My First Acupuncture Experience with Jan - One Treatment at a Time: My Journey Through Meadows Wellbeing
I recently had my very first acupuncture session with Jan at Meadows Wellbeing, and it turned out to be far more eye-opening than I ever expected.
Understanding What Acupuncture Really Is
Before we even began, Jan took the time to explain what acupuncture truly involves…How it works, who it can help, and the meaning behind the many acupuncture points across the body. Traditional East Asian medicine is built on ancient principles that date back thousands of years, rooted in mathematics, energetic pathways, and herbal medicine.
What fascinated me most was learning that the core textbooks still used today—the Su Wen and the Shan Han Lun—remain unchanged because they work. Modern practitioners haven’t needed to stray from these foundations, which speaks volumes about their enduring effectiveness.
Jan’s Journey Into Acupuncture
Jan’s personal journey into acupuncture is just as compelling as the practice itself. Before retraining, she worked as a microbiologist and Quality Assurance Manager in the pharmaceutical industry—quite the contrast to ancient medicine!
She shared how she became very unwell and lost feeling in her arm. After exhausting every conventional medical route with no success, acupuncture was suggested as a last resort. Remarkably, it worked. Sensation returned, her health improved, and the experience was so transformative that it prompted a complete career change.
Jan isn’t alone at Meadows in having such a unique path. Another acupuncturist, Sylvia, previously worked as a veterinary surgeon before moving into East Asian medicine. Seeing practitioners with such strong scientific and clinical backgrounds choose acupuncture highlights just how powerful and credible this practice can be.
The Connection Between Emotions and the Body
Our conversation naturally flowed into the link between emotional and physical wellbeing. Jan gave the example of IBS - something many people struggle with. In East Asian medicine, the channel responsible for digestion is also linked to how we process information, which suddenly made phrases like “worry guts” and “trust your gut” feel incredibly relevant.
We also discussed grief. In traditional medicine, grief is associated with the lungs, and Jan explained how emotional loss can often manifest physically as breathing difficulties or lung-related issues.
She also spoke about spiritual points, including one known as The Heavenly Vessel. When activated, some people experience a sudden emotional release, even crying. Jan described it as emptying a cup that has become too full of loss—an image that felt both profound and deeply human.
Women’s Health, Fertility and Pregnancy
I was especially struck by how supportive acupuncture can be for women’s health. Jan explained how it can help ease menstrual cramps, regulate hormonal fluctuations, and support the emotional shifts that occur throughout the menstrual cycle.
Acupuncture can also be used safely throughout pregnancy—from managing early symptoms to maintaining balance later on, and even supporting labour when the time comes. Learning how gently and effectively it can be used at every stage really highlighted its holistic nature.
What the First Session Involves
Jan explained that the first session is always about understanding the person as a whole. She asked about my lifestyle, stress levels, daily routines, and any physical or emotional pain I was experiencing.
She then assessed my pulses - three positions on each wrist that correspond to different organs - and checked my tongue, which in East Asian medicine provides clear insights into internal health. She even explained how illness in children can be seen progressing towards the tip of the tongue and retreating again as they recover.
The Needle Moment
Then came the part I had been most nervous about: the needles. To my surprise, they were completely painless. Once they were in place, Jan left me to rest while she explained what she had observed from my assessment.
She mentioned that most people begin to notice changes after two or three sessions, but what really stood out to me was her honesty. If she ever feels acupuncture isn’t the right approach, she will say so—and will instead recommend another Meadows practitioner who may be better suited.
This has been a recurring theme throughout My Journey at Meadows. Each practitioner is highly skilled in their own field but also deeply knowledgeable about the others. They don’t work in isolation; they work as a team. Your wellbeing always comes first, even if that means referring you elsewhere. It truly feels like a hub of kind, talented professionals working together to get to the root of what’s going on.
A New Way of Understanding the Body
The best way I can describe what I learned about acupuncture is through a simple image.
Imagine walking through the woods on an autumn day and coming across a stream blocked with fallen leaves. The water can’t flow properly. So you gently move the leaves aside with a stick, allowing the stream to continue its natural journey.
Acupuncture works in much the same way. The body has channels (like streams!) that connect to our organs and systems. When blockages form, pain, illness or emotional imbalance can arise. The needles help clear those blockages, restoring flow, balance and harmony.
Leaving with more to learn!
I left my session feeling relaxed, grounded, and genuinely curious to learn more. Jan recommended two books—The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk and Can Medicine Be Cured? by Michael Levin—which I’m very much looking forward to reading.
Acupuncture turned out to be far more than I expected. It’s gentle, deeply considered, and grounded in centuries of wisdom. I’m grateful to have experienced it firsthand - and even more excited to continue learning as this journey through Meadows Wellbeing continues.
