I qualified as an acupuncturist in 2003 after completing three years of training at The Northern College of Acupuncture in York.
I received a Master of Science in Acupuncture with distinction from The University of Wales in 2004. As part of my MSc project, I carried out a small trial of acupuncture treatment for insomnia. In 2005, I received a National Research Excellence Award for this research project.
I’m a committed researcher and educator with a long history of making significant contributions to acupuncture research and teaching, both nationally and internationally.
I’m the co-author of a best-selling textbook on acupuncture for fertility and IVF, which was published by Elsevier in 2014.
I work in three busy acupuncture clinics in Cambridge (Impington), Godmanchester and London.
Although acupuncture was originally based on Traditional Chinese Medicine, the advances in research provided scientific evidence and a new understanding of how acupuncture works for a wide variety of health conditions.
As a result, acupuncture is one of the most researched and recommended medical modalities:
Research on the safety of acupuncture involving 10.5 million treatments demonstrated that acupuncture is one of the safest forms of medicine.
Common side-effects include minor bleeding or bruising, tiredness and temporary aggravation of symptoms. The rate of serious adverse events has been shown to be 0.00011%.
The positive effects of acupuncture have been demonstrated to last for up to two years in recent high-quality research trials.
Acupuncture is one of the most effective treatments for back pain. Research studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can be beneficial for patients with chronic or acute back pain. Some research has shown that acupuncture works better than paracetamol, physiotherapy or massage and that it is likely to work faster than other treatments.
It can be used to treat pain and improve mobility in patients with sciatica, lumbar disc herniation, or even chronic low back pain.
Acupuncture can also help relieve upper back and shoulders tension.
It can be combined with tuina massage where gentle pressure is applied to acupuncture points.
In their 2021 chronic pain guidelines, The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommend that patients suffering from chronic pain should be offered a course of acupuncture.
This recommendation is based on an overwhelming body of scientific evidence demonstrating acupuncture effectiveness in relieving chronic pain, including neck pain, muscular pain and joint problems.
Headaches and migraines affect every aspect of the sufferer’s life. Medical treatment options are limited, can be addictive, and in many cases are not effective.
Acupuncture is recognised as an effective therapy for the prophylaxis of headaches and migraines. In their 2012 guidelines, “Headaches in over 12s: diagnosis and management”, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommend a course of up to 10 acupuncture sessions for the prophylactic treatment of chronic tension-type headaches and migraines.
If you suffer from headaches or migraines, book an appointment to discuss how acupuncture can help you.
We are currently going through a time of great stress and tension. As a result, levels of stress and anxiety have skyrocketed. It is estimated that 1 in 6 of us experience mental health problems. According to www.england.nhs.uk, the rates of depression have doubled since the start of the pandemic.
Acupuncture may be a helpful addition to conventional Western medicine mental health treatments such as talking therapies or pharmacological treatments. It can also be an effective stand-alone treatment option for mild to moderate depression and anxiety.
Research shows that stimulation of specific acupuncture points leads to positive changes in the factors associated with stress, anxiety and depression, such as:
If you are suffering from increased levels of stress, anxiety or depression, reach out to see if acupuncture can help.
Acupuncture is an effective treatment for insomnia. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 randomised controlled trials published in the Sleep Medicine journal (2021) found that acupuncture significantly improved sleep quality and quantity. Acupuncture also reduced the time it takes to fall asleep and the number of awakening episodes per night.
Another meta-analysis published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine (2021) analysed 24 randomised controlled trials and concluded that a course of acupuncture significantly improves symptoms of insomnia compared to pharmacological treatments.
Acupuncture is increasingly being recommended to help women experiencing menopausal issues.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises that acupuncture can be effective in helping relieve hot flushes and night sweats while also reducing anxiety and depression associated with menopause.
If you are experiencing menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, or a change in your mood or cognition and they are affecting your personal or professional quality of life, book an initial acupuncture consultation to discuss how it can help you.
Cancer patients can experience a number of unwanted chemotherapy or radiotherapy-induced side effects such as nausea, fatigue, lowered immune system, hot flushes and pain. Cancer treatment is also incredibly stressful.
Acupuncture is often recommended for helping to manage these symptoms and improve cancer patients’ quality of life.
If you are experiencing cancer treatment-induced side effects, get in touch with me to see if acupuncture can help reduce their severity.
Research shows that acupuncture can help improve natural fertility and increase IVF success rates. Acupuncture improves fertility by:
I have been specialising in fertility acupuncture for almost 20 years during which time I have worked with hundreds of patients. I also teach at undergraduate and postgraduate levels nationally and internationally and have co-authored a textbook published by Elsevier on the subject of acupuncture for fertility and IVF.
Click here to find out more or to book your initial fertility acupuncture consultation.
Acupuncture can help reduce the severity of pregnancy symptoms, including nausea and vomiting, stress and anxiety, lower back and pelvic discomfort, and sleeplessness.
The updated draft 2021 The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommend acupressure to help women suffering from nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
Acupuncture can also reduce the severity of back pain, depression and sleeping difficulties.
Acupuncture can be used to help you prepare for labour. I can teach you and your birth partner how to perform self-acupressure to ease pain during childbirth.
Free Initial Consultations (by phone or video)
Acupuncture can help with a variety of ailments, as described above. If your issue isn’t listed and you aren’t sure whether or not acupuncture can help you, I offer a 15-minute free initial consultation to discuss if and how acupuncture may help you. You may make an appointment online using my website.
Alternatively, you may email me at irina@cam-therapies.co.uk, briefly describe your symptoms and I will get back to you.
Acupuncture Initial Appointment (face to face)
You may schedule your first acupuncture treatment at any time through my website by simply clicking the “Book Now” button. Alternatively, call 01223510611.
The initial appointment usually involves a comprehensive evaluation, treatment planning, and your first acupuncture treatment.
The first consultation and treatment fee is £79.
Follow up appointments fee is £69.
For a complete fee schedule, please visit my website.
If you have medical insurance cover, I may be able to get the cost of your acupuncture treatment reimbursed directly from your insurance provider.
It’s important that you check with your insurer to see if acupuncture is covered under your insurance plan. Please provide your claim details before your initial appointment.
If you need to cancel your appointment, please contact me at least 24 hours in advance.
I do not prescribe Chinese herbal medicine. However, should you wish to have Chinese herbs to supplement your treatment, I have a close working relationship with several Chinese herbal medicine providers and can help you get a prescription.
Acupuncture needles are only slightly thicker than a human hair. So, most people find acupuncture very comfortable.
CAM Therapies
74 Cambridge Road
Impington
Cambridge
CB24 9NU
My Cambridge acupuncture clinic is based in Impington (North Cambridge), a 10-minute drive from Cambridge city centre.
