Acupuncture in Reading

Karolina Garlicka, Acupuncturist & Reflexologist in Reading

I specialise in providing personalised acupuncture and reflexology treatments designed to help you cultivate optimum health and wellness.

Are you struggling with fertility issues, grappling with anxiety, or living with chronic pain? Are stress and insomnia disrupting your life?

My aim is to help restore balance, promote natural healing, and rejuvenate your body and mind. I believe in an integrative approach to health and wellbeing, combining ancient traditional practices with modern scientific understanding.

My expertise in acupuncture is complemented by a passion for reflexology, which together offer a powerful and holistic treatment regimen. My acupuncture clinic in Reading is founded on the principles of compassion, integrity, and professionalism, and I’m dedicated to providing personalised care in a welcoming and soothing environment.

I combine my training to give you the best of both worlds. I use the Chinese Medicine approach to tailor treatment according to your signs and symptoms, and I also take into account all your western medical results to support your treatment. I hold a BSc Degree in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture from Kingston University.

I include nutritional and lifestyle advice if needed. I am on this journey with you.

Learn more about the acupuncture and reflexology services I provide in Reading and discover how we can guide you on your journey to better health and tranquillity.

Treatments at my acupuncture clinic in Reading

What can acupuncture be used for?

Acupuncture is used for a wide variety of health conditions. Some of the more commonly treated conditions include chronic pain, migraines, tension headaches, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, postoperative pain, asthma, stroke rehabilitation, menstrual cramps, carpal tunnel syndrome, and more. It’s also often used for stress management and overall wellness.

What are the benefits of acupuncture?

Many people use acupuncture to relieve a variety of ailments. The benefits of acupuncture can vary widely depending on the condition being treated, but some of the more common benefits include:

Chronic Pain Relief

Acupuncture has been studied extensively for its role in managing various forms of chronic pain. For example, a systematic review published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2012 found that acupuncture was effective for the treatment of chronic pain, including back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, and chronic headaches. The study concluded that acupuncture is a reasonable referral option for patients with chronic pain.

Reduced Migraines and Headaches

Acupuncture can be effective in preventing migraines and tension headaches. A Cochrane review of 22 trials involving 4985 people in total showed that acupuncture could reduce the frequency of headaches in individuals with frequent migraines.

Mental Health Support

Acupuncture can play a supportive role in managing mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some studies suggest that acupuncture may stimulate the production of endorphins and serotonin, natural mood boosters, in the brain.

Management of Menopausal Symptoms

Some women find relief from menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and insomnia through acupuncture treatment.

Support for Sleep Disorders

Some research suggests that acupuncture can be beneficial in treating sleep disorders such as insomnia, possibly by affecting the production of neurotransmitters that influence sleep cycles.

Improved Digestion

Acupuncture may help regulate digestive function and alleviate symptoms associated with gastrointestinal disorders. This can include conditions such as chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and acid reflux disease.

Reduced Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

Acupuncture may reduce pain and improve physical function in patients suffering from osteoarthritis, particularly osteoarthritis of the knee.

While these are potential benefits, it’s important to note that individual responses to acupuncture can vary, and effectiveness can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the specific health conditions being addressed, and the overall health and lifestyle of the patient.

The history of acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient form of medicine that originated in China over 2,000 years ago, and it is one of the oldest and most commonly used systems of healing in the world. Many ancient Chinese texts, including the “Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon” dating from around 100 BC, discuss the use of acupuncture for a variety of health conditions.

Traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, is based on an energetic model rather than the biochemical model of Western medicine. The ancient Chinese proposed that energy, or “Qi” (pronounced “chee”), circulates throughout the body along specific pathways, or “meridians”. Health is achieved when one’s Qi is in balance, and disease or illness represents an imbalance in one’s Qi.

Is acupuncture safe?

When performed by a trained, competent practitioner, acupuncture is generally considered safe. However, like any medical procedure, it can have risks. The most common side effects include soreness, minor bleeding, or bruising at the sites where the needles are inserted. Serious complications are rare but can include infections or punctured organs.

What does acupuncture involve?

During an acupuncture session, the practitioner will first carry out a physical examination and inquire about your health history. They will focus on your pulse and the shape, colour, and coating of your tongue. This is because, in traditional Chinese medicine, these are important indicators of your overall health and energy flow.

After assessing your condition, the acupuncturist will insert thin, sterilised needles into specific points along your body’s meridians. These needles are typically left in place for up to 30 minutes. Most people feel minimal discomfort when the needles are inserted. Once the needles are in place, you might feel a mild tingling or a sensation of fullness, which is generally regarded as the Qi being activated.

