Bodywise: Hello Anne-Marie! You started giving acupuncture treatments here at Bodywise about three years ago. What led you to become an acupuncturist?
Anne-Marie Gill: I’ve always been interested in complimentary therapies and received acupuncture treatments myself, whilst working as a Health Visitor for the NHS. After receiving acupuncture treatments, I experienced a sense of returning back to myself, as though my energy had somehow been restored and rebalanced.
When I finally left my NHS job, training in Acupuncture felt the perfect path for me to take. I am particularly fortunate to have good friends working at Bodywise who encouraged me to do the 3-year training in York. Working at Bodywise feels like coming home to where I’m meant to be!
BW: Are there any myths you would like to dispel about Acupuncture?
AMG: I think the main one has to be around the “needles”!! I have heard so many unbelievable stories about them and it’s a great opportunity I have to clarify this issue!
The needles we use for acupuncture are tiny in comparison to the hypodermic needles which are generally used in the NHS for injections and blood taking, and in fact, many people don’t even feel them being inserted. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), my area of practice, the purpose of inserting the needles is to move Qi (energy) along meridians (invisible pathways in the body).
The acupuncture points chosen, are based on a diagnosis formed by identifying the patterns of disharmony within the body. Because everyone is different and formed by a multitude of conditions and experiences, every treatment will be unique to that person. For example, a migraine could be treated in many different ways depending on the underlying cause of the pain. The migraine being a symptom of a disharmony in the body.
There is a huge variation in how people experience acupuncture and some experience a sensation when the needle is inserted of the Qi moving along the meridian in the body. Again this varies between individuals. Most clients I treat relax to music during the treatment and often fall asleep.
BW: Could you describe a typical acupuncture session?
AMG: There is never really a typical session as such, as people come to have acupuncture for a whole variety of reasons.
The format of the session, however, is similar. It involves an initial consultation where I take a detailed history, including medical and health issues as well as lifestyle, diet, work, sleep etc… The first appointment is therefore longer as more information is taken. I also feel the wrist pulse. In TCM there are several pulses on the wrist relating to the different organs in the body which can indicate specific patterns of disharmony. I also have a look at the tongue, which gives me a lot of information about how the systems in the body are working and where a deficiency or stagnant energy may need moving. Sometimes a physical examination may be necessary, particularly for muscular skeletal problems. In the current situation, this will be done with maximum precautions. I have updated my ways of working to include enhanced hygiene procedures before, during and after the treatment, and the wearing of PPE.
The next part of the session is the Acupuncture treatment itself, whereby most clients relax on the couch. Some treatments may involve very few needles around the wrist, feet or lower legs. Other treatments may involve acupuncture points on the back e.g. for backpain, or shoulder and neck aches. I sometimes use heat and massage for specific conditions, and often clients relax listening to music.
BW: Who benefits from Acupuncture?
AMG: Acupuncture can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions. These include migraines, digestive problems, chronic fatigue, arthritis as well as depression, anxiety, stress, to name but a few. It is a holistic form of treatment and can support mind, body and spirit.
From my own experience of receiving acupuncture and treating people, I have seen many conditions improve with regular acupuncture treatments. Often one treatment alone may result in a huge improvement in a person’s wellbeing but as everyone is different, there are no guarantees!
Acupuncture is an energy-based system and supports the body to heal, by moving Qi (energy). It often appeals to people who have tried Western conventional treatments with limited success and feel they are needing a different approach.
Acupuncture is not in opposition to Western medical treatment and can work very harmoniously alongside medical models of treatment. It can be seen as complimentary as well as an alternative depending on what suits each individual person.
BW: What do you love about your job?
AMG: I love the fact that after years of working in very difficult and challenging conditions, I can now concentrate on treating clients on a one-to-one basis, in a supportive and healing environment.
So many clients come through the door and breathe a sigh of relief to be in a relaxing safe space and it’s a lovely feeling and privilege to be part of the Bodywise team.
I love meeting so many lovely people who I have never met before, but have chosen to come and see me for support with their health. I get a great deal of joy from giving the treatments as well as seeing the benefits they have on the clients I treat.
I feel very grateful to have this opportunity to tell you more about myself and my work as an Acupuncturist. I look forward to meeting some of you in the future.
BW: Tell us something about yourself
AMG: Ooh where to start! I wanted to be a dancer from being very small, then an artist but somehow found myself at 18 years old, training to be a nurse!!
I live in Manchester where I was born, and although I enjoy living in the city and walking in its lovely green spaces, I also love going out walking in the countryside, and being alone in nature in my campervan.
I am part of the fabulous Buddhafield North Team which I have been involved with since we set up our first family retreat in Yorkshire 17 years ago!
I have 2 grown-up sons that live close by and we have great fun together. I love travelling, and for the last 2 years have spent some time in India which feeds my soul as well as supporting my yoga and meditation practice.
I’m really enjoying seeing the bulbs that I planted coming up in my little front garden in my new house, as well as enjoying the amazing city birds that visit my bird feeder! I love spending time with friends, all sorts of music, dance — particularly ballet – and writing stories.
BW: What’s one of your Desert Island Discs?
AMG: Really difficult to choose just one, but I think it has to be Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez! Makes my spine tingle. I particularly love how it features perfectly in the film “Brassed off”!!