Mir Ali (LicAc, MBAcC) is a member of The British Acupuncture Council. He initially studied Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture at the London College of Traditional Acupuncture (LCTA), starting in 1998 and has been practising since 2001.

After qualifying, Mir visited Hangzhou Hospital in South East China, where he was able to observe and treat a variety of illnesses and conditions including; Bell's Palsy, Stroke, Male Sub-Fertility, Muscle/Joint pain, Women's health; IVF/ICSI support, Infertility, Sub-fertility, Endometriosis, PCOS, Amenorrhoea (the absence of a menstrual cycle), Painful periods, Paediatric health, Chronic pain management and support of mental/emotional issues.

Mir has an interest in different approaches to Acupuncture and since graduating has dedicated many hours to the study of modern and Classical Chinese medicine. He continually updates his knowledge on the latest news in health, including sports performance, nutrition, disease pathology and researches into classical approaches to oriental medicine and how they may be made available and made relevant to modern day illness and wellbeing.

Mir has a special interest in the treatment of Women's Health; IVF/ICSI support, irregular mesntrual cycles, painful periods, PMS and also musculo-skeletal injuries such as lower back pain, neck and shoulder pain.

Mir has been a guest lecturer, teaching modern approaches to Acupuncture, at the British College of Osteopathic Medicine.

In his spare time, Mir enjoys practicing Qi Gong, Meditation and Internal Martial arts, which he has been practicing for over thirty years. In the last twenty years he has been involved in the constant study and research into Chinese health and martial practices. In 1991 he started his training in Shaoling Kung fu, Qigong and meditation and since 2001 his practice has been focused on Taoist Neigong, Medical Qigong, Meditation and Internal Martial arts.

Mir has represented the Great Britain in China at international conferences, demonstrating Shaolin Kung fu to the Chinese public at live televised events, appearing in Chinese martial arts documentaries, television interviews and has perfomed at Buddhist and Taoist temples in China in front of international teachers, masters and students.

Lisa Harmer (LicAc, MBAcC) is a member of The British Acupuncture Council. Lisa also studied Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture at the London College of Traditional Acupuncture (LCTA), where she gained her licence to practice in 2001.

Lisa also studied in China, (Hangzhou TCM Hospital) observing and treating a number of conditions, including; Stroke, Bell's palsy, Women's Health, Chronic pain management, musculoskeletal problems, weight loss management and Men's Health.

Lisa currently treats only a few long term patients one day a week.

At present Lisa is not taking new patients/clients.

We practice an integrated approach to health, which means using traditional techniques from Chinese medicine and modern scientific understanding, to keep ourselves and our patients healthy.

We are happy to work alongside GP's and other therapists (such as Osteopaths, Physiotherapists, Nutritional Therapists etc.) to gain maximum effect and the best results possible for patients.

Important in our approach to treating patients is our consideration of their overall wellbeing. This means treating everybody as an individual and tailoring treatments individual to their current health and looking at and treating them as a whole; treating their physical, mental and emotional health.

In practice this may mean if two people arrive in the clinic with similar shoulder complaints, they can be treated very differently depending on their complete picture of health and any other health issues they may present with.

As an example, someone entering the clinic with a simple complaint of joint pain, will be examined and asked about their main complaint during their consultation and also about their general health too (by means of a medical questionnaire). If other health issues arise during this time which the patient feels they would also like addressed, then treatment for this and other problems can take place together.

Example:

If Mrs A arrives at the clinic with "Tennis Elbow" (Lateral Epicondylitis), we take note of the orthodox medical diagnosis and also diagnose the person's condition from the viewpoint of Chinese medicine. We treat according to Chinese medical theory, bearing in mind the orthodox medical point of view.

A condition such as Tennis Elbow is usually treated by orthodox medicine using different treatments; the application of ice to stop inflammation, possibly a prescription of anti inflammatory medication and advice to rest the arm. If the patient is referred to a Physiotherapist, then additional treatment in the form of a rehabilitation program may be given (appropriate advice on exercises and stretches), some massage and ultrasound treatment too. If the condition is chronic, then steroid injections may be offered and as a last resort an operation may be scheduled.

Our approach to treating this condition would be to apply herbal (like Tiger Balm) liniments in place of ice to the area to reduce the inflammation and pain, advise resting the arm as much as possible, massage of the upper arm and shoulder (which often over compensate causing tightness and pain), application of Acupuncture treatment to further reduce the pain and inflammation to the affected area and in addition, treat other conditions which may be of concern to the patient, such as poor sleep, tiredness headaches etc., which may or may not have any relation to the Tennis Elbow.

Chinese medicine is considered to have an holistic approach to healthcare, its concern is not only for the effective treatment of the main complaint, but also treatment of the person as a whole, always taking into consideration their physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.