Caroline Shepherdson B.Sc, M.Sc, Lic.Ac

Five Element Acupuncture

In May 2007 I qualified as a practitioner (SOFEA - School of Five Element Acupuncture) having also gained a qualification as a NADA (auricular) practitioner (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) helping those facing problems with addiction. I have recently trained at The College of Traditional Acupuncture in Warwickshire using facial revitalisation techniques. At the heart of five element practice lies an understanding that the many physical ailments our society suffers from are often as much the product of emotional distress as of any physical cause. In many cases, they can only fully be alleviated when these inner stresses are addressed. Each branch of acupuncture has its own approach to diagnosis. In five element acupuncture, diagnosis is based upon an understanding that each one of us has a particular relationship with one element, or our guardian element - these being Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. This element gives our life a certain emphasis or quality, making some of us more determined or anxious, serious or light-hearted. It is this element which takes the brunt of the stress we are suffering, revealing its unease through physical and emotional signs of imbalance.

It is the role and responsibility of a five element practitioner to learn to detect where these imbalances lie, and more importantly, from where they arise! We learn to develop the sensory skills of seeing, hearing, smelling, touching and feeling - skills we are borne with but rarely use in the modern world.

During the initial consultation, I discuss your symptoms, diet, lifestyle, family history, medical history and any other relevant information including your own expectations of treatment. This initial session, which includes a diagnosis and some very simple physical tests (such as checking your blood pressure, pulses and left/right balance) can take up to 2 hours.

Diagnosis also continues through each subsequent treatment (between 45 minutes to 1 hour) and depending on your symptoms, are recommended to be weekly at first and becoming less frequent over time.

During my clinical year in college I treated patients coming to me with a number of conditions including those with:

asthma,
eczema
eating disorders
low self-esteem
low energy and low libido
stress
anxiety
joint problems


I'm looking forward to establishing a regular clinic at The Harmony Centre and meeting some new faces along the way.I hope to be working mainly in the evenings and at weekends initially with a view to increasing my involvement with The Centre as time (and hopefully my new career) progresses.

Mobile: 07785 322859
Email: Caroline.Shepherdson@educ.suffolkcc.gov.uk

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Tel: +44 (0) 1986 784500 Fax: +44 (0) 1986 784711
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info@theharmonycentre.com

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