A gentle, evidence-informed and deeply holistic approach to treating dysfunction and restoring health, for the whole body and mind.

With over 16 years of clinical experience, Sarah practises classical acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at the Hong Tao Clinic in Marlow, Pinner and Thame, supporting people with a wide range of conditions, from pain, stress and digestive issues, to hormonal imbalance, pregnancy symptoms and reproductive concerns.

Our approach is grounded in the long-established principles of Chinese medicine, combined with a modern understanding of how the body functions, heals and responds to stress. Every treatment is tailored, thoughtful and centred on restoring balance in the body’s internal systems, so optimal health and function can return naturally.

The Theory Behind Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional acupuncture treatment promoting natural health and wellbeing

Yin and Yang describe the dynamic balance within the body: warmth and coolness, activity and rest, nourishment and movement. When these forces are in harmony, health flows naturally. When they become disrupted, through stress, illness, exhaustion, trauma or lifestyle factors, dis-ease occurs, symptoms begin to appear and dysfunction happens. Acupuncture and TCM work by gently restoring this balance, supporting your body’s own ability to heal and regulate itself.

With acupuncture and Chinese medicine, physical, emotional, hormonal and digestive health all influence one another interdependently, and rather than treating symptoms in isolation, TCM identifies the root cause behind why all these symptoms develop in the first place.

This approach helps to:

regulate pain and inflammation
calm the nervous system
support digestion and nutrient absorption
balance hormones naturally
strengthen overall resilience
improve sleep and emotional wellbeing

Many people come for treatment because they feel “out of balance”, whilst others come to treat specific Western-medicine-diagnosed diseases. TCM gives a framework to understand why, and how to correct the body’s systemic dysfunction, gently and effectively.

Traditional Chinese Medicine views the body as an intelligent, interconnected network where physical, emotional and energetic systems constantly influence one another. Rather than separating symptoms into isolated problems, TCM looks at how these systems interact, rooted in the classical yin–yang philosophy.

Conditions Commonly Treated

Pain & Musculoskeletal

Back pain, neck tension, sciatica, joint issues, frozen shoulder, sports injuries.

Stress, Mood & Sleep

Anxiety, overwhelm, burnout, insomnia, nervous system dysregulation.

Digestive Health

Bloating, IBS, sluggish digestion, acid reflux, sluggish metabolism.

Women’s Health

Irregular cycles, PMS, painful or heavy periods, peri-menopause.

Fertility & Reproductive Medicine

Natural fertility support, menstrual health, IVF/IUI support, early pregnancy symptoms and post-natal recovery.

General Health

Migraines, allergies, fatigue, immune weakness, recurrent illness.

What the World Health Organisation Says About Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises acupuncture as an effective therapeutic approach for a wide range of conditions. Their evidence-based lists includes:

musculoskeletal pain (neck, back, shoulder, knee, sciatica)
migraines and tension headaches
nausea and vomiting (including pregnancy-related)
allergies and sinus issues
stress, anxiety and sleep disorders
digestive conditions (IBS, bloating, functional discomfort)
menstrual and hormonal irregularities
fertility and reproductive health
labour preparation and post-natal recovery

These general categories and global acknowledgment reflects what many patients experience: acupuncture can be gentle, safe and deeply effective for a wide range of conditions and diseases.

A Natural School of Medicine for Modern Life

Whilst modern medicine may excel at acute care, many people still find themselves struggling with symptoms that feel “functional,” unexplained or linked to stress, lifestyle or poor hormonal rhythms – not just those associated with reproduction, but thyroid and adrenal hormones. TCM bridges this gap by interpreting signs and symptoms as part of a much wider internal pattern. It is a complete school of medicine where acupuncture often forms the basis, with additional TCM treatments and therapies to supplement and support.

Your treatment may include:

classical acupuncture
Chinese herbal medicine (where appropriate)
moxibustion
electro-acupuncture
cupping
TDP lamp therapy
lifestyle, nutrition and cycle-based guidance

The aim is always the same: restore healthy function so your body can do what it’s meant to do and perform at its most optimal.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in Marlow, Thame and Pinner

Why Patients Choose Sarah and the Hong Tao Clinic

People often come to the Hong Tao Clinic when they feel unheard, unsupported or stuck between conventional advice and persistent symptoms. They choose us clinic because:

Sarah holds a First-Class Honours degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and was awarded the Prize for Excellence in TCM Studies in 2009
She has over 16 years of experience in private clinical acupuncture practice
She holds post-graduate training in fertility, pregnancy and gynaecological conditions and is a regular guest speaker at The Fertility Show in London (2022, 2023, 2024)
She has contributed articles to the British Acupuncture Council
Treatments are calm, considered and firmly rooted in classical TCM principles
Sessions are personalised: no templates, no rushed appointments, no one-size-fits-all protocols

Whether you are coming for pain relief, digestive issues, chronic health conditions, hormonal support, pregnancy care or simply to feel more balanced, the treatment approach is always tailored to your whole body, not just your symptoms.

Your First Visit – What to Expect

Your first appointment includes:

an in-depth health review
pulse and tongue diagnosis
exploration of symptoms, lifestyle and stress factors
an explanation of the underlying TCM pattern
your first acupuncture treatment
personalised recommendations for what will help you feel better, faster

Treatments are comfortable, gentle and designed to leave you feeling calmer, clearer and more grounded.