How does Acupuncture work?

This post will give you some information about acupuncture, including an explanation of how it works. It will explain some terminology that may be new and unfamiliar to you, as well as answering some commonly asked questions.

What is Acupuncture?

Originating in China over 3000 years ago, acupuncture is one aspect of a therapeutic treatment system within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is used to treat illness and disease and support physical and/or psychological health and wellbeing. The philosophical principles that underpin acupuncture/TCM can be thought of as a system, in which all things including us, function in relation to each other. TCM views everything from the premise that all things are in a ‘continuous process of natural change’. It is this ever-changing nature, of ourselves and the world around us, that at times produces what TCM understands as a pattern of imbalance within the body. Acupuncture is used to address this, to bring the body back to a state of balance and well-being – what Western doctors/biologists describe as homeostasis: a state of equilibrium.

How does Acupuncture work?

Western medicine understands acupuncture differently from practitioners trained in TCM. In Western medicine, it is often explained in reference to pain relief, as recognised by NICE. Here, the insertion of needles ‘involves stimulating sensory nerves under the skin and in the muscles, resulting in the body producing natural substances such as pain-relieving endorphins’ (NHS). However, TCM has an alternative understanding of what effect the needles have on the body – this is based upon the needles influencing the flow of an entity called Qi, pronounced chee. Qi is often interpreted as ‘energy’ or ‘life force’. An interesting way of understanding Qi is proposed by Dr Daniel Keown, a Western medical doctor and acupuncturist. He explains that AC/DC (not the rock band) electrical currents flowing throughout the body ‘is in effect an interconnected, living electrical web’. It is this medically recognised ‘web’, that he suggests forms the acupuncture channels and Qi.

Why is Qi so important?

Optimal health is founded upon Qi being allowed to flow freely throughout the body. In simplified terms, when a health problem arises, the flow of Qi is hindered. Let us again look at pain as an example: when somebody is in pain, TCM understands this as ‘blocked’ Qi. It is this ‘blockage’ that is the root of the problem. A traditional acupuncturist will select specific points on the body to needle in order to encourage the blocked Qi to flow freely again. This will support the body to return to a state of positive health and in this instance, manage the levels of pain.

Is it Safe?

From a Western viewpoint, acupuncture is increasingly accepted as ‘a safe and effective clinical practice’ (Hammerschiag, et al, 2007). Research via clinical trails is growing, consequently ‘the risks associated with acupuncture can be classified as negligible, and acupuncture is a very safe treatment in the hands of competent practitioners’ (White, 2006), especially when treatment is sought from practitioners with degree level qualification and insurance.

Interested in finding out more?

Get in touch with Duey by phone or email

A couple of accessible reads written with the lay-person in mind:

• Live Well Live Long: Teachings from the Chinese Nourishment of Life Tradition by Peter Deadman

• The Spark in the Machine by Dr Daniel Keown

References:

MacPherson, H., Hammerschlag, R., Lewith, G, T., & Schnyer, R, N. ed. (2007) Acupuncture Research: Strategies for Establishing an Evidence Base. Elsevier Health Sciences

White, A. (2006) The safety of acupuncture – evidence from the UK. Acupuncture in Medicine, 24(Suppl), 53–57. https://doi.org/10.1136/aim.24.Suppl.53

We are Award Winning!

We've only gone and won the Northern Enterprise award for Best Health Services & Yoga for Greater Manchester 2022!

This just keeps getting better and better! We were informed we’d been nominated back in August and were ask if we’d like to provide supporting information but never in our wildest dreams did we think we’d actually win! Such a wonderful surprise and thank you so so much to whoever put us forward for the award. This is HUGE for us and we’re over the moon!

To be awarded, there must be evidence of expertise; dedication to client service, satisfaction and retention; and an on-going commitment to providing excellence.

So proud of our ethos to always practice and teach with integrity and to always welcome everyone through our doors. This is the foundation of Nurture and will never be compromised.

Despite the tough times of the past 3 years, we are loving every minute of realising this dream and it continues to inspire and surprise us every day! It keeps us on our toes

None of it would be possible without our wonderful community and our incredible team so all our gratitude to every single one of you!

This is an old photo, taken when we were giddy over opening our doors for the very first time back in November 2019 but it perfectly sums up our current mood!