After the needles are removed, some people feel energised, while others feel relaxed. The number of treatments needed depends on the individual and the condition being treated – acute issues may resolve after one or two sessions, while chronic conditions may require multiple treatments over several weeks or months.

Acupuncture for fertility

You are not alone, currently 1 in 7 couples are struggling to conceive, either trying naturally or through IVF.

The journey to becoming parents is not easy for many people. I am a trained fertility support acupuncturist, and I want to be with you on this journey by getting your mind and body into optimal health to become parents. I care about your fertility as much as you do.

Because of this, I offer a range of ‘acupuncture for fertility’ services. These include:

IVF Assistance: If you are struggling to conceive with IVF, acupuncture treatment might be able to help. I offer treatment for males and females, with treatment tailored to both genders. This will give you the best chance of conceiving.

PCOS: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) means having longer menstrual cycles, ovulating later than day 14-20, or even a lack of ovulation. You may also experience insulin resistance, which can cause issues with ovulation and potentially higher levels of male hormones. This can make it harder for you to get pregnant. Women who suffer with PCOS and are going through IVF are at higher risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). Acupuncture may help with the side effects of OHSS.

Turning Breech Babies: This procedure will ensure that your baby’s head is facing the right way when it is time to give birth.

Painful Periods, Endometriosis: I can help you overcome the heavier bleeding on your period as well as try to manage pain.

Acupuncture has been increasingly recognised for its potential benefits in the realm of fertility and In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) support. More high-quality, larger-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings. Here’s what we know so far:

Acupuncture may enhance fertility by regulating hormones. Acupuncture may influence the release of neurotransmitters, which could in turn affect the release of reproductive hormones that control ovulation. Acupuncture might also help to increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, which can aid in the development of the uterine lining and follicles, and in the process of ovulation.

Chronic stress can impact fertility. Acupuncture has been shown to have a calming effect on the nervous system, which might help to reduce stress hormone levels.

There is some evidence that acupuncture could improve the success rates of IVF. Potential benefits include Improving Embryo Implantation. Some research suggests that acupuncture might help to increase blood flow to the uterus, which could enhance the chances of successful implantation during an IVF cycle. Some patients find that acupuncture can help to manage side effects from fertility drugs used during IVF, such as bloating, mood swings, and nausea.

IVF can be a highly stressful process. Acupuncture may help to reduce stress and anxiety, which in turn could potentially enhance fertility. Acupuncture should be considered a complementary therapy in the process of fertility treatment, not a substitute for traditional medical care.

Acupuncture during and after pregnancy

Acupuncture can be used throughout the duration of your pregnancy. I can support you mentally and help with symptoms like morning sickness, insomnia and lower back pain. I also offer treatments that will help you prepare for a healthy birth. I do offer post pregnancy care. Your acupuncture care shouldn’t stop when you give birth. I can help your body overcome the effects of giving birth. I can also support your mental health during this period, reducing the chance of post-natal depression.

How Does Acupuncture Improve Fertility?

There have been several studies into the efficiency of acupuncture for fertility. In one study, the British Acupuncture Council found that those who received acupuncture when undergoing IVF had a clinical pregnancy rate of 52.6 percent. This can be compared to a clinical pregnancy rate of 32.8 percent in the control group, who did not receive acupuncture treatment. This proves that acupuncture can be an effective way of boosting your fertility.

There are several ways in which acupuncture treatment can increase your chances of getting pregnant. Firstly, acupuncture can stimulate blood flow to your uterus, which in turn, can improve the thickness of the endometrial lining. This increases the chances of a successful embryo implantation.

Acupuncture may also help to regulate your fertility hormones. Acupuncture can help to reduce your stress levels, strengthen your immune system, and control your pain by stimulating the release of beta-endorphins. In the male, acupuncture can help ensure that healthy sperm are produced.

First session: acupuncture in Reading

In my first session with you, I will ask about your current efforts to conceive. I will take full details of your medical history, and will ask you questions about your lifestyle, nutrition and stress levels.

All questions are carefully designed to help me to diagnose you in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine. You may feel that some of the questions are irrelevant and quite intimate, but I need to ensure I do not miss anything. When you come in for your consultation, please bring in any information you may have about any medical conditions that affect you, and also any blood test results.

I may recommend diagnostic tests, such as hormone checks – if needed these will need to be done at a certain time in your cycle.

I may also recommend practitioners for Western medical treatments like nutritional support, endocrinology, or urology. I only recommend practitioners, doctors and therapists who specialise in fertility and gynaecology. I choose them carefully as I have your best interests at heart, and want you to be successful in your quest to become parents.

I am the only fertility acupuncturist in the Reading area that holds a Diploma in Advanced Fertility from renowned lecturer Naava Carmen.