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History and Anthropology of MedicineI have had a long interest in ancient and folk medical practices from around the world. Some areas I have looked at include classical Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Babylonian traditions, medieval European and Middle Eastern medicine, central American Aztec and Mayan practices, Siberian shamanism, Indian vital spot therapies and traditional African folk healing. My particular focus has been on the potential mechanisms of traditional healing across systems, how they worked in their original settings, how they are adapting to today's modern, scientific, globalised world and what things might have been lost in their attempts to do so. As modern society increasingly deals with complex, chronic health issues there is great potential for therapies which guide us towards health instead of drastic interventions at the last moment. |
Body ArtClosely connected with anthropology of medicine is the practice of body art. I have studied the ways people manipulate and modify their bodies and minds from all over the world, at one time working in the piercing and tattooing industry where I witnessed the resurgence of these practices in the west first hand. Medicine is both an art and a science and while there is much science supporting acupuncture, it is often lacking in precise protocols giving rise to many styles, which are where the art begins. Similar to the Buddhist sand mandalas in the way they are created and discarded, an acupuncture protocol is a work of art created on a person's body that is designed to resonate with that particular individual's needs at that time, only to be removed and discarded afterwards. |
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Martial ArtsI have practised martial arts throughout my life for physical fitness and mental discipline including Karate, Aikido, Muay Thai, Jujitsu, Kendo and archery. I currently practice Yang style Tai Chi including empty hand and weapon skills which I have been doing since 2014. These give me practical insights into how the body moves which informs the way I assess movement, devise treatments and think about exercises. I do not offer tuition but can put people in touch with my instructors. |
Chinese History and PhilosophyIn order to understand acupuncture properly it is necessary to understand the context in which it has been practised in the past and how it has developed up to the modern day. Since I consider it to be an art of stimulation, and stimulation is never without interpretation, it is important to understand the meanings given to each action so we can decide if and how they should be applied to each person. To achieve this I maintain an interest in the history and culture of pre-modern China, especially in relation to its belief systems and attitudes towards the body. My favourite periods are the time between 6th century BC to the 10th century AD, when most of the earliest texts of medicine and philosophy were written. I am especially interested when an ancient text describes an idea or a method that has fallen out of use but newer models of biology and psychology indicate may have been more accurate or effective than the current popular practices. |
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WritingI always enjoyed creative writing when I was young and wanted to be a writer. As I got older I learned how to organise my thoughts into a clear arguments for essays at university. I still like to maintain this skill, putting thoughts I have into informal essays in order to clarify my position and ensure I have a record to reference in future. My writings have been published in professional and academic journals, public websites and university research portals. A list of my publications is available here. |