Shelagh & Sophie x

Common Myths About Counselling

Hi, I’m Kerry, a counsellor at Nurture, and I just wanted to talk about a few things that might

cross your mind if you are considering counselling. Perhaps the idea of counselling feels a little

daunting, so this post might help demystify the process.

Firstly, it feels important to mention that there are different approaches to counselling, which you

may have heard of before, such as person-centred, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and

psychodynamic, to name a few.

My approach to counselling is Person-Centred which is humanistic. In a nutshell, person-

centred counselling is a holistic talking therapy which focuses on the whole person, not just the

symptoms. Person-Centred counselling puts the trust in the client that they know, deep down,

what is best for them.

With that said, I am writing this from a person-centred perspective. So, here are some thoughts

people may experience before beginning counselling:

1. I might be judged

This is quite a common worry, and it might feel quite intimidating to sit with your counsellor and

wonder what they’re thinking, but rest assured your counsellor is not there to judge you and will

aim to be totally authentic and transparent and put you at ease so you can build a trusting

relationship together. Remember, there is no right or wrong way in counselling, and what you

choose to bring is totally okay; whether you feel you want to talk, whether you are silent, all of it

is okay. Trust the process. Hopefully, you will experience a feeling of warmth, respect and

safety with your counsellor, so you feel able to bring all aspects of yourself to the counselling

space. From a person-centred perspective, the counsellor’s motive is to be with you, alongside

you, they are not there to analyse you. They are there to assist you in working things out for

yourself, at the pace you set. This is your space for you to use how you want to.

2. What if I uncover things I’m not ready for?

It is natural to feel a little resistance when opening up about your experiences and feelings,

especially if you are saying them out loud for the first time.

Your counsellor should be sensitive to this and will not pressurise you to explore anything you

don’t want to. I suppose in some ways, your counsellor offers you a mirror, to allow you to be

curious and look at yourself from different perspectives. They won’t introduce anything new or

jump to conclusions, they will perhaps help you to notice things you are bringing to the

counselling room in a gentle and tentative manner. Most importantly the counselling process is

at your pace; just as a butterfly will break out of its cocoon when it is ready. Nobody can force or

hurry that process along, it is a natural unfolding. Ok, perhaps at times it may feel challenging,

but more often than not, there can be a feeling of relief and a weight lifted.

Does counselling mean I can’t cope?

Some people may feel having counselling is a sign that they are not coping, but it is quite the

opposite. Firstly, I think it could feel quite difficult to reach out and ask for help, so it is a rather

courageous move. Secondly, I believe, it is an act of self-care and love to prioritise your needs

and wellbeing, so well done!

Also, we can sometimes tie ourselves in knots when we have thoughts whirring around our

heads with nowhere for them to go. Often, just being able to share your thoughts and feelings

and allow them to be heard and felt can help you to gain a sense of relief, clarity, and

movement. Often, the counselling process can help you to feel empowered and gain a deeper

understanding of yourself which can have a positive impact on your daily life.

So, if you’re thinking about counselling then I hope this has helped a little in knowing what to

expect from person-centred therapy.

Sutras Series - Santosha

A Lesson for Summer from Patanjali!

The sutras, one of the most ancient yogic texts written around 500bc describe the 8 limbs of yoga or, our path to enlightenment.

The second of those 8 limbs, the Niyamas are five disciplines we're encouraged to cultivate to nurture our own mind, body and spirit. So we can enjoy health and wellbeing but also so we're able to show up for others. The second of these niyamas is Santosha or, Contentment.

By practicing Santosha, we develop a gentle acceptance of ourselves exactly as we are. We stop pushing, stop chasing, stop criticising ourselves or trying to change our past or our future. We begin to settle into a feeling of calm contentment - a comfort in the present moment.

Summer is maybe the easiest time for us to practice Santosha. The seeds we've sown, the hopes we've planted are all in full bloom. Nature is displaying her full beauty and we can sit and cherish the abundance that surrounds us. Our own energy and mood are reflective of the light and warmth that summer brings. We can sit back, enjoy the fruits of our labour and take pleasure in the present moment.

Try to take a moment to pause, explore both movement and stillness with your only intention being to settle into contentment. Explore what contentment feels like. Not pushing so far that your breath becomes unsteady, yet not feeling your practice is so easy that your mind wanders, becomes bored or restless. Just finding the middle ground, contentment in each breath or form.

