acupuncture significantly improved pain, energy, sleep, mood, and overall wellbeing.
✅ Many participants felt less anxious, more positive, and more in control of their health.
✅ There were no serious side effects or worsening of swelling.
✅ Some patients even became more motivated to maintain healthy routines and better self-care.

💬 One participant said:

“It wasn’t going to cure lymphoedema, but it helped me feel so much better physically and emotionally that lymphoedema was no longer the centre of my life.”

This important study highlights that acupuncture can safely complement conventional lymphoedema management—helping improve quality of life for those living with this challenging condition.

If you or someone you know is dealing with cancer-related lymphoedema, acupuncture may offer gentle support to ease discomfort, boost energy, and restore emotional balance.

Full research:

03/11/2025

🌿 The Role of Acupuncture in Cancer Care 🌿

Acupuncture can play a valuable supportive role at every stage of cancer care. Increasing evidence shows it can help improve comfort, reduce treatment side effects, and enhance overall well-being.

✨ How acupuncture may help:
✅ Enhancing well-being at any stage of cancer treatment
✅ Supporting palliative care and improving quality of life
✅ Helping manage post-operative pain
✅ Treating cancer-related pain naturally
✅ Reducing the need for narcotics — and thereby minimizing side effects such as confusion, nausea, constipation, and changes in mental activity
✅ Controlling nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy or radiotherapy
✅ Reducing local swelling and helping tissue recover more quickly after surgery
✅ Easing breathlessness in patients with lung cancer or those who also have COPD
✅ Boosting the immune response
✅ Relieving xerostomia (dry mouth) following radiotherapy

Acupuncture works by stimulating the body’s natural healing responses, improving circulation, and calming the nervous system — helping patients feel more balanced, supported, and comfortable during a challenging time.

To read more, see the brief article below from the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, which highlights these supportive roles.

💚 If you or someone you know is undergoing cancer treatment and would like to explore how acupuncture may help, please feel free to get in touch for more information or a gentle, supportive consultation.

https://medicalacupuncture.org/conditions/acupuncture-for-cancer/

Alongside prescribed medications, acupuncture has shown promise in reducing pain and other side effects from cancer and cancer treatments.

15/10/2025

🌿 Why Acupuncture Helps with Arthritis 🌿

Arthritis can make everyday movements painful — whether it’s stiffness in the morning, aching joints, or swelling that limits mobility. Many people find that acupuncture offers real relief, especially when conventional treatments aren’t enough.

👉 How it works:

🩸 Acupuncture improves blood circulation around the joints, helping to reduce inflammation and nourish cartilage and surrounding tissues.

🧠 It encourages the body to release natural pain-relieving chemicals like endorphins, reducing pain without medication.

💆‍♀️ It relaxes tight muscles and eases stiffness, allowing smoother movement.

Many of my patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis report less pain, improved flexibility, and a better quality of life after a course of acupuncture treatments.

If you or someone you know struggles with joint pain, acupuncture could be a gentle and effective way to support your body’s natural healing. 🌸

📍St Neots Chinese Medical Centre
📞 To book or ask a question, please call 01480 475696

25/09/2025

🌍💙 World Arthritis Day – 12th October 💙🌍

Arthritis affects millions of people worldwide, and for many it feels like a lifelong struggle. GP care and medication often mean painkillers to mask the pain, and eventually, surgery to replace worn joints. But these approaches can’t slow the progress of arthritis.

💡 To protect your joints and improve your quality of life, it’s important to:
✅ Follow a balanced diet that reduces inflammation (think omega-3 rich foods, fresh vegetables, and less processed sugar).
✅ Keep moving – gentle, regular exercise strengthens the muscles around your joints, giving them better support.
✅ Try acupuncture – it can help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation, making movement easier and more comfortable.

✨ With over 18 years of clinic experience, we’ve seen how acupuncture helps clients not only manage pain, but also slow down arthritis progression by supporting the body’s natural healing process.

💬 On World Arthritis Day, let’s spread awareness: you don’t have to just “live with it.” There are natural, effective ways to ease pain and stay active.

📅 Contact us today to book an appointment.

📧 Email: info@chinesenaturaltherapy.co.uk

📞 Tel: 01480 475696

23/06/2025

🌿 Is Traditional Chinese Medicine Just Ancient Belief? Not Quite. 🌿

Many people think acupuncture and Chinese medicine are based only on old traditions or even “mystical” ideas. But did you know that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is actually a result of over 2,000 years of observation, clinical experience and scientific thinking?

👩‍⚕️ Chinese doctors were trained professionals. They studied anatomy, identified diseases and developed treatment methods based on patterns they saw in real patients.

📍 Acupuncture, for example, isn’t just about “energy” or “qi.” It’s about how the body responds to physical stimulation — like needles, heat (moxa) or touch (massage). Today, science has confirmed that these treatments can activate nerves, improve circulation, and reduce pain.

🧠 Modern science and TCM don’t have to compete — they can work together. In fact, many doctors in China and the West use both approaches to get better results for their patients.

💬 TCM uses different language and models to understand the body. Words like “yin and yang” might sound strange at first, but they are just ways to explain balance, change and how symptoms relate to each other — a bit like how Western doctors talk about hormones or inflammation.

🏥 Today, TCM is used in hospitals around the world. It is backed by ongoing research and practiced by professionals who also understand modern medicine. For conditions like pain, stress, digestion, and women’s health — acupuncture and Chinese herbs can offer real help.

✨ If you're curious but unsure, why not try a consultation?

📅 Book your free initial consultation today and explore how ancient knowledge and modern care can work together — for your health.

20/06/2025

🌿 New Research: Acupuncture Helps Improve Treatment for Anxious Depression 🌿

A new study from the AcuSDep Trial shows that acupuncture, when used alongside antidepressant medication (SSRIs), can significantly improve outcomes for people suffering from anxious depression—a common and more challenging form of depression.

🔹 Patients who received acupuncture + SSRIs had:
✔️ Better symptom relief
✔️ Faster improvement
✔️ Higher remission rates
✔️ Fewer side effects
✔️ Improved quality of life

Even for those with non-anxious depression, acupuncture helped speed up the effects of their medication.

💡 This evidence highlights acupuncture’s potential as a valuable add-on therapy—especially for those not getting full relief from medication alone.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression and looking for more support, acupuncture may be worth considering. Feel free to get in touch to learn how it can help.

Research details:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38770535/

ChiCTR-TRC-08000297.

13/06/2025

🌟 Acupuncture and IVF: What the Latest Evidence Says! 🌟
Curious about how acupuncture might influence IVF outcomes? Here's a summary of the current evidence:
Acupuncture vs. No Treatment:
Clinical Pregnancy Rate: Increased by 28%–32%
Ongoing Pregnancy Rate: Increased by 42%
Live Birth Rate: Increased by 30%
Acupuncture shows promising potential in enhancing IVF outcomes, especially under certain conditions. Stay informed and consider discussing acupuncture with our fertility specialist! 🌺✨
Reference: Point of Influence: What is the Role of Acupuncture in In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6918533/

Augmenting in vitro fertilization (IVF) with acupuncture is a popular adjuvant therapy in the United States, but its influence on IVF birth outcomes remains controversial. Recent meta-analyses found acupuncture is effective to increase the risk of live ...

05/06/2025

🌿 Can Acupuncture Help with Cancer-Related Fatigue (CRF)? 🌿

A growing body of research says yes.

Fatigue is one of the most common and distressing symptoms experienced during and after cancer treatment—affecting up to 90% of patients receiving radiation and 80% undergoing chemotherapy. This isn’t just “feeling tired.” Cancer-related fatigue is constant, not relieved by rest, and often disrupts daily life, sleep, appetite, and mental health.

🔍 A recent review of 9 high-quality clinical trials (including over 800 participants) found that acupuncture significantly reduced CRF compared to both sham acupuncture and usual care. The studies also reported no serious side effects, only minor and rare bruising or spot bleeding.

💡 With limited pharmaceutical options for CRF, acupuncture offers a safe, natural, and evidence-based way to help cancer survivors regain energy and improve quality of life.

If you or someone you care about is dealing with post-cancer fatigue, we are here to support your recovery with gentle, effective acupuncture care.

📍 Call 01480 475696 to learn more or book a consultation.

Link for research paper:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1534735420949679

Background Several studies have identified fatigue as one of the major symptoms experienced during and after cancer treatment. However, there are limited option...

15/05/2025

🌿 Mental Health Awareness Week 🌿
12–18 May 2025
Theme: “Community”

Mental health is something we all share—and this year’s theme highlights how strong, supportive communities can make a real difference to our emotional wellbeing.

Acupuncture is not just about physical health—it’s also a powerful tool for mental and emotional balance. At our clinic, we support clients dealing with:

🧠 Anxiety and stress
💤 Poor sleep
💖 Emotional ups and downs
🌬️ Feelings of overwhelm or burnout

Acupuncture works by calming the nervous system, rebalancing the body’s energy (Qi), and creating space for deep rest and healing. Many clients say they feel more centred, calm, and connected after their treatments.

This week, let’s take a moment to check in—with ourselves and with each other. If you or someone you know could benefit from acupuncture, feel free to get in touch. You’re not alone. 💚

02/05/2025

🌪 Why Stress Can Make You Physically Ill – and How We Can Help 🩺

We often think of stress as just an emotional burden—but did you know that chronic stress can trigger real physical health problems?

When you're under stress, your body goes into “fight or flight” mode, releasing adrenaline and cortisol. While helpful in emergencies, staying in this heightened state over time can wear your body down.

📉 Chronic stress can lead to:
✔️ Tension headaches & migraines
✔️ Digestive issues like IBS
✔️ Sleep disturbances
✔️ High blood pressure
✔️ Hormonal imbalance
✔️ Weakened immune system
✔️ Anxiety and low mood

🌿 At our St Neots Chinese Medical Centre, we specialize in calming the nervous system and helping your body restore balance. Acupuncture and traditional Chinese herbal support can:
✅ Reduce stress hormone levels
✅ Ease muscle tension
✅ Improve circulation and digestion
✅ Support better sleep and energy
✅ Boost mood and immunity

💆‍♀️ Whether you’re dealing with chronic stress, fatigue, or tension-related conditions, we’re here to help your body heal from the inside out.

📍Over 18 years’ experience in the UK
🌱 Fully qualified and insured
📞 DM us to book or ask questions – your well-being matters.

Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Massage, Allergy Test

29/04/2025

☀️☀️☀️Digital Detox☀️☀️☀️
The weather is finally warming up! It’s the perfect time to put down our screens and soak up some sunshine.

Why not take a little digital detox this week? Step outside, breathe in the fresh air, go for a walk, have a picnic, or simply enjoy the beauty of nature around you 🌳🌸

Let’s give our minds a break from the constant scrolling and reconnect with the world in real life. Your body, eyes, and soul will thank you! 💛
📸🌿

17/04/2025

We will be closed from Friday, 18th April to Tuesday, 22nd April. We will reopen on Wednesday, 23rd April . Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.