Julia Davies, Ballet Performer (Sadler’s Wells, ENO, Bolshoi): “I first saw Mark for acupuncture in 2011 to treat a chronic long-term dance injury, and I now also go for massage too. Being a professional dancer it is so important to have treatment with someone who you trust and I always so much better after a … Read more
Gua Sha research looking at this traditional treatment method that involves pressured strokes being applied to lubricated skin to produce petechiae Gua sha research took off with one of the first western scientific studies of gua sha at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Essen. A small sample (eleven) of “healthy but stressed” doctors and nurses … Read more
SCENT OF AN APPLE A study in Chicago found that people with migraines who sniffed the scent of a green apple reported a drop in pain levels. The theory is that the smell might reduce muscle contractions in the head and neck. WRITING NUMBERS WITH YOUR NOSE This is a simple pilates exercise that aims … Read more
PHONE POSTURE An average head weighs 10-12lbs, but poor postrure that is common when sending and reading text messages and emails on a phone means that the force exerted on the neck and spine can reach 60lbs. This can lead to Cervicogenic headaches and even to a condition called Occipital Neuralgia, which involves inflammation of … Read more
TIGHT PONYTAILS A study at the City of London Migraine Clinic has found that a high percentage of women can suffer headaches as a result of pulling their hair tight in a ponytail. The hypothesis is that this can strain and irritate connective tissue in the scalp. So maybe reconsider how you wear your hair … Read more
We are approaching the Chinese New Year. This takes place on Monday 8 February, and so will begin the year of the Monkey. The organised celebrations here in London are the largest outside of China itself, and they are taking place on the following Sunday. They commence with the annual parade at 10.00 in the … Read more
Actress Alice Bird (‘Notes on a Scandal’, ‘Footballer’s Wives: Extra Time’, ‘I’m in the Corner with the Bluebells’) first came to see me for acupuncture four years ago at the end of a particularly arduous shoot. While having no specific problem at the time, she was eager to look after herself and to fortify her … Read more
As followers of my blog will know, the Greenwich Natural Health Centre has been sponsoring the training of a guide dog called Cally. I received an update over the weekend that she has now moved onto advanced training and that she has been matched with her new owner. The next step is for them to … Read more
“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” Epictetus (first century Stoicist philosopher)