Kerry Wratten Acupuncture
Located within: Nine Springs Natural Health Centre, Yeovil. BA22 1UR
T: 01935 422488 or 07901 730897
Explore Our Range of Acupuncture Services
Acupuncture treatment focuses on the causes of disease as well as the symptoms. For example, we treat the root cause of the pain rather than just providing pain relief. By addressing the underlying problem, we aim to prevent future recurrences rather than merely suppressing symptoms. As a positive side effect, treatment can also boost the immune system and increase levels of energy and well-being. It can also be extremely helpful in moderating the side effects of medication.
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Not sure if acupuncture can help you? Contact Kerry to book a free 15 minute phone call​​.​
Acupuncture for Pain Relief and Management
​​​Acupuncture is well known as a treatment for musculo-skeletal issues such as muscle tension and joint problems. In fact, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines recommend it as a treatment for lower back pain and tension type headaches. Through controlled trials, the World Health Organisation has concluded that acupuncture is effective in treating a large number of conditions including neck pain, lower back pain, knee pain, sciatica and more. Acupuncture treatment aims to reduce pain by stimulating blood circulation to the area and relaxing muscle spasm in order to restore mobility.
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In general, acupuncture is believed to stimulate the nervous system and cause the release of neurochemical messenger molecules. The resulting biochemical changes influence the body's homeostatic mechanisms, thus promoting physical and emotional well-being. Stimulation of certain acupuncture points has been shown to affect areas of the brain that are known to reduce sensitivity to pain and stress, as well as promoting relaxation and healing.
When seeing Kerry for pain management your treatment plan is formulated to fit your unique circumstances. Kerry will combine techniques from a full range of treatment modalities alongside acupuncture to give you the best possible treatment. This may include trigger point therapy, either manual or using needles; electro-acupuncture, considered especially useful in chronic pain syndromes; massage to aid muscle relaxation and release; sports taping to enhance blood, energy (Qi) and lymph flow; or herbal ointments to help stimulate muscle relaxation and repair.
Acupuncture Stress and Anxiety
​​Anxiety comes in many forms, from generalised anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and phobias, to depression and post traumatic stress. Unfortunately, people often suffer in silence, as over two thirds of the estimated three million UK sufferers fail to seek treatment.
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The symptoms of anxiety are varied and include restlessness, rapid heartbeat, upset stomach, difficulty concentrating, headache, irritability, mood swings, insomnia, depression, extreme fatigue, sweating, and muscle tension. It’s been said that nearly a third of the world’s population will suffer from symptoms of anxiety at least once in their lifetime, regardless of their gender, age, or stage of life.
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In general, acupuncture is believed to stimulate the nervous system and cause the release of neurochemical messenger molecules in the brain. The resulting biochemical changes influence the body's homeostatic mechanisms, thus promoting physical and emotional well-being and long term recovery. Research has shown that acupuncture treatment may benefit anxiety disorders by acting on areas of the brain known to reduce sensitivity to pain and stress, as well as by promoting relaxation and deactivating the 'analytical' brain, which is responsible for anxiety and worry.
When coming for acupuncture treatment with Kerry your treatment plan is formulated to fit your unique circumstances. You will be supported and guided through dietary and lifestyle advice.
Kerry might advocate using gentle yet strongly nurturing exercises such as Tai Chi or Yoga and she may recommend meditation or mindful exercises to help maintain your healing journey outside of the clinic.​
Acupuncture for Fertility and IVF
Research has shown that acupuncture may help regulate menstrual cycles, improve blood flow to the reproductive organs, balance hormones and counteract the effects of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). It can be used to enhance functioning of the whole body, calm anxiety, and improve overall wellbeing, therefore improving your chances of natural conception.
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Many clinical trials to date suggest that acupuncture may be useful in the embryo transfer stage of in vitro fertilisation, resulting in an increased pregnancy rate and a greater number of live births. Acupuncture may help in the treatment of infertility by regulating hormones, increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs, improving the thickness of the endometrial lining, increasing the chances of embryo implantation, increasing egg production and oocyte quality, increasing the chance of fertilisation, enhancing luteal function, regulating follicle stimulation hormone-receptor expression, normalising cortisol and prolactin levels on IVF medication days, and reducing stress and promoting embryo implantation.
