The Olea Clinic

A little clinic update 🌿

I’ll be taking some annual leave from 11th–19th October to rest and recharge.

I still have a few appointments available before I go for:

• Acupuncture
• Facials
• Skin boosters
• Blood testing
• Vitamin injections

If you would like to book, please send me a message as soon as possible. Availability is limited and appointments will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

Thank you for keeping me so busy and for continuing to support OLEA CLINIC 🤍

Taylor x

Plymouth Wellbeing Centre

Does acupuncture hurt?

It’s one of the most common questions we’re asked — and it’s completely understandable if you feel nervous about needles.

Acupuncture needles are very fine, so treatment often feels different from having an injection. You might notice a brief, tiny pinprick as a needle is inserted, or you may barely feel it at all.

Once the needles are in place, some people notice a mild ache, tingling, warmth or a feeling of heaviness around the point. Everyone experiences acupuncture differently, and you don’t need to feel anything in particular for your treatment to be worthwhile.

You should always feel able to tell your practitioner if something feels uncomfortable. We can adjust or remove a needle, and you can pause or stop your treatment at any time. Your comfort matters.

If you have questions or feel nervous, let us know before your appointment. We’ll talk you through what to expect and take things at your pace.

Plymouth Wellbeing Centre

Introducing Hi,NMN Skin Booster ✨

A new skin-focused treatment at OLEA designed for anyone wanting hydration, radiance and an overall improvement in skin quality.

NMN — nicotinamide mononucleotide — is a compound involved in the body’s production of NAD+, a molecule that plays an important role in cellular energy and normal cell function. You may have heard of NMN in conversations around healthy ageing, although research into its use specifically in skincare is still developing.

The Hi,NMN formula is designed to support:

• hydration for smoother, more supple-looking skin
• skin texture and tone
• a fresher, more radiant complexion
• the appearance of firmness and elasticity
• overall skin quality and renewal

Rather than dramatically changing your features, the aim is healthier-looking skin — hydrated, refreshed and naturally luminous.

I particularly love treatments like this for people who feel their skin looks dull, dehydrated, tired or lacking in bounce, but who still want their skin to look like their skin.

🌿 Hi,NMN Skin Booster — £120

As always, treatment suitability is assessed individually and recommendations are based on your skin, concerns and medical history.

Healthy skin over perfect skin. Always.

More than microneedling 🌿

Our microneedling facial is designed as a complete skin-renewal treatment, combining microneedling, radiofrequency, red light therapy and lifting facial massage in one appointment.

Microneedling uses tiny sterile needles to create controlled micro-channels in the skin. This stimulates the skin’s natural repair response and can help support collagen production, skin texture, tone and the appearance of mild scarring or post-acne marks.

We then combine this with radiofrequency, which uses controlled heat within the skin to support collagen and elastin activity, helping improve the appearance of firmness, texture and overall skin quality.

The treatment also includes red light therapy to support the skin after treatment and complement the renewal process, followed by a lifting facial massage to help release facial tension, encourage circulation and leave the skin feeling refreshed and more sculpted.

This facial can be a lovely option for supporting:

• uneven or rough skin texture
• dull or tired-looking skin
• loss of firmness
• post-acne marks and mild textural scarring
• overall radiance and skin quality
• facial tension and puffiness

I wanted this treatment to feel like more than a quick procedure — combining skin technology with hands-on care and time to properly switch off.

Microneedling facial — £70
Includes radiofrequency, red light therapy and lifting massage.

🌿 Refined texture. Healthier-looking skin. A little time to reset.

Results vary between individuals and a consultation is required to make sure the treatment is appropriate for your skin and medical history.

What is acupuncture? 🌿

Acupuncture is a traditional therapy that involves inserting very fine needles into specific points on the body.

It has been used for thousands of years and is now commonly chosen as part of a wider approach to health and wellbeing. In traditional practice, acupuncture is used to help restore balance within the body, while modern research has explored its effects on areas such as pain, tension, stress, sleep and nervous system regulation.

People may choose acupuncture for many different reasons, including support with:

• muscular tension and aches
• headaches
• stress and feeling overwhelmed
• poor sleep
• nervous system regulation
• general wellbeing and balance

One of the things I love most about acupuncture is that treatment is individualised. Two people with the same symptom may not receive exactly the same treatment, because we also take into account your overall health, history and how things are presenting for you as a whole.

Many people find acupuncture deeply relaxing, while others use it as part of a broader plan to support ongoing symptoms and improve their sense of wellbeing.

At OLEA, acupuncture is approached as gentle, whole-person care — combining traditional knowledge with a thoughtful, modern approach.

🌿 Rooted in tradition. Guided by science.

So… what actually is Qi? 🌿

If you’ve ever looked into acupuncture or Traditional Chinese Medicine, you’ve probably heard the word Qi — sometimes written as Chi.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qi is used to describe the body’s vital energy or functional activity. It’s part of an ancient framework used to understand how different systems of the body relate to one another and how a person’s overall pattern of health is presenting.

Qi is traditionally described as moving through pathways called meridians, and practitioners may talk about Qi being deficient, stagnant or out of balance when assessing someone.

This doesn’t mean Qi is a physical substance that can be seen or measured in the same way as blood, nerves or hormones.