Find a sensation you are happy to sit with, where your breath and your mind can be still. As nature breathes without effort - breathe with her

Join Shelagh this Saturday, 2nd July from 9am-12pm for Woodland & Wildflowers: yoga and nature bathing at Dove Stone. £30 with 20% discount for RSPB members.

ALL PROCEEDS TO RSPB Dove Stone via @themindfulwildproject to help them continue to improve our rare and beautiful Saddleworth landscape

Link to book in bio and hope to see you there

#natureheals #contentment #niyamas #patanjali #mindfulwild #wearenature #oneearth #restorethemoor #yogasaddleworth #rspb_love_nature #nature #wildflowermeadow #wildlifeconservation

Introducing Noah McKenna & The Soundmoves Yoga Method

Soundmoves uses music to help guide the rhythm of your breath and applying this simple technique revolutionises the practice and teaching of yoga and makes its deep healing effects instantly accessible.

The music is specially designed to meet the listener’s attention with carefully chosen audio elements that enhance mood and concentration.

The Soundmoves Method uses precision breathing at resonant frequency to bring multiple body systems into alignment. Breath is synchronised with carefully chosen yoga practices which optimise the benefits delivered by Resonant Frequency Breathing.

This blending of paradigms is led by a bespoke soundtrack and so it’s as simple as breathing in time with the music.

Viewed from this perspective, Soundmoves re-imagines multiple styles and the essential elements of how yoga is practiced while keeping Heart Rate Variability and Heart-Mind coherence in the foreground. The system contacts the entire body and breath while remaining oriented to the flow state using Vagal stimulation.

It might seem complex but the practice is deceptively simple, anyone can do it!

Soundmoves was developed for physical, physiological and psychological health and well-being.

Shelagh has been using this method in her own practice, teaching and clinic since training with Noah in 2020 and so can testify for how simple and wonderfully transformative it really is!

Creator of Soundmoves, Noah has worked for 20 years as a yoga teacher and therapist. He draws from experience as an integrated therapist incorporating Chiropractic, Acupuncture, body and breath work.

He has an extensive history practicing and teaching yoga including 18 years living amongst the yoga community in Mysore, India.

Therapeutically, he specialised in injury and rehabilitation and as a teacher, has trained hundreds of yoga teachers. He is fluent in the science, art and philosophy of yoga.

Watch this space for details of Soundmoves events with Noah coming to Nurture later this year – we are beyond excited for this!

#soundmoves #mindbodybreath #vagusnerve #yogasaddleworth #breathe #resonantfrequencybreath #integratedhealth

Allotment Diaries

Morning everyone, hope you’ve all been enjoying this beautiful sunny weather!

Just wanted to drop by to share the journey of our rhubarb (we are very proud of how amazing and big it grew)!

We grow our fruit and veg organically and with a no dig approach. This year was our first harvest of rhubarb and the joy it brought to our lives was wonderful.

The rhubarb was picked, the leaves were chopped off and popped in our compost bin, then the stalks were cut up into small pieces and stewed to make our own homemade stewed rhubarb (it was delicious).

To stew the rhubarb, we just added a little sugar and water to a pan and then stew the rhubarb on a low heat. Pop it on top of yogurt or your morning porridge

Let us know what you are growing in your wild spaces in the comments below, whether that is food, flowers or plants, we'd love to hear about your growing projects and the simple joy it brings to you .

Feel ALL the Feels

Just a little note to say it's totally ok and actually really healthy to feel all of your feels and to be on a continuum of fluctuating emotions! This is the nature of being human and is completely normal.

There are lots of people trying to sell you the best version of yourself, indicating it's possible to feel great all of the time. It's not! But it is possible to be completely ok with exactly what you're feeling.

Embrace the spectrum and notice how it feels when you stop trying to put on a brave face. Chances are you'll feel empowered, self aware and begin to recognise that all our emotions, as our thoughts and experiences are transient.

It can be frustrating as a yoga teacher to see the practice hijacked by wellness gurus preaching 'good vibes only' when the whole purpose of the practice is learn to sit with the inevitable discomforts of life and to learn to recognise that they come and go. To accept the present.

Thoughts and feelings come and go, naturally and at a different rate for every person as everyone's experience and perception is entirely unique. We should not try to control this process (for ourselves or others) but work on acceptance of the present, be it comfortable or uncomfortable and cultivate an environment where people are encouraged and confident to feel whatever they need to.

