Unlock your body’s natural ability to heal.
Welcome to
Acupuncture!
Discover the gentle power of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Five Element style of acupuncture. This ancient practice works holistically to help regulate the body's flow of energy (Qi) in order to restore, promote and maintain good health. Tap into centuries of accumulated wisdom and restore your body’s inherent healing mechanisms.
About Me
I am a licensed acupuncturist and a registered member of the British Acupuncture Council. I obtained my degree (first-class BSc (Hons) Lic. Ac.) from the renowned College of Integrated Chinese Medicine. I keep up to date through a commitment to continuing professional development. I am undertaking a postgraduate diploma in Gynaecology, Fertility, and Obstetrics.
My passion for Chinese Medicine was first sparked during my fertility journey when I found it an incredibly gentle but powerful tool for regaining balance in my hormones, while supporting my overall well-being on a deep level. I was amazed when I fell pregnant only two months after starting treatment. My darling daughter was the life-changing result and set me on a path to learning more about this profound form of medicine.
What I enjoy most about acupuncture is seeing patients improve in ways they didn’t even know were possible. I also love how diagnosing each patient is a bit like solving a puzzle and my job is to search for the diagnostic clues that help me pull together a coherent picture. In my spare time I enjoy practicing qi gong, tai chi, yoga and jive dancing.
Find balance and restore equilibrium
Book an appointment
My clinic is open on Monday and Wednesday. I offer acupuncture treatments in Dartington, Totnes on the beautiful Dartington Hall Estate.
For our first appointment, please allow 90 minutes to enable you to fully describe your symptoms, medical history and current state of body/mind functioning. This facilitates a thorough and detailed diagnosis. The first appointment will also include a treatment. For follow-up appointments please allow 60 minutes, although they may sometimes be shorter.
Please note that any cancellations with less than 24 hours notice will be charged at the full appointment rate.
Acupuncture Treatment
Acupuncture is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine that has been practised and refined for thousands of years, resulting in a complex and detailed understanding of the body. Acupuncture is based on the principle that illness and pain arise when the body's natural equilibrium is disrupted. Through the stimulation of specific pathways or meridians that traverse the body, acupuncture activates the body's inherent healing abilities and re-establishes balance. Acupuncture embraces the interconnection of mind, body and spirit. Treatments are tailored to each individual, focusing on the person rather than the illness, ensuring a diagnosis that addresses the root of the problem rather than just the current symptoms.
What happens during treatment?
In your first session, we will have a detailed discussion about your condition and your health history. I will ask questions about all the systems in your body, including your diet, lifestyle and mental wellbeing. I will then look at your tongue and feel pulses on your wrists. All this information is collated to form a Chinese Medicine diagnosis and bespoke treatment.
Following an initial diagnosis, very fine, single-use needles are inserted into specific points along the acupuncture channels. Points are chosen depending on the diagnosis and needs of the individual. Some needles are left in for between 10 - 30 mins, and some are removed directly after insertion. The needles work to correct imbalances in the flow of energy and improve circulation, ultimately restoring health and balance. People often report a feeling of well-being and relaxation after treatment.
Your treatment may also involve other traditional Chinese medicine techniques, including cupping, gua sha, moxibustion and dietary and lifestyle advice, discussed below.
“Illnesses may be identical but the people suffering with them are different.”
Xu Dachun (1693-1771)
Cupping and Gua Sha
Cupping is a therapeutic technique using glass cups to create suction on the skin. Gua sha involves applying oil and using a rounded tool to gently scrape the skin. Both techniques release fascia and muscle tension, release trapped pathogens and reduce inflammation, while encouraging greater circulation to the area.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion or “Moxa” is the method of burning a special herb (Mugwort /Artemesia vulgaris) over an acupuncture point or area of the body to bring therapeutic warmth into that area. It tonifies and warms the channels, relaxes the muscles and allows the healing properties of the herb to enter the skin. This is a very gentle and nourishing treatment.
Dietary and Lifestyle Advice
One of the cornerstones of good health is a nourishing diet and lifestyle. This will look different for each individual depending on their constitutional imbalances. I’ll work in partnership with you to explore different ways of eating and living that facilitate the healing process, with the aim of moving you towards a permanently improved state of well-being long after our course of treatment is over.
Experience it for yourself
Whether you seek to restore harmony in your body or find relief from troubling symptoms, I am here to support you. Let’s work together to restore your healthy equilibrium.
Fees
Initial Phone Consultation (15 mins) - Free
First Appointment (90 mins) - £70
Follow-up Appointments (60 mins) - £50
FAQs
What should I do to prepare?
Please wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing as this will make it easier to access the relevant areas of the body (many acupuncture points are on the arms, legs, back and torso). Try to eat a light meal a couple of hours prior to treatment and drink plenty of water before and after treatment.
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture with a qualified professional is one of the safest forms of healthcare you can choose. In rare situations responses to treatment can sometimes include tiredness or mild dizziness, and very occasionally minor bruising may occur. However, all such reactions are short-lived. All acupuncture needles are single-use, sterile, and disposable.
What is your cancellation policy?
If appointments are cancelled with less than 24 hours notice, payment of the full price of the appointment will be required.
How many treatments will I need?
Acupuncture treatment plans are all unique to each patient and the number of sessions will vary depending on your condition. As a general rule, acute conditions may require fewer sessions, whereas a long-standing illness may take longer to improve. I would generally recommend treatment for a minimum of 4-6 sessions but each person’s needs are different.
What does it feel like?
When the needle is inserted you may feel a small scratch followed by one of a number of mild sensations: tingling, warmth, pulling, mild numbness or dull aching. All of these sensations are normal and subside quickly. Many patients report feeling a sense of relaxation during treatment and many even fall asleep.
Common reasons to seek treatment?
- Chronic pain
- Headaches/migraines
- Anxiety and stress
- Musculoskeletal issues
- Gynaecological problems (e.g., periods, menopause)
- Fertility (male and female)
- Digestive issues
- Insomnia
- Arthritis
Contact info
Phone: 07745 937714
Email: rachel.mccaslin33@gmail.com
Questions are very welcome. It’s important for you to feel good about your choice of acupuncturist. I offer a complimentary 10-15 minute phone consultation to discuss whether I am a good fit for your situation.
You are also welcome to fill in the form below to find out more. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Location
Room 16, Blacklers
Park Road, Dartington Hall
Totnes, TQ9 6EQ
Hours
Mon 9:30am-5pm
Wed 9:30am–7:30pm
Parking
There is parking directly across the street from the Blacklers building in the Aller Park car park, which is pay-to-park.
(an annual parking pass is also available to be purchased as an add-on to any Dartington Estate membership).
Testimonials
Evidence that acupuncture is effective
A rapidly growing body of research supports and validates acupuncture from a Western viewpoint. For further information on the existing evidence for various conditions, please see the following resources: