Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease'

Acupuncture is a branch of Chinese medicine and is the longest continuous medical system known to man. By the end of the Tang dynasty in the 10th century, five centuries before the birth of Western medicine, the Chinese had already developed a highly comprehensive body of medical knowledge and methods, many of which were far in advance of the West. However

This knowledge has continued to expand and to be refined up until the present day, where the efficacy of acupuncture and the existence of the meridian system have begun to be scientifically proven.

Today acupuncture is the most popular and trusted alternative medicine in the world. It can work very well alongside Western medicine but is a complete and holistic system capable of treating the whole body in its own right.

 

Matt Fellows - Our Acupuncturist & Co Founder!

I am trained to the highest level and gained an honours degree at The London College of Traditional Acupuncture. I am fully insured and am a member of the professional governing body, the British Acupuncture Council. I continue to study frequently and partake in various forms of continual professional development. My studies have taken me around the World but I always come home to my home town of Glastonbury.

Glastonbury itself is said to be situated on a Ley line or meridian. The ancient Britons believed that the Earth, like the body, has lines of energy that run through it and across it. They built various structures, such as stone circles, along their length to mark out where they lay. Glastonbury, the ancient Isle of Avalon, is thought to exist on such a line, and is sometimes thought to be a kind of acupuncture point of the earth.

The ancient Chinese also held similar beliefs and called them 'dragon lines'. They took this notion further and discovered that there are similar passages of energy that run around and through the body. It is these pathways or meirdians that an acupuncturist seeks to utilise during a treatment.

How I became an acupuncturist

For as long as I remember I have always though that there was more to life than what I were taught in school. Thw interconnectedness of life and the Earth was always apparent. Naturally my readings and studies led me to the East where the ideas of oneness and energy are prevalent. I first came across Daniel Reid's approachable books on Chinese medicine which led me to the classics of the Tao Te Ching and the I Ching. These ancient Chinese writings resonated with me and I set out to learn more.

I therefore enrolled in a local Tai Chi class, which embodies the Chinese philosophy, and I was lucky enough to be taught by a Grand Master who teaches in the traditional way. I soon began to feel this Qi (pronounced Chee), or energy, of which I had read a great deal. As the sensations began to increase I also began to notice the benefits to my health. I became determined to learn more about Chinese medicine.

I therefore went for a course of acupuncture treatments, which entirely cured a recurring back and sciatica problem, sustained by years of landscape gardening.

This wetted my appetite even further and I decided on a complete career change away from landscaping and I enrolled on a three year course in London, to become a qualified acupuncturist. My hope was to learn as much as I could and to the greatest depth possible.

After qualifying with a 2.1 Honours degree in 2008 I joined the British Acupuncture Council, the governing body and gold standard for acupuncture in this country.

Since then I have continued with my Tai Chi practice and have qualified as a teacher. I have also completed a diploma in Tui Na, a form of Chinese massage, which gives greater scope and reach to my treatments.

I have subsequenly begun to comprehend the true depth and breadth of Chinese medicine and that the learning never truly ends. Becomind an acupuncturist was only the beginning!

The Chinese Crane

The symbol of my practice is the Chinese Crane. 

In Chinese symbology, the Crane is the most favoured of all bird symbols. It signifies health and longevity because of its exceptionally long life span.

In many legends the spirits ride on cranes, which are also said to bear the souls of the departed to the heavens. Interestingly, over the past few years, Cranes have begun to be re-introduced to the Somerset levels and are beginning to flourish once more. I therefore see the Crane as a fitting symbol for my practice. For further info please visit:

http://www.thegreatcraneproject.org.uk/project