Because life should have no pressure points

Traditionalism meets empiricism at Shaftesbury Clinic: Since 2008, we have provided thousands of acupuncture treatments to over 1,600 patients

Modern scientific research increasingly shows the application of acupuncture to many conditions and symptoms: Studies have shown up mechanisms of action with acupuncture demonstrating effects on the nervous system and brain, endocrine (hormonal) system, cardiovascular (blood circulatory) system and many other measurable effects that can be seen in blood samples and on MRI and other types of scans.

If you have a specific condition in mind, please see our condition pages, where the research is discussed and resources and references made available for you to appraise this: Condition Information Alternatively please don't hesitate to get in touch, we're always happy to talk about what we do.

We are more than happy to discuss the relevance and application of acupuncture for you in view of our clinical experience in a wide range of areas. We offer free 20 minute consultations by appointment, in order to facilitate this, as we understand the importance of knowing about what acupuncture may be able to offer, before deciding whether it is for you.

The acupuncturists at Shaftesbury Clinic are very interested in research and development, and we stay in touch with the latest findings and techniques from research.

To create life, you first need a stress-free existence

A large number of patients use acupuncture for fertility reasons in the UK (Bovey et al, 2010) the same is true in the decades of experience of our practitioners here at Shaftesbury Clinic where we have seen that is it very popular amongst those wishing to conceive who may be experiencing difficulties, or undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). There is a growing body of scientific evidence in this field, and full references and resources to these studies is available on our dedicated page..

Read more in depth here: Acupuncture and Fertility Resources

Our acupuncturists have training in facial acupuncture, and offer this popular technique whereby specialist acupuncture needles can be used upon the face.

Traditional acupuncture techniques are used in conjunction with the specific tailored facial techniques within this. Facial acupuncture is an intensive treatment, and appointments take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, and a course of treatments is usually recommended.

You may have read about, or seen this technique on popular television and in the press, as a number of celebrities and people in the public eye have been using it, including featuring a session taking place in the '10 years younger', programme on Channel 4.

You may have read about, or seen this technique, which has been televised on "10 years Younger" (on Channel 4).

Facial acupuncture is not just a recent celebrity craze, however, it has been documented for thousands of years in traditional usage. You may have become aware of it through its recent popularity over the last decade or so via the press, as many newspaper headlines have featured it, and such names as Kim Kardashian. Jessica Alba, Millie Mackintosh and David Duchovny, and newspaper columnists including Lynsey Clarke, having all shared photographs of themselves undergoing the technique, complete with facial acupuncture needles in situ. Singer Katy Perry was even featured in her music video "Never Really Over" sporting facial acupuncture needles in her face (whilst singing) and receiving a tradition acupuncture adjunct of cupping therapy (we also offer cupping).

See Facial acupuncture page for more information, references and resources

A gentle form of acupuncture; acupressure, can be used for children instead of needles.

We have provided acupressure to children from the age of two years, accompanied by their parents. Younger ones may sit on a parent’s lap. Older children are often quite happy to have acupuncture with needles once they are happy with what on entails.

Read more with research references: Acupuncture for Children

...the benefits of acupuncture without needles

If you cannot tolerate needles, or have a child for whom you think this traditional treatment could benefit, acupressure is an alternative to acupuncture, possessing the same effects.

An acupressure ‘probe’ is used which does not pierce the skin. Very accurate pressure is used on the acupuncture points. This gentle style can be used on children, with their parent or guardian present at all times. Gentle heat (moxibustion) is sometimes also used to warm particular acupoints

What does acupressure involve? The consultation and treatments are exactly the same process as for acupuncture, except that instead of needles, very accurate pressure is used on acupuncture points. As with acupuncture, these treatments are tailored to your unique needs.

Read more with research references: Acupressure

A specific protocol developed for use in pain.

Battlefield acupuncture was developed with the intention to be used in military battlefields as well as in emergency situations, as a protocol for the rapid relief of pain. Consisting of a set of auricular acupuncture points (on the ear), the technique is tailored to the type and location of the pain, making it potentially applicable to many types of pain..

Read more with research references: Battlefield Acupuncture

Our subsidiary Bedford Consulting Rooms is based in the same building, accommodates a broad range of Psychological support and counselling services, offering CBT, NLP, EMDR, Person Centred, Analytical, post traumatic, and specialised clinical psychology.