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Kerry’s holistic approach looks not only at the medical side of your fertility, but also at other areas of your life that may be having an impact on your ability to conceive naturally. Generally busy lifestyles, lack of understanding about fertility awareness, poor diet, over exercising, lack of sleep, or stress have a significant detrimental effect on your ability to conceive.
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Kerry works with you on creating a personalised fertility plan, pulling all the strands together and giving you the best opportunity of becoming pregnant, whether naturally or through assisted reproduction.​
Acupuncture During Pregnancy
​Acupuncture treatment is ideally suited to pregnancy and can be used safely to resolve a range of conditions associated with pregnancy such as morning sickness, anxiety, fatigue, aching joints, back ache, migraines and headaches, breech presentation, and delayed labour. Research also shows acupuncture may help to relieve pain, improve mood and reduce anxiety and alleviate dyspepsia.
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Acupuncture can turn breech babies with an adjunct technique called moxibustion, using a herb called moxa. Research is currently underway, but previous scientific studies have found approximately 80% success rates for the turning of breech babies using this technique.
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Acupuncture can help to induce labour in overdue pregnancies. It should only be used for induction when the mother has passed her due date, and then only with the consent of the obstetric team in charge of the birth. This ensures that all medical factors are taken into account and that the appropriate facilities are in place if the treatment is successful in encouraging the natural process to start. Acupuncture treatment can occasionally have a very rapid effect, but generally speaking it may take at least a few days to work. After birth, acupuncture can be used by new mothers to increase energy levels, promote healing, and to combat the 'baby blues'. It also is very helpful in treating mastitis.
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Kerry’s experience is clear when working with you and your pregnancy, and she provides not just the physical support, but also emotional support, advice, and guidance throughout your pregnancy and beyond. Kerry may also utilise other skills and modalities, including essential oils and relaxation techniques such as meditation and mindfulness as part of your treatment plan.​​
Facial Enhancement Acupuncture (Cosmetic Acupuncture)
Facial acupuncture treatment focuses largely on points on the face but also points on the arms and legs which help rebalance any internal disharmonies and treats the person on a holistic basis – body, mind and emotions. By encouraging the production of collagen, facial acupuncture can help to minimise fine lines and wrinkles, increase elasticity, and improve your complexion by plumping, toning, and firming the skin. This process leaves you looking and feeling more confident and comfortable in your own skin. Once we feel good about ourselves, many things change for the better.
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The Treatment:
An initial consultation is taken in much the same way as for acupuncture and each course of Facial Acupuncture and advice is formulated according to your circumstances. A course of treatment generally consists of 10 to 12 treatments, ideally a week or two apart. Each person responds differently, depending on life events and lifestyle prior to treatment. Following the initial course of treatment, maintenance sessions help prolong the results.
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Advice may be given relating to facial massage, acupressure and a healthy diet to further enhance treatment effects.
A treatment will involve the use of very fine, single-use, pre-sterilised, disposable needles at points and muscles in the face and also used on specific points on the arms and legs in order to treat the face and rebalance the person. This is followed by applying gentle guasha to the face and neck and a facial massage.
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Further detail can be found at the Cosmetic Acupuncture UK website.​
Acupuncture is often combined with other Chinese Medical techniques; combinations of which can enhance clinical results and speed recovery.
MOXIBUSTION
Heat is applied to an acupuncture point or area using the herb moxa to warm and relax muscles and move energy
TUI NA
Chinese therapeutic massage is used to relieve muscle tension and stimulate acupressure points
CUPPING
Glass cups with a vacuum seal are placed onto the skin to stimulate blood flow and clear stagnant energy
GUA SHA
Gentle rubbing and scraping of the skin is used to increase blood flow and clear stagnant energy