While studying Neuroscience at University College London (UCL) I started to suffer from insomnia. A friend suggested I try acupuncture and I was blown away by the results. Within six weeks I had no difficulty sleeping. Not only that, but I started to feel more vibrant and happier than ever before.

To find out more I began looking into the scientific literature. For my final project at UCL I designed and carried out a small placebo-controlled trial of acupuncture for pain relief.

I became convinced of its effectiveness above and beyond a mere placebo. I then undertook a three year accredited training at the School of Five Element Acupuncture (SOFEA). This enabled me to become a member of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC).

The more I learned about acupuncture the more I was amazed by its insights into the workings of the human body and mind.

As well as diagnosis and treatment methods, we learned about patients' concerns and fears and how to put people at ease.

I continue to work in the field of acupuncture research. I have been involved in a large review of the evidence for acupuncture's role in the treatment of depression. This was published by the Cochrane Collaboration - a reliable source of evidence in health care.

After eleven years experience of training, research and acupuncture practice I still find myself in awe at the power of acupuncture.

I have seen many people's pain and suffering replaced by happiness and fulfilment.

What I love about Five Element Acupuncture is that it is so simple yet so transformative. You can really see big changes in people lives. Sometimes is seems little short of Magic.

I have been practicing Five Element Acupuncture since 2003 and have a lot of experience treating couples having problems conceiving and also young children and babies.

I first became interested in Five Element Acupuncture when a friend turned me on to it. As soon as I went for treatment I became so interested. I couldn't understand how these little needles could make such a difference to how I felt.

I've worked in a lot of different settings including the Westminster Drug Project, where I helped people with severe drug addictions. It still amazes me how the power of Five Element Acupuncture so deeply impact people's lives.

Maire Talking about Five Element Acupuncture for "What?" Magazine