Four Pillars Acupuncture

25/10/2026

Post-Shingles Nerve Symptoms: When the Rash Has Gone but the Nerve Still Reacts

One of our recent patients came to Four Pillars Acupuncture with a long-standing problem following shingles affecting the ophthalmic branch (V1) of the trigeminal nerve.

Almost three years after the original shingles episode, she was still experiencing:

Numbness over part of the forehead and scalp, intense neuropathic itching, crawling and “zinging” sensations, touch sensitivity, symptoms aggravated by stress.

This is a recognised type of post-herpetic neuralgia. It does not always present as pain. Damaged sensory nerves can also produce itching, tingling, crawling, electrical sensations or reduced sensation.

Our treatment approach has been to work at several levels:

1. Local treatment
Gentle acupuncture around the affected forehead and scalp area, while avoiding heavily irritated skin.

2. Distal acupuncture
Points on the hands, arms, legs and feet are used to regulate related channel pathways and provide sensory input away from the hypersensitive area.

3. Scalp acupuncture
Selected scalp sensory areas are used as part of a broader neuromodulation approach, with the aim of influencing how the nervous system processes abnormal sensory signals.

4. Whole-system regulation
Stress, sleep and nervous-system arousal can strongly influence neuropathic itching, so treatment also focuses on calming the overall system rather than only treating the local symptom.

After completing her initial course, the patient reported that sensation was beginning to return in areas of the face and scalp that had previously felt numb, and she has chosen to continue treatment.

Every case is different, and acupuncture cannot guarantee complete symptom resolution. In long-standing neuropathic conditions, meaningful progress may instead be seen as reduced itching, fewer abnormal sensations, improved sleep, greater comfort and gradual changes in sensory awareness.

Four Pillars Acupuncture
St Albans
www.pillarsacupuncture.com

25/09/2026

04/09/2026

One experience in particular, with a 98-year-old lady, has stayed with me deeply.

When I first met her, she had bronze-golden hair, a strong high nose and striking features that reminded me of a Greek sculpture. I later discovered that she actually had Greek heritage.

But physically, she was very frail. She had a pacemaker, her breathing was heavy and laboured, and she suffered from long-standing numbness and crawling sensations in her hands and feet that disturbed her sleep. At times, she said her limbs felt “as if they were not really mine”.

During the first treatment, she could barely feel the needles. I remember wondering how much response such an elderly body could still produce.

But after the second and third treatments, she began to notice movement, tingling and sensation returning.

One day, she looked at her own foot in surprise and asked:

“Is this my foot?”

I still remember the expression on her face — something both familiar and unfamiliar, as if she were rediscovering a part of herself that had been lost for a long time.

After around five treatments, her energy, complexion and general wellbeing had visibly improved.

Last week, when I saw her again, she had put on lipstick and a little makeup.

At that moment, I realised that for her, the treatment was no longer simply a medical procedure. It had become something she prepared for with dignity — almost like an appointment worth looking forward to.

Over time, I have come to understand that acupuncture is not only about medical knowledge.

It is also about trust, kindness and the connection between two people.

Perhaps these are part of the foundation of healing itself.

Maybe this is a kind of positive cycle of intention — when you genuinely wish for someone to feel better, that kindness somehow returns in another form.

Sometimes I even feel that the body can sense it.

Acupuncture may not only be about treating the body. Sometimes it is about helping someone reconnect with the feeling of being alive.

It also makes me think again about the classical acupuncture text Ling Shu — often translated as the Spiritual Pivot. The title itself feels meaningful. Perhaps the ancient physicians were not only talking about points and channels, but about the relationship between the body, the mind and life itself.

I increasingly believe one thing:

Our bodies never truly give up trying to repair themselves. Sometimes, we simply drift too far away from them.🙂
albans

19/08/2026

12/07/2026

🌿 Summer Healing Window 2026 – A Once-a-Year Opportunity for Preventive Care

Did you know that Traditional Chinese Medicine considers the hottest weeks of summer to be the best time to strengthen your body's resilience before winter?

This special seasonal treatment period, known as San Fu Tian, is traditionally used to help warm the body, dispel lingering cold and damp patterns, and support long-term wellbeing through Acupuncture and Moxibustion.

✨ Limited Seasonal Package
3 x Acupuncture & Moxa Treatments / 60 mins – £150

📅 Available 15 July – 23 August 2026 only. (Saturday)

Don't miss this unique healing window—it won't return until next summer.

📍 Four Pillars Acupuncture | St Albans
📞 SMS: 07763 135161 (text: Healing window in Summer)
🌐 www.pillarsacupuncture.com

25/06/2026

Understanding Gout: When Sudden Big Toe Pain Should Not Be Ignored.
Sudden pain, swelling, redness, and difficulty walking — especially in the big toe — may be a sign of gout, a common form of inflammatory arthritis.
Gout occurs when uric acid crystals accumulate in the joint, triggering intense pain and inflammation. Common contributing factors may include alcohol, dehydration, a rich diet, stress, and reduced kidney clearance.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, gout is often associated with damp-heat and stagnation affecting the channels. Acupuncture treatment is tailored to the individual and may help support pain relief, reduce swelling, improve circulation, and restore overall balance.
During an acute flare, it is important to:
- rest the joint
- stay well hydrated
- avoid alcohol
- seek appropriate medical advice, including assessment of uric acid, kidney, and liver function
If you experience recurrent gout, a more comprehensive approach may help address both the immediate symptoms and the underlying pattern of imbalance.
Four Pillars Acupuncture, St Albans
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17/06/2026

It’s not always “What disease do I have?”

Sometimes the better questions are:
Why am I always exhausted?
Why does stress affect my stomach?
Why can’t I switch off at night?
Why do I feel unlike myself?
These patterns matter — even before anything serious develops.

Health often starts with noticing patterns early.

Four Pillars Acupuncture in St Albans
Saturday Clinic and Weekday Home Visit
*Booking: Whatsapp/SMS: 07763 135161
www.pillarsacupuncture.com

13/06/2026

I’m very pleased to share a professional milestone in my acupuncture journey.

After a further 2 years of advanced specialist training, I have now been awarded a Diploma in Brain Acupuncture. This training included advanced scalp acupuncture methods and clinical protocols used in support of neurological rehabilitation, including presentations such as stroke recovery, Parkinson’s disease, and brain injury.

I’m grateful to keep developing my training so I can offer a more integrated and informed approach to patient care at Four Pillars Acupuncture in St Albans.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey.

Chung – Acupuncturist
Four Pillars Acupuncture in St Albans😀