About me
I have been studying Oriental Medicine for 39 years and practising for 36 years. I first studied acupuncture at the College of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture in Leamington Spa, in the late 1970s, under the tutelage of Professor JR Worsley, and graduated in 1981. The first style of acupuncture I learned was Five Element acupuncture. During my first years of practice I took further courses in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture.
In 1983 I took a teaching post in the Peoples' Republic of China, teaching English in a provincial University in Manchuria. This enabled me to further study acupuncture and introduced me to Chinese Herbal medicine. Concurrently with studying acupuncture I had begun to learn Taijiquan. In China I was able to explore this further, as well as being introduced to medical Qigong.
On my return to the UK I set up in private practice in South London, where I worked until 1999, when I relocated to Devon. In the late 1980s I was introduced to Japanese Meridian Therapy, a style of acupuncture which is rooted in the Medical Classics of the Han Dynasty, and Shiatsu, the Japanese massage therapy that is commonly incorporated into acupuncture practice in Japan. Meridian Therapy is noted for its lightness of touch, and also for the use of moxibustion therapy. In Japan moxibustion, the burning of Moxa (Mugwort) either on or close to the surface of the skin, is a complete therapy in its own right; combined with acupuncture it is a very powerful therapeutic tool.
Studying Meridian Therapy has taken me to Japan and the USA. I practice in Totnes and Paignton.
Teaching
My first experience of teaching began in 1983, when I took a teaching post in the Peoples' Republic of China, teaching English in a provincial University in Manchuria. From 1991 until 1994 I taught at the London Academy of Oriental Medicine, and was a senior teacher at the London College of Traditional Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from 1994 until 2003.
I have subsequently taught at the South West College of Oriental Medicine in Bristol, the School of Five Element Acupuncture in London, the London Institute of Five Element Acupuncture and the College of Naturopathic Medicine.
I currently teach Westminster University on the MSc Chinese Herbal Medicine program, where I am the coordinator of three modules, as well as a Clinical Supervisor.
Research
Current research:
None at present
Membership of Professional Bodies:
I am a member of the British Acupuncture Council and the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine the regulatory bodies for acupuncture and Chinese Herbal medicine respectively, in the UK, and am bound by the Codes of Professional Practice of both bodies.