Alexandra Ross

Traditional Acupuncture - Cosmetic Acupuncture - Massage Therapy

My introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture began at an early age, as my mother is an Acupuncturist. I was influenced by her take on healthcare as a young adult and experienced the results of my own improved health and well-being from her treatments. I remember being awestruck by the wonders of this ancient healthcare system at a young age and I continue to be in awe of it’s cleverness and sophistication! I trained at the College of Medical Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in Shannon, Ireland for three years, under Dr John Burke, John Cooke and Sang Man. During my training my mentors have been Dr Yin (Chinese Medical Care, London) and fertility specialist, Simona Dhar (The Healing Rooms, Galway, Eire). I hold a licentiate to practise TCM Acupuncture and Cosmetic Acupuncture from CMATCM, and I am fully insured, other qualifications include; BSc (Hons) Degree in Psychology.

I have a particular interest in pain relief from a variety of ailments and women’s health, including fertility issues, PMT complaints and menopausal symptoms.

Acupuncture

Traditional acupuncture is based on the premise that good health can be achieved if the body’s natural equilibrium is restored. When there are symptoms of pain and ill health these are seen as disharmonies within the body that have manifested as a result of imbalance. Often, apparently unrelated complaints are seen as very much connected in TCM and an acupuncturist will approach the patient holistically rather than isolating symptoms. Eastern philosophy recognises that we can fall out of balance and become ill for many reasons, including stress, everyday pressures, trauma, emotional issues, poor diet and just not looking after ourselves. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles to various acupuncture points along meridians that run throughout the body. These needles stimulate functions that promote the well-being of the body and support the body in healing itself.

In addition to acupuncture I also offer Pregnancy Massage, Hot Stone Massage and Holistic Massage.

Pregnancy massage is hugely beneficial for both mother and baby.

As the baby develops, the mother’s body undergoes many changes putting pressure on joints, ligaments and organs, Pregnancy massage can help alleviate aches and pains and other common symptoms associated with pregnancy in a safe and gentle way. Preparing for the arrival of a new baby brings lots of excitement but at the same time plenty of stress! Massage can help reduce stress levels due to its calming effect. It has been shown that the baby can benefit greatly from massage as feel-good endorphins are released by the mother during the session and are passed onto the baby.

Benefits of massage in pregnancy include:

-lymphatic drainage

-releases muscular tension

-stimulates circulation

-releases compression

-can improve sluggish bowel movement

-induces deep relaxation

-helps reduce varicose veins from developing

Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone massage has been in use for over 3,000 years.  Ancient Chinese, Indian and Native American civilisations used hot stones in massage to cleanse the body, soothe the mind and ground the soul.

The use of heat (thermotherapy) in massage prepares the musculature of the body allowing the therapist to work into deeper layers of muscle, creating a treatment that is both deeply relaxing and healing.

I use natural basalt stones that have been river tumbled and hand selected from lakes and rivers in America. These stones have been naturally smoothed and found washed up on river beds, holding an incredible energy.  Basalt is a volcanic (igneous) stone that is dark in colour due to the amounts of iron and magnesium it contains, these elements allow the stone to acquire, retain and emanate a consistent and soothing heat for long periods of time.

One stroke of a hot stone can be compared to 10 strokes of the therapist’s hand.