I was on our social media a few weeks back, quite vocal about my opinion of the 'let go of what isn't serving you' message. I guess this is a continuation of that thread. Yes, it's important to try not to ruminate and find yourself going round in circles but it's also ok to let all emotions move through you, whatever they are and whatever their pace.

We're all searching for joy but let's acknowledge that we would be unlikely to notice or appreciate it if it was our constant state. Balance is everything!

So, what's your current feeling?

Mine is grumpy mixed with excitement (opposing emotions can coexist too!). I have work to do this morning (which this post is helping me procrastinate over!) but am meeting a group of friends later I haven’t seen altogether for a very long time :( :)

If you'd like a hand exploring and recognising your own emotions, Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown and the Emotional Barometre by The School of Life are both great resources for this.

Enjoy the weekend!

#acceptance #balance #allthefeels #emotionalhealth #mindbody #integratedhealth #nurture

Yoga as Inner Work to Gain Perspective

The practice of yoga as self care is not intended only for sake of self. It is an opportunity to pause, to look inward and reflect upon the reality of a situation in order to gain perspective and so recognise we are a very small part of a greater whole. 

Practicing union of mind, body and breath helps us to restore balance, to find composure and so be less reactive. We can then learn to minimise our ego and so begin to maximise a sense of community and collectivism - connection of all things. 

Recognition that we must all work together for health and harmony. Care for ourselves, for others and for the earth. This is yoga. 

 Yoga is a practice to help us recognise the insignificance of self, the reality rather than the inflated importance our egos assign to our personal situation or circumstances. 

We all do this, our nervous systems are hardwired to sometimes blow things out of all proportion and distort our perception but if we can allow ourselves a moment of peace to connect with our breath, we activate our rest and relax response, and so can see things more clearly - exactly as they are. 

 Pause. Breathe. Respond. 

#yogasaddleworth #breatheeasy #connected #compassion #kindnessalways #tameyourego #meditation #mindbodyearth #nurturenature #nurturing #communityfirst #yogaisnotapose

The Nature Cure

So I've been really struggling with a low mood today. It's something I've battled with most of my life that can sometimes hit me seemingly from nowhere but there's usually a reason if I dig deep and reflect a little.

Today, I'm tired! I've had crap sleep all week and worked really hard. Have given a lot and don't have much energy left for myself. I also had a nesting box full of blue tits chicks last weekend but came home on Tuesday to the sound of silence and the sad realisation they haven't made it. This is nature but it sits heavy in my heart nonetheless

Usually these days I'm good at recognising the signs that I'm falling and have go to pick me ups that help to hold me up but this morning I was lacking self compassion, some old habits of unkind self talk showed up and I was in a woeful hole for much of the day.

I have some very special people in my life and this evening, one of those souls encouraged me to walk the little circuit I do from home when anything else feels like too much effort. I live very close to a beautiful woodland and know if I can make it there, my mood begins to lift.

Getting out the door is always the hardest part, one of the greatest challenges in maintaining mental wellbeing is the motivation and momentum to do the things you know will help. But I went outside, I put one foot in front of the other and made it to my woodland.

This smile is genuine. It was formed by the dappled light through the trees, the evening birdsong, the sight of two buzzards circling overhead and seeing 2 thriving ducklings I've been hoping will make it

This beautiful planet really is a gift we must not take for granted! Such magic in nature's embrace!

#natureheals #naturecure #mindbodyearth #oneearth #earthinourhands

Embrace Slow Motion & Rest

Although not always the most exciting parts of your yoga practice - slow mindful movement, targeted mobilisations and stillness in a pose are some of the most beneficial for your neuromuscular and joint health and so for optimising movement at every stage of life.

If you're experiencing pain or discomfort, these practices can quickly and effectively reduce or even eliminate it so are an incredibly valuable tool for you to learn and use at home.

Rest is also essential for healing. By taking time to rest, we allow tissues to regenerate and so we can return to activity stronger and more able to progress. It also activates the parasympathetic nervous system, calming and relaxing mind and body so balance is restored.

Ease in slowly and always take time in Savasana - this is where the magic happens!

All our classes at Nurture will include an element of rest as it really is an essential part of a mindful practice. Lie down , get warm and cosy and be sure to take advantage of our gorgeous lavender eye pillows - they really, really do enhance your experience for deep rest.