Our subsidiary Bedford Consulting Rooms is based in the same building, accommodates Nutritionists - complementary health practitioners who apply nutrition science to promote clients' health by identifying possible nutritional imbalances which may be causing health issues, and work with clients to address these with nutrition plans. Naturopaths use a range of alternative methods of diagnosis, a looking for certain predispositions in the body, in the prevention of disease and using lifestyle changes and supplements, herbal medicines, exercise and tissue salts to address clients' concerns. Complementary medicines offer approaches which complement Western Medical Approaches and clients should let their healthcare providers know they are using these.

Our subsidiary Bedford Consulting Rooms is based in the same building, accommodates a private specialist nurse who provides Ear microsuction and wax removal, as well as a dressings service.

Our subsidiary Bedford Consulting Rooms is based in the same building, accommodates a reflexologist. Reflexology is a therapeutic method of relieving pain by stimulating predefined pressure points on the feet and hands. This controlled pressure alleviates the source of the discomfort. Reflexologists work from maps of predefined pressure points that are located on the hands and feet. Reflexology is theorised to promote healing by stimulating the nerves in the body and encouraging the flow of blood. Complementary medicines offer approaches which complement Western Medical Approaches and clients should let their healthcare providers know they are using these

Our subsidiary Bedford Consulting Rooms is based in the same building, accommodates physiotherapists. Physios use a whole-person approach to help people affected by injury, illness or disability. They use modalities of movement, exercise, manual therapy, education and advice. Our specialist physiotherapists also provide gait and walking support to children with disabilities, and separately pelvic health physiotherapy for issues such as continence, pelvic pain and dysfunction

Our subsidiary Bedford Consulting Rooms is based in the same building, accommodates clinical psychologists who use psychological methods and research to enable positive change to clients' live.. They work with clients of all ages who have a variety of different mental or physical health issues, such as: depression and anxiety; mental illness; adjustment to physical illness; neurological disorders; addictive behaviours; challenging behaviours; eating disorders; personal and family relationship problems; learning disabilities.

Our subsidiary Bedford Consulting Rooms is based in the same building, accommodates health screening professionals offering professional services including health checks and medical tests. Separately, the audiologists offer hearing screening and provision of hearing aids

Our subsidiary Bedford Consulting Rooms is based in the same building, accommodates a sport physician able to address issues of MSK and sport injury with diagnostic tests and treatment such as ultrasound and joint injections.

Our subsidiary Bedford Consulting Rooms is based in the same building, accommodates yoga and Pilates practitioners. Yoga is a traditional practise accommodating controlled breathing, prescribed body positions, and meditation; a system of stretching and positional exercises derived from this discipline to promote good health, fitness, and control of the mind. Pilates: a system of exercises using special apparatus, designed to improve physical strength, flexibility, and posture, and enhance mental awareness. Tai Chi: (coming soon) an internal Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense training and its health benefits.

Our subsidiary Bedford Consulting Rooms is based in the same building, accommodates aesthetic practitioners who are fully trained to advise and address client's facial aesthetic concerns

Our subsidiary Bedford Consulting Rooms is based in the same building, accommodates Intense Pulsed Light process that has been clinically proven to permanently* reduce hair growth. The procedure quickly and efficiently eliminates hair from all parts of the body and face and is suitable for virtually all hair and skin types, including dark-skinned clients. The process uses the energy from a light source, which is taken up by the pigments in the skin, hair and blood vessels. The hair is removed by using the light to generate heat in the melanin in the hair, which is transferred to the hair follicle (root) to destroy it. Unlike electrolysis the treatment is non-invasive with no down-time or after effects and is relatively pain-free with some clients experiencing only a slight tingly sensation.

Our subsidiary Bedford Consulting Rooms is based in the same building, accommodates a Speech and Language Therapist. This area of expertise specifically looks at helping adults and children with speaking, pronunciation and swallowing issues. The therapist may provide specific exercises for the individual, that are tailored to the issue at hand. It is a long established intervention, and our therapist is fully degree level qualified with broad experience within the field, with full indemnity.

Our subsidiary Bedford Consulting Rooms is based in the same building, accommodates experienced massage therapists, who are able to work with muscular, sporting and general wellbeing needs.

Our subsidiary Bedford Consulting Rooms is based in the same building, accommodates a physiotherapist with a special interest in pelvic health, helping clients to improve their pelvic floor function, be it to improve post-operative recovery, help with bowel and bladder control, or continence, helping both men and women, fully regulated and insured practitioners.

Our subsidiary Bedford Consulting Rooms is based in the same building, accommodates career and life coaches, who help people to make the most of their skills, plan out training and development, and to find their way through complex or unclear paths.