The youngest member of the family (currently) has been roped in as my social media model… and I think he loves the inconvenience of ‘having’ to get acupuncture, cupping or massage (from @masgtherapy ).

Cupping is a traditional technique used in Chinese medicine to help improve circulation, release muscle tension, support detoxification, and promote overall healing. It’s especially great for tight backs, stubborn knots, and that “heavy” feeling you sometimes can’t quite shift.

In this video, I’m using fire cupping with bamboo cups I picked up while training in China. I also use glass, suction, and silicone cups depending on what your body needs from the treatment.

And yes… some people definitely just come for the marks. But they leave for all of the benefits too.

If you’re curious or want to try it for yourself, you can add 10 minutes of cupping onto your acupuncture session for an extra £10.

Book here: www.TheAcu.co.uk

Sperm health matters more than most people realise…
It’s not just about count — quality, motility, and DNA integrity all play a huge role in fertility outcomes.
The good news? There’s a lot that can be done to support it.
I’ve put together a simple, practical guide to help you understand where to start ✨
If you’d like a copy, just comment:
SPERM
and I’ll send it straight to your DMs 💛 Or send it to a man in your life that may need some support.
#MaleFertility #SpermHealth #TTCJourney #IVFSupport #FertilitySupportUK #SuttonColdfield #Birmingham #Acupuncture #chinesemedicine
Sperm eye cooling patches from @sussexspermbank
Sperm keyring from @fairfaxcryobank
Both stalls were at @thefertilityshow in May 2025.

Hayfever Help! 🌿 (Part 1)

Struggling with blocked sinuses or itchy eyes? Try these two simple acupressure points:

✨ LI20 – found either side of the nostrils
Helps open the nasal passages and relieve congestion

✨ Yintang – between the eyebrows
Calms irritation, sinus pressure, and helps soothe itchy eyes

Gently massage each point for 30–60 seconds.

Save this for later or share with someone you know who suffers from hayfever 💛

If your symptoms are ongoing or more severe, acupuncture can offer longer-term support.
You can book an appointment online at:
✨ www.theacu.co.uk

#HayfeverRelief #Acupressure #AcupunctureUK #NaturalSupport #TCM #SuttonColdfield #Birmingham #Acupuncture #ChineseMedicine

Looking after your eggs starts long before IVF or trying to conceive…

Small, consistent changes can make a real difference to egg quality — and knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.

So I’ve put together a simple, practical guide to support you 💛

If you’d like a copy, just comment:

EGG

and I’ll send it straight to your DMs ✨

To book in with me, or arrange a free 15 minute discovery call beforehand, please visit www.TheAcu.co.uk and choose a date and time that suits you.

#FertilitySupport #EggQuality #TTCJourney #IVFPrep #WomensHealthUK #SuttonColdfield #Birmingham #Acupuncture #ChineseMedicine

Chinese Herbal Medicine during IVF: What does the evidence actually say?
Many IVF clinics advise patients not to take herbal medicine.
That recommendation usually stems from concerns around:
• Self-prescribing
• Ordering herbs online
• Unknown ingredient quality
• Lack of practitioner training in IVF pharmacology
• Potential herb–drug interactions
These are legitimate safety concerns.
However, when prescribed by a trained practitioner, Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) is not the same as over-the-counter supplementation.
A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating CHM alongside IVF found that, in certain protocols, adjunctive herbal medicine was associated with improved clinical pregnancy rates compared to IVF alone
Importantly, the review highlights heterogeneity in study design, herbal formulations, and timing — meaning outcomes depend heavily on practitioner skill, protocol timing, and individualisation.
This is where clinical training matters.
In fertility-focused practice:
✔ Herbs are prescribed individually — not generically
✔ Formulas are modified according to cycle phase
✔ Herbs are typically used in the 3 months prior to stimulation to support folliculogenesis
✔ Herbs are paused or adjusted during ovarian stimulation, egg collection, and embryo transfer depending on protocol
✔ Prescriptions are adapted around GnRH agonists/antagonists, progesterone support, and trigger timing
The aim is not to “boost” IVF.
The aim is to optimise physiology before the cycle begins and to step back when pharmacology takes priority.
Chinese Herbal Medicine is a powerful medical system. Used incorrectly, it can conflict. Used correctly, it can complement.
Safety comes from:
• Proper diagnosis
• Pharmaceutical awareness
• Clear stop/start timing
• Ongoing monitoring
• Open communication with the patient
If you’ve been advised not to take herbs, that advice is often about unsupervised use — not about properly prescribed, fertility-trained herbal medicine.
If you’re preparing for IVF and want an evidence-informed, safe, collaborative approach, you’re welcome to book an initial consultation to discuss your specific protocol and timing through www.TheAcu.co.uk

Sometimes the hardest part of your health journey isn’t knowing what to do…

…it’s feeling like no one is really listening.

“I don’t care” might not be what’s actually said —
but it’s often how it feels when you’ve:

• Been dismissed
• Been told your symptoms are “normal”
• Been given no real answers
• Or been passed from pillar to post

Whether it’s fertility, hormones, pain, digestion or your mental wellbeing — you deserve to feel heard, understood, and supported with a clear plan.

This is something I hear far too often in clinic. So the video shows some of the things people say that really do not make me blink twice.

And it’s exactly why I work the way I do.

Taking the time to look at the full picture.
Explaining what’s going on in your body.
Creating a treatment plan that actually makes sense for you.

Because your symptoms are not random.
And they’re not something you just have to “put up with”.

If you’re ready to feel supported properly, you can book an appointment online:

✨ www.theacu.co.uk

Or feel free to message me to email me Laura@TheAcu.co.uk to schedule a free 15 minute discovery call if you’re unsure where to start 💛

#AcupunctureUK #HormoneHealth #FertilitySupport #ChronicPainSupport #YouDeserveBetter #ChineseMedicine