About Liz

Biography

Liz has been practising Acupuncture for over 25 years and is inspired by Chinese Medicine and its practical applications in our lives and healthcare today.

Liz started her professional working life in 1982 as an Occupational Therapist, and is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council as an Occupational Therapist. As such, she has worked in both health and social service settings providing treatment and advice in moving and handling, back care, falls prevention, adaptations, equipment and techniques to increase functional independence.

Liz became interested in traditional East Asian medicine through Tai Chi practice and went on to a full time three year degree level training in acupuncture and associated techniques at the Northern College of Acupuncture, qualifying in 1995. On first qualifying, Liz became a member of the Register of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and then its successor, The British Acupuncture Council.

Working as an Acupuncturist

Liz’s first job as an Acupuncturist was as a locum for Hugh MacPherson at The Chien Clinic (now The York Clinic) in York, gaining valuable experience in this busy multidisciplinary setting. Liz then moved to Shropshire with her family, and in 1998 set up her Acupuncture practice in North Shropshire. Liz has a thriving practice based in Whitchurch and enjoys treating people with a variety of health needs.

 

Liz continues to develop her knowledge and skills through reflective practice and additional training, including a Post-Graduate Certificate in Advanced Oriental Medicine (Research and Practice). She has also undertaken further acupuncture related study in subjects such as Acupuncture Oncology (Cancer support), gynaecology; musculoskeletal disorders; Chinese medicine nutrition and food energetics; mental health; insomnia; pain; ear acupuncture; electro-acupuncture; Qigong.

Qigong

Liz started training in Qigong (Chi Kung) in the mid 1980’s and finds that regular practice of this gentle yet powerful and meditative health art supports her own health and enhances her acupuncture practice. She has been taught by inspiring teachers such as Bisong Guo and Yeshe Gyatso, and successfully completed a two year part-time teacher training course with the College of Five Element Chi Kung in 2005. Liz finds that teaching simple self-help Qigong practices can benefit patients on their road to healing.

Approach to Health

Liz balances the practical and philosophical in her approach to life. She understands the power in all of us to self-heal and her treatments are aimed at triggering and supporting this innate capacity, be it through the homeostatic processes of the body, managing and understanding emotions, supporting new ways of thinking or engaging in new healthy activity.

Liz is inspired by the philosophy of classical Chinese medicine which sees people as individuals manifesting interconnected aspects of mind, body and ‘spirit’, influenced by others and the environment in which they live. It is this understanding at the root of traditional East Asian medicine which makes it truly holistic. Liz also appreciates the scientific advances of the western medical approach, and believes that both approaches are valid and essential in healthcare today.

Liz also sees people as occupational beings who need to participate actively in life and feel empowered to create and influence the quality of their own experience, for example by engaging in a healthy lifestyle and a positive outlook. A sense of independence and resilience on any level can be life changing.

Liz has seen how a course of acupuncture treatment and small, manageable lifestyle changes can transform the quality of people’s lives, and believes that this approach to health offers a way forward for many.

Liz is registered with the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) which acts both as a professional association and also as a self-regulatory body, accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. The BAcC governs high standards of safety and practice for its members, to ensure that all patients receive the highest standard of professional care during their acupuncture treatment.

Contact

07536 170228
info@lizcastle.com

Clinics

16-17 Watergate Arcade, Whitchurch SY13 1DP