Milton Park, Abingdon
Watchfield, Swindon
Dr Fiona Garrett Ryan
MA (Oxon) MBBS MRCGP DipMedAc
I have been a GP for over 20 years, but prior to this I did a psychology degree at Oxford University.
Having done my medical then GP training in Oxford then London, I realised early in my career that conventional treatments had many side-effects and it was difficult to provide effective and holistic care for common conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, migraine, fertility problems, eczema and chronic or complex pain.
Having seen acupuncture transform the health of a close family member, I was excited to discover the British Medical Acupuncture Society. I completed the Diploma in Medical Acupuncture in 2003 with great enthusiasm and have never looked back. Since then, I have integrated acupuncture within my GP work and am consistently inspired by the results and feedback from patients. I still work as a GP both in the NHS and the private sector.
Now that my children are older, I have embraced the opportunity to bring acupuncture into a standalone setting, with the time and continuity to provide truly individualised care for those who are not finding all the answers they seek with conventional medicine, or who just want to optimise health and wellbeing. I always wear my 'GP hat' which allows me to understand, respect and support conventional medical care. My background allows me to integrate acupuncture safely alongside other treatments and, importantly, to recognise when further medical input is needed and acupuncture may not be the best route.
Longer appointments also allow me to look at the bigger picture patients bring - including emotional wellbeing, sleep, nutrition, stress and exercise - rather than focusing only on the physical symptoms. My aim is to provide thoughtful, compassionate, evidence-informed care that supports both physical and emotional wellbeing.
I have always loved the fact that acupuncture is so safe and free of the unwanted side effects of so many drugs. It is also an incredibly versatile treatment and a few needles can have beneficial effects on a host of symptoms - ranging from back pain to anxiety to IBS!The science behind acupuncture is fascinating and much better understood than many people realise. I find it amazing that what modern scientific understanding now guides us to do with our needles usually turns out to be remarkably similar to what the Chinese worked out by observation 3,000 years ago! But many patients value the assurance that symptoms are being overseen by a medically qualified professional who is able to understand and integrate conventional medical treatment and, importantly, recognise when symptoms might indicate a problem which requires further investigation.