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

#YogaPrescription #GentleChiropractic #NeuromuscularHealth #YogaTherapy #ChiropractorSaddleworth #Breathe #YourBodyYourYoga #MindBody #HealthyAging #MindfulMovement #JointHealth #YinYoga #HathaYoga #SlowFlow #Savasana #YogaSaddleworth #Nurture #Rest #Savasana

Our Story

How Nurture Saddleworth began.

Have you ever wondered how your favourite yoga & therapy centre in Saddleworth was born? Well, I am here to tell you the tale.

As many of you already know, I (Sophie) have been teaching yoga in and around the Saddleworth area for quite sometime now and can you guess who one of my amazing students was? Yes that’s right, Shelagh.

Shelagh started coming to my yoga classes over one year ago when she made the move up to this beautiful place we call home, Saddleworth. One of the most wonderful things about the industry we work in is that very quickly a deep connection is made, students become friends and in this case friends became business partners.

It has been a dream of mine and Shelagh’s to open a space where people feel at home, where deep connections are created, where creativity & passion thrives, where nature is appreciated and cared for and where a community is built. The visions of our studio were perfectly in line, synchronized – our dreams matched beautifully and because of this Nurture was born.

From the first initial idea of Nurture, to us opening our doors for the first time (a day after my 25th birthday) it took us a total of 8 months of hard work, I wont bore you with every little detail, but it involved many trips to B&Q for MANY tins of paint! A running theme through the whole of our journey is the overwhelming support and kindness we have received every step of the way from friends, family, students, patients and even strangers. Every person wanted to see us thrive and its clear that without the constant support and help from all of these people; Nuture would not be what it is today. From day one, the bond of community has been inspiring and this is something that only grows stronger every single day.

Every time I step through the doors at Nurture Saddleworth, every time I teach a yoga class, every moment I have the chance to connect with a student and get to give Shelagh a big loving hug, I am overwhelmed by gratitude. I feel this deep sense of gratitude rise from my toes all the way to the crown of my head, it fills and flows through my body like water and I think how lucky am I to be able to share a practice I love so much, in a space I love so much, with people I love so much. I thankyou from the bottom of my heart for being a part of this dream.

I invite you to ask yourself, in this exact moment, what are you grateful for? No matter what hardships or however rocky the path of life might seem right now, just pause for a moment and think of something that you really cherish in your life, something that gives you that deep warm feeling in your belly. If it’s a person, tell them how grateful you are for them, show them you love them. Just allow yourself to stop and be grateful.  (we ask you to sit with your emotion and ask how you are feeling and know we are here to support you)

A rather large uphill struggle emerged on Nurtures path (along with so many other businesses) that on Tuesday the 17th of March 2020 we took the extremely difficult decision to suspend all yoga classes, workshops and therapy appointments in the studio due to the corona virus and it honestly felt like one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make. Our hearts felt heavy and there was been many, many tears shed that week, but that is okay, its okay to be emotional open and vulnerable, its okay to admit that we were scared, we are all just muddling through it together. But with the power of community and love we will moved though it together and we now we are soooo excited to have the studio back open and once again be here to provide all your yoga, chiro and reiki needs in a Covid safe space!

Through the difficult time of temporally closing Nurture Saddleworth due to Covid 19 we had chance to expand our business and take our yoga classes online. This was something we never imagined doing but was so incredibly beautiful to be able to connect with our Nurture family via the online world, whilst we were unable to give face to face classes and treatments. This is still a part of our business as we now stream all of our in studio classes live so you can practice with us from the comfort of your home when you cannot make it into the studio.

If you would like to come and practise yoga with us go to our class schedule page https://www.nurturesaddleworth.co.uk/class-schedule/ or if you would like to book an appointment go to https://www.nurturesaddleworth.co.uk/contact-us/.

Shelagh is not just my business partner, she has become part of my family, a sister, a best friend. When you come into Nurture Saddleworth you are not just at another yoga & therapy centre, you are in a place you can call home and a place you can keep deep in your heart. Thank-you for the continual support, both myself and Shelagh send you all the love in the world.

We are excited to see how Nurture evolves with us all, thank-you for being a part of the ride and if you want to be apart of all things Nurture join us on Facebook and Instagram.