Traditional 5 Element Acupuncture
The traditional medicine of China has developed over the last three thousand years into a unique and highly sophisticated system for understanding health and disease. It includes acupuncture, herbs, exercise, massage and diet.
Acupuncture typically involves the insertion of fine needles into specific places on the body, known as acupuncture points. It is based on the theory that we all have a QI – an energy/life force – flowing throughout our bodies. This QI is thought to be concentrated in to channels or meridians, along which lie the acupuncture points. Acupuncturists believe that a harmonious flow of QI is essential to health. Any disruption upsets the balance of Yin and Yang – two opposite but complementary forces whose perfect balance is essential for well-being. To restore balance, an acupuncturist simulates the relevant meridians by the insertion of fine, sterile, single use needles into specific points. The focus of acupuncture is on stimulating the bodies own healing responses, improving the overall well-being of the patient and tackling the root cause of problems, rather than the isolated treatments of specific symptoms. For muscular related problems acupuncture offers a specific and effective treatment. Muscles can develop hypersensitive points known as trigger points. These often correspond to the actual acupuncture points. Trigger points can become quite uncomfortable, often affecting the whole muscle, sometimes referring pain to what would seem to be an unrelated area. Acupuncture can specifically target these points, dispersing/releasing them.
The insertion of the needles is hardly perceptible and is then followed by a momentary sensation of numbness or tingling as the body’s energy is activated. The needles are left in place for between 15-30 minutes, during which patients feel pleasantly relaxed. This is a very powerful form of medicine and can be used to treat a wide range of diseases. Because the treatment is tailored to the individual and addresses the underlying energy imbalances which cause the symptoms, the result is an overall improvement in physical and emotional well-being. A typical course would consist of between 6-10 sessions; however, for young people, or for recent conditions, fewer sessions may be appropriate whereas for older patients, or more long-standing problems, treatment might take considerably longer.
Established Acupuncture clinic based in Kings Norton, South Birmingham, covering Northfield, Bournville, Kings Heath, Barnt Green
Our Acupuncturists
List of Services
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Annie Pottinger - LicAc, MBacCList Item 1
Professional Classical Acupuncture in Kings Norton, Birmingham
Annie Pottinger graduated from the College of Traditional Acupuncture, Leamington, in 1997 and later did a further years study at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, Reading. Over the years Annie Pottinger has treated people for a wide variety of ailments; stress and depression, periods problems and fertility as well as being involved in a study to treat patients with IBS.
In 2005 Annie Pottinger returned to CTA as a Member of Faculty and in 2009 she opened the first Multi-bed Acupuncture Clinic in Birmingham at The Natural Health Centre in Kings Norton. Its primary aim was to make acupuncture more accessible to those people in the community who could least afford it. The clinic is thriving.
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Munir Akhmed - Lic.Ac.List Item 2
Traditional Five Element Acupuncture and Musculoskeletal Acupuncture, Kings Norton, Birmingham.
Munir graduated from The College Of Traditional Acupuncture Leamington Spa in 1996. He has been in private practice ever since. He moved to The Natural Health Centre in Kings Norton Birmingham in 1999. His speciality is treating all types of painful conditions such as back, shoulder, knee, arthritis, sciatica, nerve entrapment, headaches, fybromyalgia, muscular and other types of pain. Munir has been constantly researching and developing his skills in the field of pain for over 15 years.
He has developed a deft touch at finding the root cause of pain. Munir's methods are based on the researched fact that where there is pain there is muscle shortening and / or muscle spasm. This can lead to the development of trigger points which may refer pain to other ares of the body. For example muscle spasm in the piriformis found in the hip area can refer pain into the leg. There could also be nerve root entrapment at the spinal segment. Munir has had some fantastic results treating low back pain, sciatic pain and neck and shoulder pain.
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Jennifer Hughes - LicAc MBAcC
Jennifer Hughes has spent 20 years within the NHS before studying acupuncture and continues to work within the NHS as a healthcare professional. She believes that you should be able to combine western medicine with acupuncture rather than having to choose between the two. Using a variety of methods including moxa, gua sha, cupping and acupuncture to treat the person as a whole as well as a variety of different ailments. She continues to enhance her knowledge within acupuncture with regular updates and courses. A reduced rate one to one clinic is also available for those who are retired or on benefits.
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Victoria Carrolan - Lic Ac MBAcCList Item 3
Professional Acupuncture Birmingham
Victoria Carrolan is a graduate of the College of Traditional Acupuncture and member of the British Acupuncture Council. Victoria is also a Chartered Physiotherapist.
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Sarah Watkins - LicAc MBAcCList Item 4
Traditional Acupuncturist in Kings Norton, Kings Heath, Northfield and South Birmingham.
Sarah is a graduate of the 5 element acupunture school - The Acupuncture Academy - based in Leamington.