Dr Maggie Ju
Acupuncture London
07944930253
Belgravia and Notting Hill ​​
Pain Relief: headaches, jaw pain, neck pain, shoulder pain back pain hip pain and groin pain knee pain vulvodynia UTI and bladder pain pelvic pain nerve pain arthritis elbow pain hand and wrist pain eye pain ear pain
Fertility and Miscarriage: infertility, miscarriage, high FSH, low AMH, short luteal phase, low progesterone, IVF support PCOS POF endometriosis
Antiaging and skin care: facial rejuvenation wrinkle reduction face lift skin tightening pore reduction neck lines skin smoothing, puffy face skin moisturizing collagen production
Dr Maggie Ju Acupuncture Treatment:
Efficient, Natural, Gentle, Pain Free, Noninvasive, Minimal side effects
Dr Wei is a registered GP who works in both NHS and private sectors for many years. She is passionate about acupuncture and specializes at pain relief and fertility treatment with acupuncture.
​She holds an MBBS degree in Medicine from Imperial Collage London---a world-leading university for medicine. Dr Wei offers acupuncture treatment for pain relief and fertility. She is a member of British Medical Acupuncture Society.
​
The British Medical Acupuncture Society was formed in 1980 as an association of medical practitioners interested in acupuncture.
The BMAS promotes the use of acupuncture as a therapy following orthodox (ie Western) medical diagnosis by suitably trained practitioners.
Why do you get chronic pain
Chronic pain happens when pain signals in the nervous system keep firing for weeks, months, or even years, even after an injury has healed or when there’s no clear cause. Normally, pain is a warning signal that something is wrong, but with chronic pain, that system malfunctions and stays “switched on.”
Common reasons people develop chronic pain include:
1, Past injury or surgery – damaged nerves or tissue can keep sending pain signals long after healing.
2, Nerve damage (neuropathy) – from conditions like diabetes, shingles, or trauma.
3, Chronic illnesses – such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraine, endometriosis, inflammatory bowel disease, or multiple sclerosis.
4, Changes in the nervous system – sometimes the brain and spinal cord become more sensitive to pain signals (“central sensitization”), amplifying pain.
5, Poor healing or ongoing stress – unresolved inflammation, poor sleep, and high stress can worsen pain perception.
6, Unknown causes – in some cases, the origin of chronic pain isn’t fully understood.
What happens in both the body and the brain when acute pain turns into chronic pain:
In the Body
1, Nerve Injury or Ongoing Irritation
Normally, nerves send a pain signal to alert you of damage.
If nerves are injured, they can become “overactive” and keep firing signals even after the tissue has healed.
2, Inflammation
In conditions like arthritis or autoimmune diseases, inflammation produces chemical messengers (cytokines, prostaglandins) that keep stimulating pain nerves.
This can make the area hypersensitive.
3, Peripheral Sensitization
Nerves at the site of injury start responding to things that normally wouldn’t hurt (like light touch or mild pressure).
Basically, the threshold for triggering pain is lowered.
In the Spinal Cord
1, Amplification of Pain Signals
The spinal cord acts as a “gateway” for pain messages before they reach the brain.
With chronic pain, the gateway becomes too permissive — it boosts signals instead of filtering them.
2, Glial Cell Activation
Support cells in the spinal cord (glia) release chemicals that increase inflammation and sensitivity.
This keeps the pain cycle going.
In the Brain
1, Central Sensitization
The brain rewires itself so that pain pathways are reinforced — like a “memory” of pain that’s hard to unlearn.
Over time, the brain treats normal sensations as painful.
2, Involvement of Multiple Regions
Pain isn’t just processed in the sensory cortex (which tells you where it hurts).
It also activates:
The limbic system (emotions) → making pain feel more distressing.
The prefrontal cortex (thinking) → causing worry, rumination.
The reward system → reducing natural pain-relief chemicals like endorphins.
3,Stress & Mood Feedback Loop
Stress hormones (like cortisol) can heighten pain sensitivity.
Anxiety, depression, and poor sleep strengthen pain circuits, making the experience worse.
In short:
The body keeps sending danger signals (even without real danger).
The spinal cord amplifies them instead of filtering.
The brain learns to expect and interpret signals as pain, reinforcing the cycle.
How chronic pain affect your body and wellness
Chronic pain affects much more than the part of your body that hurts — it can impact your entire physical, emotional, and social well-being. Here’s how:
Physical Effects
Muscle tension & weakness: Pain often leads to less movement, which can cause stiffness, muscle loss, and reduced flexibility.
Sleep disturbances: Many people with chronic pain struggle with insomnia or poor-quality sleep, which worsens fatigue and pain sensitivity.
Weakened immune system: Ongoing pain can keep your body in a stress response, lowering immunity.
Hormonal imbalances: Constant pain may affect stress hormones like cortisol, influencing metabolism, blood sugar, and blood pressure.
Reduced mobility & endurance: Pain often makes exercise or even daily activities difficult, which may contribute to deconditioning.
Mental & Emotional Effects
Stress and anxiety: Anticipating or experiencing pain keeps your nervous system on high alert.
Depression: Feeling limited, isolated, or hopeless about relief can contribute to depression.
Cognitive challenges ("brain fog"): Pain can make it harder to concentrate, remember things, or stay mentally sharp.
Social & Lifestyle Impacts
Reduced independence: Pain can interfere with work, hobbies, or self-care.
Strained relationships: Friends and family may not always understand, leading to frustration on both sides.
Isolation: Avoiding activities or social events can increase loneliness.
Wellness & Quality of Life
Chronic pain is not just a symptom — it can become its own condition that affects overall wellness. The ongoing stress response may contribute to other health issues like cardiovascular disease, digestive problems, or obesity.
Acupuncture can help managing chronic pain effectively.​
​
Understanding Infertility: Causes, Challenges, and Hope
Infertility is a deeply personal and often misunderstood condition that affects millions of individuals and couples worldwide. It is generally defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse. While many associate infertility solely with women, it is important to recognize that it can affect both men and women equally, and in some cases, no clear cause can be found.
Causes of Infertility
In Women
Ovulation disorders: Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid imbalances, or premature ovarian insufficiency can disrupt egg release.
Blocked fallopian tubes: Often a result of pelvic infections, endometriosis, or previous surgeries.
Uterine abnormalities: Fibroids, polyps, or congenital malformations can make implantation difficult.
Age-related decline: Fertility naturally decreases after age 35 due to reduced egg quality and quantity.
In Men
Low sperm count or poor motility: Issues with sperm number, shape, or movement are among the most common male factors.
Hormonal imbalances: Problems with testosterone or other hormones can interfere with sperm production.
Genetic conditions: Chromosomal abnormalities or inherited disorders can impact fertility.
Lifestyle factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol use, obesity, and exposure to toxins can all reduce sperm quality.
Unexplained Infertility
In about 10–20% of cases, standard tests show no clear reason for infertility. This can be especially frustrating, but advances in reproductive medicine continue to provide new insights and options.
