Sarah Vine: The Therapy That Always Saves My Sanity

It’s more powerful than therapy or drugs to balance emotions during turbulent times says Sarah Vine.  Here she describes how acupuncture changed her life.

“The only time I’ve ever experienced a similar feeling of bliss is when I’ve been given morphine”

The Culture Trip – The Best Acupuncturists in London

The Best Acupuncturists in London
For fertility treatment: Justine Hankin

Specialising in fertility issues, Fulham-based Justine Hankin is the woman to meet if you’re having trouble conceiving and want to do so the natural way. With reviews praising her near-therapist attitude toward clients, her gentle nature, a wealth of knowledge and acute intuition, Justine’s skills not only boast multiple success stories but also come highly recommended by some of the city’s most influential publications.

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Who: Justine Hankin
Why: Acupuncturist Justine’s number has been passed between friends suffering from fertility issues
Contact: The Fulham Medical Centre, 446 Fulham Road, London; 07973 655 527; info@justinehankin.co.uk
Recommended by: Tory Kingdon, Town & Country online editor

Sarah Vine takes Dr Chatterjee, the BBC’s Doctor in the House, to meet her Acupuncturist

After coffee, Dr Chatterjee accompanies me to see my acupuncturist, Justine Hankin. The joy of Justine is that she explains everything so clearly and so simply.

There’s none of the mumbo-jumbo often associated with alternative practitioners (if you consider acupuncture alternative: personally, I don’t).

I suppose she’s my very own Dr Chatterjee, except she’s trained in Chinese medicine, not Western.

Imogen Edwards-Jones, author of Hotel Babylon, revisits the acupuncturist who got her through her IVF

Just over ten years ago now, when I was on my knees and my very narrow, miserable, dark world was about to kill me, I met an amazing woman. I was riding the appalling rollercoaster that is IVF and an acupuncturist, Justine Hankin, came to my rescue. Oddly, when you are injecting your own arse cheeks with progesterone, jabbing your own thighs and stomach with daily shots of clexane (blood thinner) while shovelling down the steroids and having a nine hour plasma transfusion, turns out what you really need is MORE needles.

Louisa van den Bergh of Lulubaby on how to maintain a healthy and happy pregnancy

ACUPUNCTURE: Many of our mums-to-be find acupuncture to be one of the most successful all-round treatments for general wellbeing. More research needs to be done, but some studies have shown acupuncture to help alleviate morning sickness, reduce back and pelvic girdle pain, improve sleep, help to turn breech babies and even reduce the second stage of labour. It can also help relax, de-stress and re-energise. Perfect! Try Justine Hankin or Emma Cannon both of whom are pregnancy experts.

Prepare yourself for the final trimester with Louisa van den Bergh of Lulubaby’s guide

“…Back pain is also common during this time, and is caused by both weight gain and the hormone relaxin, which your body releases in preparation for labour. If you are suffering, pay particular attention to your posture when both standing and sitting, and try to avoid doing either for long periods of time. In some studies, acupuncture has also been shown to help. I recommend Justine Hankin and Emma Cannon who are both pregnancy experts.”

Shall I be a mother? This week: awaiting the great divide
Imogen Edwards Jones

I spend the afternoon with my acupuncturist, Justine Hankin, who is also beginning to take on the role of a shrink. Poor woman. But there are really only so many times that I can call a girlfriend and talk about my womb before even the very best of them tires. Justine gives me some gentle needling, plus moxa (a hot burning stick that is placed close to the skin to warm the blood), and puts some golden beads in my ear, à la Cherie Blair.

This is all designed to help heal my operation scars and make the uterus a more blood-rich, welcoming place for tomorrow’s embryo transfer. Studies have shown that acupuncture before and after transfer can increase the chances of success. At this late stage, quite frankly, anything is welcome.

Shall I be a mother? This week: no crisps, less exercise
Imogen Edwards Jones

Since science hasn’t done the trick, I have now decided that, rather like a lush at the bar, I am open to offers, no matter how weird and wonderful they appear. Anything in any shape, packet or form has got to be worth a try, at least once. I decide that there are a couple of non-negotiables. The first is my acupuncturist, Justine Hankin, whom I love and who really is capable of miracles. And second, I have reached the ripe old age of 36 without having had a conversation with my vagina and I am not about to start now. Everything else, I am prepared to take a punt on.

Shall I be a mother? This week: The inevitable advice: curry and sex
Imogen Edwards Jones

The next day, I return to my wonderful acupuncturist, Justine Hankin, who has been treating me from the very barren beginning. It seems only right and, actually, rather amazing that she is there at the end. It is lovely to see her, and as well as putting needless in interesting places, she also gives me some tips on the birth. She suggests arnica tablets for post birth, some lavender oil on a cold flannel during, and raspberry leaf tea to get the show on the road. She also advises the inevitable: curry and sex.