Instead, it’s a traditional concept used to describe patterns involving things like:

• energy and vitality
• digestion
• sleep
• stress and emotional wellbeing
• pain and tension
• temperature and circulation
• overall balance within the body

For example, two people might arrive with the same symptom but, within a Traditional Chinese Medicine assessment, be understood as having very different underlying patterns. That’s one of the reasons acupuncture treatments are often individualised rather than based on symptoms alone.

Modern acupuncture research tends to explore treatment through areas such as the nervous system, pain pathways, local tissue responses and other physiological mechanisms, while traditional practice continues to use concepts such as Qi and meridians.

At OLEA, we like to respect both sides of that conversation — understanding where acupuncture comes from, while also keeping modern anatomy, physiology and evidence in mind.

🌿 Ancient wisdom. Modern care.

What are meridians in acupuncture? 🌿

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, meridians are described as pathways through which Qi flows around the body.

They form part of the traditional framework used by acupuncturists to understand patterns within the body and to decide which acupuncture points may be appropriate for an individual.

There are 12 primary meridians, traditionally associated with different organ systems:

• Lung
• Large Intestine
• Stomach
• Spleen
• Heart
• Small Intestine
• Bladder
• Kidney
• Pericardium
• San Jiao / Triple Heater
• Gallbladder
• Liver

You may also hear your acupuncturist talk about the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) and Du Mai (Governing Vessel), two of the additional channels commonly used in treatment.

Importantly, meridians are part of the traditional Chinese medicine model. They aren’t the same thing as nerves, blood vessels or another anatomical structure that can be physically mapped in the way we map the circulatory system.

Instead, they provide a framework for understanding how different acupuncture points relate to one another and how a practitioner builds an individual treatment plan.

Modern acupuncture research tends to look at things slightly differently — investigating how needling may influence the nervous system, local tissues, pain signalling and other physiological responses.

So when you come for acupuncture at OLEA, you’ll often see us bringing both perspectives together:

🌿 the traditional principles acupuncture has been built around for centuries
🧠 modern understanding of anatomy and physiology
✨ and, most importantly, your individual symptoms and needs

Ancient knowledge. Modern care.

What is Shen Men? 🌿👂

Shen Men — often translated as “Spirit Gate” — is one of the best-known points used in auricular acupuncture, where specific areas of the ear are stimulated as part of treatment.

Within Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shen Men is traditionally associated with calming the mind and settling feelings of restlessness or tension. Because of this, it’s commonly included in auricular treatments designed around relaxation and emotional wellbeing.

You might see Shen Men used alongside other ear points when supporting people experiencing things such as:

• stress and feeling overwhelmed
• difficulty switching off
• restlessness
• disrupted sleep
• emotional tension
• general relaxation and wellbeing

It’s also a point you may recognise from auricular acupuncture protocols such as NADA, where several points in the ear are used together in a quiet, supportive setting.

From a modern research perspective, auricular acupuncture is being studied for its potential effects on areas including stress, pain, sleep and autonomic nervous-system activity, although research is still developing and results vary depending on the condition and treatment protocol.

At OLEA, we don’t think of one acupuncture point as a magic “fix.” Points are chosen as part of a wider, individualised treatment, taking into account what you’re experiencing and what you’d like support with.

Sometimes the simplest part of treatment is simply having permission to sit still, switch off and let someone else look after you for a while. 🌿

Shen Men — a tiny point with a very long history.

What does ferritin actually tell us? 🩸

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body, so checking your ferritin level can give an indication of how much iron you have in reserve.

When those stores start to become depleted, some people may notice symptoms such as:

• increased hair shedding or thinning
• tiredness or reduced energy
• brittle or weak nails
• headaches or feeling light-headed
• reduced exercise tolerance
• looking paler than usual
• difficulty concentrating or feeling generally run down

It’s also possible for ferritin to be low before haemoglobin drops enough for someone to be considered anaemic, so a standard full blood count doesn’t always tell the whole story when it comes to iron stores.

There are many possible reasons for low ferritin, including heavy menstrual bleeding, dietary intake, pregnancy, blood loss and difficulties absorbing iron.

Importantly, these symptoms aren’t specific to low ferritin, and a result should always be considered alongside your symptoms, medical history and any other relevant blood tests.

At OLEA, ferritin can be checked using a simple finger-prick blood test, with a result available in approximately 15 minutes.

Ferritin test: £39

A small piece of information, but one that can sometimes help you understand your health a little better. 🌿

Abnormal results or ongoing symptoms may require further assessment with your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional.

Blood testing can give us valuable insight into what’s happening inside the body — sometimes helping explain symptoms, support wellbeing goals, or simply provide reassurance.

I’m pleased to now be offering rapid in-clinic blood testing with results available in around 15 minutes.

Tests currently available (£39 each):

🩸 AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone)
Used as an indicator of ovarian reserve — this can help provide information about egg reserve and fertility planning.

🩸 Cortisol
Known as the body’s stress hormone, cortisol can fluctuate with stress, sleep, energy levels and overall wellbeing.

🩸 CRP (C-Reactive Protein)
A marker of inflammation in the body. Elevated levels can occur for many different reasons and should always be interpreted in context.

🩸 Cystatin C
A blood marker used to help assess kidney function and may offer additional information alongside other health markers.

🩸 Ferritin
Measures stored iron levels, which can sometimes be relevant when exploring fatigue, energy levels and overall health.

These tests are designed to provide information — they do not replace medical assessment, diagnosis or treatment, but can be a useful starting point for conversations about your health.

More tests will be launching soon 🤍