Four Rivers Acupuncture

I was 33 years old with an active life and a full time job doing something I loved. In November 1996 I came down with influenza. I had it for about two weeks and was bed ridden all that time, with hot and cold sweats. The ‘flu went but the exhaustion and fatigue I had experienced were still with me. I went from being an active man to being housebound within a matter of weeks. I loved to walk my dog Bess in the local woods for hours, and I would ride my beloved Triumph Daytona 900 for miles and miles. I was now too ill to work and taking Bess for a walk would shatter me afterwards for several hours. I had to pull myself up the stairs by my arms to reach the top and would be completely knackered for several hours afterwards.

My doctor sent me for hundreds of tests over the next year but they all came back negative. In the end after many months of tests I was diagnosed with Post Viral Chronic Fatigue or as it’s commonly known ME. I was told by my consultant that there was no cure and I would have this for the rest of my life and I would not work or have a full life again.

Luckily my doctor wasn’t so closed mind as my consultant and suggested an alternative therapy which was homeopathy. I had never considered anything like this, as I was not aware of anything apart from the national health that could help me. I was in a constant fuzz and couldn’t think straight. It was like my brain was in a fog all the time and I couldn’t see or think through it. So when I called the complementary health centre to make an appointment with the homeopath I was told she was fully booked, and was offered acupuncture instead.

It was now 2000 and I had been ill for four years. So what did Helen do for me? She got me thinking again first with her little needles and her laughter. Then she got me focused on getting well and not on the illness itself. I just wanted to get back to normal. So with Helens help I changed my diet and started eating healthily and started exercising again. Walking at first and then getting on my push bike. Helen helped me realize that taking small steps was the key to long term health. Before I knew it, I was cycling to the end of the road, and just a bit further every day until I was cycling around my village every day. I had put on a lot of weight in the years leading up to this, and I lost six stone with Helens help and encouragement.

I do have to say that this wasn’t an easy journey. I was a very difficult case and I had been on anti-depressants for four years leading up to acupuncture. I would like to say to anyone who is thinking of acupuncture, to just do it. Don’t wait around. The earlier you start treatment the sooner you can start getting better. I started having treatment every week with Helen for nine months, and then every two weeks for another six months. I continued seeing Helen for tune-ups every month for another two years. After each session I could feel my energies coming back to me a little at a time, which gave me the motivation to keep going.

I made a total recovery from the illness. I lost weight, got fit and eventually went back to work part time but eventually full time. I put this down to Helen's treatment, her outlook and her refusal to let me quit. She was with me every step of the way. I would recommend her to anyone whatever their ailment or problem. Acupuncture is much more than needles. It encompasses all aspects of a person’s life and gets you back in the right state of mind when you can start helping yourself. I am now incredibly happily married to my soul mate Katina, have moved to the sea side and I honestly say that I have never been fitter, happier or healthier in my life.


			I was 33 years old with an active life and a full time job doing something I loved. In November 1996 I came down with influenza. I had it for about two weeks and was bed ridden all that time, with hot and cold sweats. The ‘flu went but the exhaustion and fatigue I had experienced were still with me. I went from being an active man to being housebound within a matter of weeks. I loved to walk my dog Bess in the local woods for hours, and I would ride my beloved Triumph Daytona 900 for miles and miles. I was now too ill to work and taking Bess for a walk would shatter me afterwards for several hours. I had to pull myself up the stairs by my arms to reach the top and would be completely knackered for several hours afterwards. My doctor sent me for hundreds of tests over the next year but they all came back negative. In the end after many months of tests I was diagnosed with Post Viral Chronic Fatigue or as it’s commonly known ME. I was told by my consultant that there was no cure and I would have this for the rest of my life and I would not work or have a full life again. Luckily my doctor wasn’t so closed mind as my consultant and suggested an alternative therapy which was homeopathy. I had never considered anything like this, as I was not aware of anything apart from the national health that could help me. I was in a constant fuzz and couldn’t think straight. It was like my brain was in a fog all the time and I couldn’t see or think through it. So when I called the complementary health centre to make an appointment with the homeopath I was told she was fully booked, and was offered acupuncture instead. It was now 2000 and I had been ill for four years. So what did Helen do for me? She got me thinking again first with her little needles and her laughter. Then she got me focused on getting well and not on the illness itself. I just wanted to get back to normal. So with Helens help I changed my diet and started eating healthily and started exercising again. Walking at first and then getting on my push bike. Helen helped me realize that taking small steps was the key to long term health. Before I knew it, I was cycling to the end of the road, and just a bit further every day until I was cycling around my village every day. I had put on a lot of weight in the years leading up to this, and I lost six stone with Helens help and encouragement. I do have to say that this wasn’t an easy journey. I was a very difficult case and I had been on anti-depressants for four years leading up to acupuncture. I would like to say to anyone who is thinking of acupuncture, to just do it. Don’t wait around. The earlier you start treatment the sooner you can start getting better. I started having treatment every week with Helen for nine months, and then every two weeks for another six months. I continued seeing Helen for tune-ups every month for another two years. After each session I could feel my energies coming back to me a little at a time, which gave me the motivation to keep going. I made a total recovery from the illness. I lost weight, got fit and eventually went back to work part time but eventually full time. I put this down to Helen's treatment, her outlook and her refusal to let me quit. She was with me every step of the way. I would recommend her to anyone whatever their ailment or problem. Acupuncture is much more than needles. It encompasses all aspects of a person’s life and gets you back in the right state of mind when you can start helping yourself. I am now incredibly happily married to my soul mate Katina, have moved to the sea side and I honestly say that I have never been fitter, happier or healthier in my life. Testimonial from Neil.






				When I first went to see Helen, some years ago, I had a number of emotional problems which were affecting my general health. I had been to other acupuncturists previously with some success but as soon as I met Helen I knew no one else would do, she has such a delightful manner and gentle way of treating people. With Helen's help I got my problems sorted out and my health in general improved. I go back every now and then just to keep my energies in balance and catch up with an old friend. Carole Ivey