Dr Penelope Brougham MSc, MBChB, DipAc (Beijing), Member of British Medical Acupuncture Society
Ulrike Wirth Lic Ac, BScHons, MBAcC
Dr Brougham qualified in medicine at Liverpool University and is a registered medical practitioner. She is a member of the British Medical Acupuncture Society and has studied and trained in various parts of the world including China. Dr. Brougham also has a Masters degree in hypnosis from University College London and is a member of the British Society of Medical and Dental Hypnosis.
Ulrike Wirth studied for a BScHons in Acupuncture at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine in Reading and graduated in 2006. She is a member of the British Acupuncture Council (where she also works part time as a Safe Practice Administrator) and practises an integrated style of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Five Element Acupuncture.  Ulrike's background is in music. She trained as a classical violinist from a young age and spent her early 20s touring Europe with a rock band. On her travels she was introduced to Buddhist vipassana meditation which sparked her interest in Eastern culture and philosophy and which, eventually, led her to the study of Chinese medicine.
 


What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a treatment in which fine needles are placed at specific parts of the body to relieve pain and discomfort and to try and return the body to its normal working pattern.

The theories of acupuncture range from the traditional Chinese energy channels to the modern day interpretation of altering hormones and biochemistry within the body.

The purpose of acupuncture is to relieve distress, normalise the body function and therefore alleviate disorders. Pain relief comes from raised endorphin levels along with other hormones produced throughout the body and within the brain. These biochemical changes improve mood, reduce the effects of stress and in women the hormonal changes help to regulate the menstrual cycle.

What conditions can an Acupuncturist treat?
A wide range of disorders can be helped including many causes of pain. These include arthritis, frozen shoulder, headache, migraine, back pain and many others.

Due to the major changes happening in the body in response to insertions of needles, other symptoms, such as sleeplessness, menstrual and menopausal disorders, dizziness, hypertension and many others can be alleviated. It is also useful to help in smoking cessation.

Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with conventional medicine.

Photo of acupuncture
Is Acupuncture safe?
At the clinic all needles are fully sterilized, pre–packaged and disposable. In some cases electro–acupuncture is used where an electric current is run through some needles.

The National Blood Transfusion centre approves acupuncture treatment provided by a medically qualified doctor using disposable needles. A certificate can be provided.

 

What happens at the first appointment?
On your first visit you will be talking to Dr Brougham who takes a history and assesses your particular condition. Treatment usually starts at the first appointment. Further treatments will be discussed at that time.

Follow up appointments are often made for one week later at which time the original response is reviewed and a programme of treatment is then defined, depending on the severity of the complaint, for how long it has been present and the response to the acupuncture.

Whilst response is not guaranteed, there are many benefits to your overall sense of well being from having some acupuncture treatment.