Ela Pękalska - Zest Acupuncture & Wellness

14/11/2025

My recent review:

"I highly recommend Ela the Chinese medicine specialist who offers therapy for back pain using acupuncture! She is an extremely professional person who treats on various levels, showing enormous knowledge, empathy, and commitment. Her approach to the patient is holistic and very effective. If you're looking for a proven specialist who will help you get rid of back pain, she's definitely worth visiting!"

11/11/2025

CHAOS has two Faces.
The first Face is an expression of the Shadow and manifests as Panic.
The other face is an expression of Creativity and manifests as Exploration.
Something new is being born from difficulty, limitations, and lack.
We live in times of chaos, where foundations are falling down, left to right.
We are flooded with information, both literally and metaphorically.
We are overwhelmed not only by an abundance of information, images, interviews, books, films, and knowledge but also by artificial intelligence.
I don't know about you, but I prefer even the clumsy way of a human over the brilliant "imagination" of AI.
I observe AI, of course, and I explore.
I am curious, just like you are.
Yet, I prefer a text that is flawed, awkward, and ungrammatical, written by a human, over one which is polished by AI.
Why?
Because words, drawings and expressions carry a Spark of Consciousness within them.
Through them and thanks to them, I can have a glimpse who I am, and who I am NOT.
It is through imperfection, ugliness, or disharmony that something within me stirs up.
I feel touched.
This is what is fascinating: our uniqueness expressed through rough edges.
AI-generated paintings or texts are pretty, interesting, and intriguing.
But... flat.
I'm starting to feel them as monotonous "bleh."
There is no depth.
There is no process.
There is no transformation.
I live. I transform. I change.
I explore.
But for this to happen, I need to experience myself in the Body.
To awaken primal instincts, intuition, and sensory perception.
I step beyond every form, procedure, method, or approach.
And although my foundation lies within Chinese medicine, I also draw from dozens of other approaches that I neither discuss with you, nor even mention.
It is what you do NOT know about me, has shaped me
and my approach to holistic healing.
Can you infer what what you see?
Procedures, methods, and forms were only meant to help me integrate myself a thousand times over. II have explored the same themes in different ways, by using a variety of techniques. Having done so over 30+ years, I awakened instincts and understanding.
That is why I can now help others navigate OUT of the chaos.
Everything that is a prescription is rigidity.
It is the knowledge of the past.
When you study medicine, you have prescriptions - if you are after this results you ahve to use this remedy, or
"neck pain?" - there you are - this is the group of acupuncture points.
And although I have a whole toolkit of "tools and procedures" to ease pain, suffering, dysfunction, rigidity, injury, or bruising...
each time I begin "empty."
I am there in my conscious here-and-now, empty handed, seeing the other person.
Without a procedure or prescription of what to do.
I simply am.
It is from this emptiness and being-ness that solutions arise.
The chaos you bring meets the emptiness within me.
I trust myself.
My sensitivity.
My empathy.
That ... in your presence, a solution will reveal itself.
When I touch the Body, it is just me, my hands, and my feelings.
"What do you feel?" I ask myself.
My hands know.
My mind often does not.
My mind searches for words, of course, and for patterns.
But it is the hands, the body, the sensory perception that acts within me and through me.
📍 True solutions are born when chaos is transformed by emptiness.📍
If you are seeking solutions for yourself, immerse yourself in your Body.
If you live in your head, the chaos of the Shadow will catch up with you.

If you want to learn how to do this for yourself, you can learn from me.
Come and experience it first hand.
zestacupuncture.neetocal.com

Ela

07/11/2025

My recent review:

" I was dealing with strong pain caused by a strained shoulder. Instead of treating only the painful spot, Ela approached my body holistically, looking for the true source of the discomfort rather than just addressing the symptom.

She works with Traditional Chinese Medicine, which was a completely new experience for me - and a truly fascinating one. She combined massage with acupuncture, doing everything with remarkable attentiveness and professionalism. What stood out the most, though, was her presence: calm, warm, and deeply considerate. You immediately feel you’re in the hands of someone who not only knows exactly what she’s doing, but also genuinely cares.

I am incredibly grateful to her not only for the immediate help, but also for sparking my interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine and opening my eyes to a new way of understanding the body and health.

Thank you, Ela. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for therapy rooted in mindfulness, knowledge, and sincere care."

29/10/2025

HAIR - OH, LESS GRAY THAN A YEAR AGO!

Grey hair shows up with age.

