ZEN•6 Acupuncture Highgate

🎾 If “too much padel” isn’t really in your vocabulary… this one’s for you.

💪 Padel places high rotational and overhead demand on the upper back, often leading to tightness through the traps and scapular region.

🌿 Gua sha was used here to support local circulation and reduce post-session muscle tension. The visible “sha” is a normal response and typically settles within a few days.

Gua sha is often used alongside acupuncture during a recovery treatment. To find out more or to see if acupuncture can help you, please get in touch!

If you visit the clinic this May, you may notice the garden is a little less maintained than usual! 🌱

For the last couple of years I have taken part in No Mow May, an initiative that encourages people to avoid mowing lawns during May to help support bees, insects and local biodiversity. I love watching my mini meadow grow!

It also serves as a gentle reminder that balance allows things to thrive.

🪡 What science is discovering about acupuncture & pain

Acupuncture has been used for pain management for centuries. Recent research is now helping scientists understand *how* it may influence pain pathways in the body.

A feature published by National Geographic explores emerging evidence suggesting acupuncture may support pain relief through measurable biological processes.

🔬 Research discussed in the article suggests that acupuncture may:

• Stimulate connective tissue and immune responses
• Encourage the release of the body’s own pain-modulating chemicals (such as adenosine)
• Influence how pain signals are processed by the nervous system
• Be associated with longer-lasting pain relief compared with sham acupuncture in some studies

💡Why this is interesting:

These findings support the idea that acupuncture may play a role as a non-drug, supportive approach to pain management, particularly when used alongside appropriate medical care.

📖 Read the full article here:

Scientists are finally decoding how acupuncture eases pain https://www.nationalgeographic.com/health/article/acupuncture-evidence-pain-management

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After six months of ZEN•6, I’ve noticed two patterns come up again and again in clinic:
• people seeking support with menopause related symptoms
• active people experiencing sports related pain or injury

I also regularly see people with TMJ, irregular or painful periods, headaches and stress-related tension.

Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual, based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Appointments are available now for new clients- to find out if acupuncture is right for you, please contact me: [email protected]

🎾 Sidelined from padel by a fractured ankle and grade 2 ligament sprain, I focused on how best to ‘ace my recovery’. Here’s how I got back on court in under 6 weeks, combining physio, Traditional Chinese Medicine and good nutrition.

🦑 Managing swelling early on was key. My physio used lymphatic taping to help support circulation and reduce fluid build up.

🍲 Recovery isn’t just external. Eating protein rich foods and nourishing bone broths supported my body’s healing from the inside.

🪡 Electro acupuncture by helped stimulate circulation, moving Qi and blood through the local channels and supporting the body’s natural healing.

🔥 Heat therapy from an infrared lamp warmed the local area, encouraging blood flow and supporting tissue repair.

💪🏼 Using these, alongside physio exercises for mobility and balance, allowed me to get back on court feeling strong, in under 6 weeks. My goal had been to play on a weekend padel trip in any capacity- I managed all 15 hours!

✨ Recovering from this injury showed me the difference the right support can make for any player wanting to move well, prevent injuries and play at their best throughout the season- and has inspired my Ace Your Recovery programme, designed not only for injuries, but for:

• Padel and tennis related aches
• Muscle tightness and overuse
• Recovery between games
• General musculoskeletal wellbeing

Always happy to help clients return to the sport they enjoy! 🎾

Often people say they’ve tried dry needling for muscle pain… but did you know acupuncture needles can be used for a much wider range of conditions?

Here are just some of those that I’ve seen in the past year in practice.

🌀 Pain & Musculoskeletal issues

🌸 Women’s Health & Hormones

💆 Mental & Emotional Health

🌙 Sleep & Energy

🌿 General Wellbeing

✨Acupuncture works by supporting the body’s own healing processes, calming the nervous system and restoring balance. So while muscle tension is one common reason people try it, the potential benefits extend far beyond that!