Tom Brydon-Smith

Tom graduated in 2004 from the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine in Reading. Following on from this, he was asked to stay to assist in treating patients in the college's public clinic where he now runs one of his private practices. Tom is an integrated practitioner trained in both Traditional Chinese medicine and the Five Element system. He is passionate about Five Element acupuncture and has undergone further training.

Tom's background is in medical science and he has an honours degree in Pathobiology. He worked in the science industry for several years before training as an acupuncturist. Tom is particularly interested in working with fertility, pregnancy, childbirth and paediatrics. He says ‘There are so many rewarding aspects of my work but enabling patients to conceive and enjoy a healthy pregnancy is one of the most fulfilling’.

Treatments
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a completely natural form of medicine. It works on the premise that the body functions as a whole system and providing the energy within the body is kept in a natural balanced flow, good health will be maintained. The word energy is also sometimes referred to as Qi but in everyday layman’s language, this simply means how well you fight off infection, take sufficient strength from your food, or have enough physical energy to participate in a happy and well-rounded lifestyle. Illness is understood to arise when this natural flow of Qi or energy becomes blocked or compromised as a result of various lifestyle factors including: emotional states, stress, diet, overwork, family health, weather conditions, infections and injuries. By using fine needles inserted into specific points, the body’s own natural healing process can be stimulated by way of meridians, lines that interconnect to organs and tissue deep within the body.

What's Involved?
The bigroom acupuncture concept
The bigroom is a communal therapy space where more than one patient can be treated at a time. Several therapists are involved and divide their time between clients. The economy of this unique way of practice significantly reduces costs and treatments become more affordable and available to those in a lower income bracket. Initially patients receive a private individual consultation with a practitioner. If the patient agrees, the recommended course of treatments will be conducted in the big room at a third of the cost of individual sessions. Private acupuncture sessions will still be offered as an alternative. Patients will be introduced to the communal space and its facilities. They are then free to make an informed choice. Acceptable levels of privacy and confidentiality are constantly maintained.