My first introduction to the mysteries of Traditional Oriental Medicine was in 1970 when I was studying martial arts. I was lucky; the school I went to taught martial arts holistically, not just the fighting skills but also the skills to fix the injuries we inflicted on each other. 

My interest in the healing arts grew, and I learnt yoga and meditation in the early 1980s. I also qualified as a Shiatsu practitioner (a style of Japanese massage that uses acupuncture points and channels). 

Eager to learn more and improve my skills, I graduated from a three-year acupuncture course at the London School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1989 (now the University of Westminster Acupuncture Course). 

The following 16 years found me flying to China most years, initially to study at the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and work in their teaching hospitals, and then to study and work at the Zhejiang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou (now the Hangzhou Medical University). In 2004 they appointed me as a visiting professor. 

Between my China trips, I built a busy, successful practice in Bristol, studying Chinese herbal medicine and nutrition. In addition, I taught acupuncture and Traditional Oriental Medicine for over 18 years at both graduate and post-graduate levels.  

In 2015 I moved to Spain and grew a busy practice, as well as commuting back to Bristol to continue my work here. 

I returned to the UK in 2021, where I now have busy practices in Bristol and Frome.