Who am I?

Hi, I'm Kathy Hitchens.  Welcome to Balancing Acupuncture.  I have a diploma in Traditional Five Element Acupuncture (Dip.Ac).  I am also qualified in Facial Enhancement Acupuncture and I have the FHT Level 3 certificates in Anatomy & Physiology and Pathology.

Many acupuncturists have followed a different career path before re-training to learn acupuncture. I was a structural engineer for 25 years but was looking for something more fulfilling that didn't involve the endless pressure of deadlines, and for me that meant helping other people.  I'd been having acupuncture for several years starting just before I turned 40 when I had a wobble about reaching that milestone and I heard about Facial Enhancement Acupuncture.  I was sceptical at first but decided there must be something in an ancient technique that's been around for over 2000 years.  I realised that no matter how stressed or run down I was at the start of an acupuncture treatment, I always felt better afterwards.  But I didn't know why.

So I studied Five Element Acupuncture at the International College of Acupuncture in Truro, Cornwall and became fascinated with the 5 element concept of living in balance with the ever-changing natural world around us.  I was taught by Michael Baker, an experienced acupuncturist and lecturer from Oxfordshire and Paul Adkins, an acupuncturist in Truro and founder of Facial Enhance which is a cosmetic acupuncture treatment practised in over 40 countries.  I'm proud to have graduated with a distinction.  I then went on to complete the facial acupuncture course taught by Paul Adkins and I'm committed to continually expanding my knowledge and understanding of the many ways in which acupuncture can be used as an alternative therapy.

I started Balancing Acupuncture in Cornwall to help people improve their health and wellbeing. I believe acupuncture can treat all aspects affecting the body, mind and spirit by balancing our internal energy to overcome the cause of the problem and heal our symptoms.  Book an appointment with me and let me help you to improve and balance your health with acupuncture.

Membership

I am a member of The Acupuncture Society (MAcS) and also the Acupuncture Association (MAA), which is under the umbrella of the British Acupuncture Federation (RBAF). As a member of these organisations I am regulated by their rules, ethics and code of conduct.

What clients have said

Acupuncture has improved my life. My treatment experience with Kathy has been excellent. Not only because Kathy has provided other alternative treatment options which is always great but because she has dealt with the core of the issue, healed it and rebalance energy levels & confidence. I can truly recommend her acupuncture practice and utmost professionalism.
Esther

I had horrendous pregnancy migraines that weren't responding to any conventional treatment. As a last hope, my GP suggested acupuncture. I cannot recommend Kathy highly enough - not sure how I would have made it through pregnancy and postpartum without her treatment and support. Professional, kind and effective.
Alena

Highly recommended. Kathy has made a real difference to my neck and back pain.
Sarah

I hurt my achilles, quite badly, in October 2021 (running) and had sciatica in my back in December. By June this year I was hobbling more than walking, couldn't run at all and was struggling to get out of a chair due to the twinging pain in my back. I went to see Kathy after being recommended acupuncture by a few friends. To be honest I was quite sceptical that it would help but I'd tried physio and sports massage etc with no real improvement. I did a lot of online research before choosing Balancing Acupuncture and am glad I did. Kathy is very professional and will put you at your ease quickly. The treatment room is a very calming environment and easy to find in Truro. 5 sessions over 2 months later and both my achilles and back are 95% pain free. The relief in my achilles was almost instant after the first session and although the stiffness came back a little bit before session 2, it has improved after each session and this morning I can honestly say there's no pain or stiffness at all. I walked 120km in a week around Birmingham at the Commonwealth games and 10km last week along the coast path to Newquay with no issues. My back is also 95% better although it took until session 3 before I noticed a real difference. I wish I'd come to see Kathy much earlier than June this year. It was the best decision I've made in a long time and I can't recommend Kathy and Balancing Acupuncture highly enough.
Gail

I visited Kathy with a very painful back and had been diagnosed with Sciatica. I have not experienced such pain before, but Kathy’s acupuncture treatment has worked wonders. I slept better that night than I had done for over a week and the following day I was more mobile and in far less pain. I do understand that I will require more sessions to fully alleviate the problem but the results from my first session have been very encouraging.
Peter

I highly recommend Balancing Acupuncture. I had been experiencing a lot of stress built up over several months and fatigue from a bout of flu. Kathy helped rebalance me, bringing calm to my busy mind, relieving headaches and body pain, and reenergising my body. She has such a lovely, gentle approach and is genuinely interested in finding where she can be of assistance. I love all the beautiful details Kathy has brought into the therapy room, making it a wonderful space to spend time in to unwind and revitalise.
Michelle

Thank you Kathy. After having acupuncture sessions with you, my knee has greatly improved, after years of pain due to an accident. I’m able to walk almost pain free. Will be back very soon for treatment on my trapped nerve in my shoulder.
Christine

Been suffering from sciatica for along period now. After receiving treatment from Kathy that irritating pins and needles sensation was greatly reduced and I got to enjoy an evening sat comfortably. I will certainly be having more of this.
Richard

I was a sceptic but was proven wrong, thanks to Kathy at Balancing Acupuncture with the improvement of my hands and neck I look forward to  sessions each week.
Derek

Kathy is absolutely brilliant, I had treatments when she was training and have continued having treatment on a back issue, I cannot recommend Kathy enough, she is very reassuring, listens to your issues and deals with them accordingly, I always respond well to the 5 element treatment and always feel much better after treatment. The treatment room is very relaxing.
Tricia

Wonderful- would highly recommend!
Lian