The Team
About Medical Acupuncture
We believe that acupuncture has an important role to play in health care today and we use it as a therapy following
orthodox medical diagnosis by suitably trained practitioners. During the past few years, acupuncture has become increasingly popular.
Western medical acupuncture has evolved from traditional acupuncture and is based upon our current understanding of medicine and health and illness. It is a therapeutic treatment involving the insertion of fine needles. Fine needles are inserted through the skin and briefly left in position. Sometimes manual or low voltage electrical stimulation is applied to assist the process. The number of needles varies but may be only two or three. We assess each patient’s case and treatment is always tailored to the individual. Whilst a scratch may be felt whilst the needles are inserted, it is not painful.
Treatment might be once a week to begin with, then at longer intervals as the condition responds. A typical course of treatment lasts 5 to 8 sessions. Acupuncture stimulates the nerves in skin and muscle, and can produce a variety of effects. We know that it increases the body's release of natural painkillers - endorphin and serotonin - in the pain
pathways of both the spinal cord and the brain. This modifies the way pain signals are received.
Acupuncture-like techniques have been used for over 5000 years, but the most well known system of acupuncture was developed in the Far East from around 2000 years ago. This was first introduced into Europe in the 17th Century, but widespread interest in the technique did not develop until the early 1970s.
Acupuncture-like techniques have been used for over 5000 years, but the most well known system of acupuncture was developed in the Far East from around 2000 years ago. This was first introduced into Europe in the 17th Century, but widespread interest in the technique did not develop until the early 1970s
.
In the past thirty years, as a result of public interest, considerable scientific research on acupuncture has been carried out - although much remains to be done. We now know much more about how acupuncture works and some of the myths can be laid to rest.
As we learn more about it, the possibilities of using acupuncture alongside orthodox medicine increase. Acupuncture is now available in many hospital pain clinics and it is provided by an ever-increasing number of GPs and hospital doctors as well as physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors.
Meet The Team
Marion Richardson
Marion trained as a nurse at St Thomas' Hospital in London and worked there for several years after qualifying, specialising in Emergency nursing. She worked as a clinical teacher in Emergency Departments in Hertfordshire, joining the University of Hertfordshire in 1992 as a Senior Lecturer in Emergency Nursing. There she specialised in teaching nurses who would staff Minor Injury Units and Walk In Centres throughout the South of England and also lectured in physiology.
Many years ago, Marion received acupuncture for a shoulder problem and was astonished by the results and the relief from pain and increase in movement that she experienced. She became fascinated with how such an apparently simple and minimally invasive procedure could have such dramatic results and decided to investigate further. In 2004 she undertook training with the British Medical Acupuncture Society (“BMAS"). Although her specialty was emergency care within a year, acupuncture was all that she was doing! Marion was invited to work with a local GP colleague, Dr Jonathan Freedman at Parkbury House Surgery, and gained valuable experience there. Together they set up the St Albans and Harpenden knee acupuncture clinic in 2008. She also offered her services at Grove House, a local hospice, and set up and ran a clinic there. Together with the BMAS, Marion developed an MSc programme in Western Medical Acupuncture and was Programme Leader for this for 9 years until she retired from the University of Hertfordshire. This involved teaching qualified health care professionals to analyse and research their acupuncture practice. When the St Albans and Harpenden Acupuncture Knee Clinic lost its NHS funding in summer 2015, Marion helped to set up the St Albans Medical Acupuncture Clinic (“SAMAC”). Originally the aim was to continue caring for patients from the knee clinic, but it has since been expanded to treat other conditions as well. In her free time Marion enjoys cycling, walking the dogs and spending time with her family. |
Margaret Brown
Margaret has been a Registered nurse for 35 years. She began her nursing career at 18 training locally at Northwick park Hospital and Central Middlesex school of Nursing. On qualifying she worked at Watford General in ITU, CCU and the renal unit. She had her family and continued to work in ITU mainly doing night duty. She moved from the NHS for a short period and worked in the private sector.
In 2000 Margaret was appointed into a specialist role in the NHS to develop a nursing service to facilitate treatments for patients with severe arthritis. She has specialised for the past 20 years caring for and treating patients with Rheumatological conditions including all types of arthritis, musculoskeletal conditions, connective tissue disease and osteoporosis. She has worked as a clinical nurse specialist in Rheumatology at Hillingdon Hospital, The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (Barnet Hospital)and West Hertfordshire NHS Trust. Currently Margaret is working as a vaccinator assisting with the covid 19 vaccination rollout with Hertfordshire Community Trust. As part of her specialist practice she has developed advanced skills such as injecting joints and can prescribe medication. In 2014 she trained as medical acupuncturist. She has worked at SAMAC since 2016. In her day to day practice Margaret sees that patients can struggle with controlling symptoms. She has found that acupuncture can complement conventional medical treatment and be safe and effective in reducing pain and relieving a variety of symptoms. Margaret is passionate about all aspects of health and well being. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family, walking as often as she can, practicing mindfulness & meditation, and spending as much time in her garden as possible. |
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