Jane Robinson, M.Ac, MBAcC Acupuncturist

• IIn 1976 Jane was about to embark on a medical degree - she was working as a research assistant at a hospital in Oxford at the time - when her consultant rheumatologist ‘boss’ became interested in Acupuncture, so he decided to train. He returned after the first weekend and persuaded her that this was the medicine of the future. She joined the course and never looked back. Sadly he was threatened by the BMA that he must stop the course - how times have changed!

Her initial training was a 3 year course at The College of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture in Leamington Spa, under Jack (JR) Worsley.

In 1990 she did a further training in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) over 4 years with John and Angela Hicks, and since 1993 has been a member of the staff of their exemplary College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, teaching, tutoring and supervising dissertations.

She has continued to be involved in research, with the South West Acupuncture Research Group (SWARG) under the guidance of Dr Charlotte Paterson.

Jane has made 2 visits to China, in 1980 and again in 2004 when she worked under Dr Wang in a hospital in Nanjing. “It was great to have an opportunity to see how Chinese Medicine is used within their health service - the experience considerably enriched my practice”.

She has completed post-graduate courses in Chinese Patent Herbal Medicines, Chinese dietary therapy, dermatology, gynaecology, fertility and supporting IVF, paediatrics, depression. She particularly enjoys using acupuncture to assist childbirth.

She has practised Qi Gong (or Chi Kung) for the past 18 years, more recently training with Bruce Frantzis and Tai Chi with Angus Clark. She teaches Qi Gong to patients and uses it to maintain her own health with its combination of physical movement and meditative stillness.

In 2004 Jane completed a course with Isobel Cosgrove at Spectrum in London for Supervision/Mentoring Complementary Health Professionals. She belongs to an ongoing Supervision group, and now offers Mentoring/Supervision for individuals or groups. “I believe that making opportunities for reflective time within our practices is extremely important for both ourselves and indirectly for our patients”.

Jane founded the Acupuncture Clinic above Ceres in Princes Street, Yeovil in 1979 with Lesley Jenkins, before they moved to The Avenue in 1989 and now to 70 Hendford in 2007.

British Acupuncture Council: www.acupuncture.org.uk

College of Integrated Chinese Medicine: www.cicm.org

Bruce Frantzis: www.energyarts.com

Angus Clarke:www.livingmovement.com