In Chinese medicine, hair is understood as an "extension of the blood." This means that the quality of the blood and its proper circulation to the head influences the quality of the hair.
If you start to have a lot of grey hair before 45-50, it means that either the circulation to nourish the hair follicles (and thus, to the head) is disturbed, or the quality of your blood is poor.
Stress weakens both of these factors.
In my own case, over the last year, the amount of grey hair has decreased.
I certainly have it, at my age of 53, but there is significantly less of it.
Unfortunately, I don't have a comparison photo, but I can simply see what's there.
Here's a photo from yesterday – you can see my 1.5inch roots from the top – I last dyed my hair in June.
What did I do?
I increased the amount of foods that, as we say in Chinese medicine, support "Jing."
Jing is our congenital vital essence, understood as genetics, the relationships between hormones, neurotransmitters, etc.
The same foods are now supporting me through menopause, which—aside from wrinkles—doesn't pose any challenges for me. I'm going through it very smoothly.

They are:
📍Black sesame seeds
I really like them and they are SUPER nutritious for hair and during menopause! – always roasted or cooked. I love carrots slightly cooked in butter, then with water, and finally, I add black sesame seeds at the end
Similarly, I add black sesame to rice and grains, as well as to salads or vegetables. Even to potatoes. And my boys sometimes make black sesame snacks for themselves.
📍Black and red beans
📍 Blueberries and blackberries in the summer
📍 Leafy greens / green vegetables (broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, cilantro, parsley) – always steamed or cooked
📍 Small amounts of nuts daily – cooked, soaked (small amounts because they are hard to digest) – walnuts, pecans, Brazil nuts
📍 Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds – also cooked
📍 Bone broths
📍Seaweed
📍 Dried dates / red dates – but I add just a few when I'm cooking soups, meats, or vegetables.
All seeds and nuts are hard to digest, so I always eat them cooked, roasted, or added to soups, broths, etc.
And voila!
The only comparison worth making is to your own past self.

07/10/2025

A SUMMARY:
I am a well-rounded Chinese medicine practitioner at Zest Acupuncture & Integral Wellness.
I founded this holistic health clinic with a single focus:
- to provide effective, integrated solutions for those struggling with chronic pain and complex health problems.
Our goal is to restore physical, mental, and emotional balance.
I am fully qualified, insured and registered with ATCM (The Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture). I am committed to the highest possible standards.
At Zest Acupuncture, we specialise in resolving chronic health issues that have not responded to conventional treatment.
Before I studied Chinese medicine, my scientific work in mathematics and data science taught me how to solve complex puzzles.
This analytical thinking, paired with deep intuition and a diagnostic approach of Chinese medicine, allows us to move beyond surface-level symptoms to identify the underlying root cause of your discomfort.
We integrate this understanding with time-tested healing practices, creating a truly modern and effective form of acupuncture and holistic medicine.
We take a multi-faceted approach to treating pain, illness, and emotional well-being. Most sessions are a customised blend of modalities. Our methods combine targeted acupuncture, therapeutic bodywork, and holistic nutrition or herbal medicine. By integrating a discussion of lifestyle, we create a tailored pathway to your well-being.
Our modalities:
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture, Electroacupuncture, Dry Needling

- Manual Therapies: Acupressure, Massage, Myofascial Release, Cupping, Gua Sha, Lymphatic Drainage, Visceral Therapy

- Lifestyle & Herbal Medicine: Nutritional Guidance, Herbal Prescriptions, Breathwork, Sound Therapy​
Our goal is your lasting well-being, helping you build a foundation for a balanced and more vibrant life.
Ela
zestacupuncture.neetocal.com

05/10/2025

Acupuncture can help alleviate pain and address complex health issues.
But sometimes, a link to research is needed:

Acupuncture delivered three times weekly produced substantially larger reductions in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS) scores than sham acupuncture in adults with refractory IBS, with benefits sustained through eight weeks and no serious adverse events.

25/09/2025

A Note on My Practice

Over the years, I've gained a wealth of knowledge and skills, and today, I can confidently say I can help with complex health problems.
Can I help everyone?
Honestly, no.
But I have been able to help the overwhelming majority of people who have walked through my door.
For me, success isn't always a total cure—sometimes that's not possible. It's about transformation. It's the difference between an 8/10 pain that dictates your life and a 4/10 discomfort you can live with. It's the shift from sheer survival to truly living.
How do we get there?
It usually takes a few sessions.
We start with a thorough 2-hour visit where we look at everything—your diet, lifestyle, and posture. I'll analyse your pulse and tongue, and listen to your body's story.
I have the most experience with physical pain, migraines, emotional struggles (anxiety, OCD, trauma), digestive issues, allergies, and women's health. I love working with all ages, from children (using gentle massage and cups) to adults.
My toolbox is diverse: acupuncture, bodywork, cupping, herbs, and sound therapy. I use what feels right for you.
If you're in or near High Peak (SK23 7HE) and are looking for a compassionate partner for your health journey, I would be honoured to work with you.
Ela

17/09/2025

KNOW THYSELF
I have delved deeply into numerology. I even rediscovered my own numerological portrait from over 25 years ago (in my computer files.) I was inspired to revisit numerology two years ago, but I needed more time.
Lately, I've been into astrology. I've surrounded myself with knowledge and materials, but ultimately, I have been contemplating them myself.
I meditate on the layout of my birth chart.
And other birth charts.
For me, the patterns revealed in numerology align perfectly with what I see in astrology, be it Western and Chinese. I'm also exploring Vedic astrology. All of these systems describe the same core trends and patterns about me.
You may think "
Oh, what nonsense! How can the arrangement of planets and stars, or a birth date, possibly have any significance on a person's life?"

