About

Gillie graduated from The International College of Oriental Medicine (ICOM) with a first-class licentiate. She combines seeing patients at ICOM with clinics at the Pickering cancer drop-in centre in Tunbridge Wells and the MacMillan centre at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead.

She sees acupuncture as complementary rather than alternative medicine and takes an active interest in conventional medical understandings of ill health. Her training involved a comprehensive education in anatomy and physiology, which she continues to build on. She is particularly interested in neurology, which - in its denial of any objective dichotomy of mind and body - has some parallels with the holistic understanding of Chinese medicine.

However, as many people contend with conditions that significantly compromise their quality of life, yet struggle to get any support from mainstream medical services, she feels that acupuncture has a growing role to play in our society. It is able to address issues such as insomnia, anxiety and menopausal symptoms, as well as the pain associated with arthritis or back strain, without the risk of side effects or dependence associated with some medications. It can also support individuals with the side effects of medication when they do need the support of allopathic medicine, either as a result of cancer or other acute or chronic illnesses. It can fill the void when conventional treatment ends, and individuals are left to deal with the psychological and physical consequences of traumatic illness or injury.

Gillie is actively engaged in continued professional development (CPD), both in a practical setting and online. She has taken practical workshops in facial rejuvenation acupuncture as well as lower back disorders, and has taken online CPD courses in the treatment of hot flushes, peripheral neuropathy and anxiety.

Gillie values her relationships with patients and enjoys working with them to alleviate their symptoms and improve their sense of well-being.