And yet, we can all observe that life unfolds in cycles.
Annual, monthly, and daily cycles.
The night transforms into day, and there are periods when the night is longer, and others when the day is longer.
There are seasons.
There are times when everything is a struggle and times when everything flows smoothly.
A wise person observes these cycles.
These processes and cycles co-create us and our experiences. They follow a natural path: from a seed falling on the right soil, to its initial invisible growth, until it sprouts, grows, develops, bears fruit, produces new seeds, and finally dies—so it can be reborn again from a seed.
Therefore, I see the planets not just as physical bodies, but symbolically as archetypes from our subconsciousness or the collective unconsciousness, describing certain cycles and their aspects (e.g., Mars - activity, warrior spirit, action). They influence us, or rather, we mirror these archetypes within ourselves.
Just consider: why are the days of the week named after planets?
- Sunday - Sun's day

- Monday - Moon's day

- Tuesday - Tyr's day (Tyr = Mars)

- Wednesday - Mercury's day (Mercoledi)

- Thursday - Thor's day (Thor = Jupiter)

- Friday - Freya's day (Freya = Venus)

- Saturday - Saturn's day

Isn't this the influence of these patterns subconsciously encoded into Western culture?
These aren't the only archetypes at play, which is wonderfully illustrated by my identical twins. They were born 2 minutes apart with practically identical birth charts, yet they are vastly different.
Astrology and numerology map the paths of our personality, our burdens, our generational or family blessings, and the influences of the subconscious.

But they do not touch the soul (they may refer to the astral part, but that is not the soul. Meditate on this if you disagree!).
This is why there can be such colossal differences between identical twins.
The same variables are input into the same family, yet different life stories will unfold because different souls are involved. The differences between twins begin from the moment they are in the womb.
Anyway, one must first develop the personality and understand the patterns life brings before the soul can fully reveal itself.
The interesting part is that many of us know deep down what our path is, but we "run away" from it because we think we should be like everyone else. Our true path can "prick" and "chafe" us. Usually quite severely.
In my case, the message has been clear in a hundred different ways.
My path is research: delving into difficult, secret, and hidden knowledge and simplifying it into practical, concrete results. Medicine. Astrology. Patterns. Mathematics. Geometry. I move both in depth and in breadth. I am here to find unusual connections, to investigate everything.
To discover new paths in health, philosophy, mathematics, and art.
I enable transformation, and I operate near the transformation between life and death.
My task is to face difficult cases.
I myself may not always be the easiest person in a relationship, as this immersion in abstract and philosophical thinking causes me to jump into interactions and then withdraw. My communication is direct—I like to be concrete and straightforward, not necessarily sweet. That's the so-called "Scorpio rising"; as a Scorpio, I can surprise. But that same Scorpio gives me my power.
I am not here to be sweet, but to shake others up, because my path is about bringing order to chaos and guiding transformation when things are falling apart.
And so, I embrace who I am.
If you're curious about what your birth chart reveals about your unique purpose and health, I offer personalised one-on-one online consultations to guide you.
Ideally, we would combine this with acupuncture sessions to allow the understanding from the patterns to integrate into the Body.
Contact me for details if you are interested.
zestacupuncture@gmial.com
whatsupp : 0777 580 6677
3 online meetings + 3 body sessions (acupuncture, fascia, abdominal work)
or 6 online sessions
Or, some for "regular" sessions where you will begin your transformation.
Appointments: zestcupuncture.neetocal.com

Ela

16/09/2025

AN OLD REVIEW.
The headaches did not return.

"I have suffered terrible headaches for about 10 years. After neck & brain scans, nothing was found. I was prescribed various tablets (some with horrible side effects).
I was told about Zest Acupuncture & gave it a go. I booked a block of five treatments.
Ela was extremely professional, both in her treatment & advice. I was treated with massage & acupuncture, each time, on leaving feeling comfortable and relaxed.
After concentrating on specific areas of the neck, my headaches have reduced massively. So much so that I have come off my prescribed medicine & still no regression.
I will be going again for maintenance treatment.
Thank you very much Ela"

24/07/2025

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