Ageing Gracefully with Acupuncture and Natural Medicine

by | Oct 19, 2021 | Acupuncture in York

Having cream tea in Cornwall – June 2021

A few months ago, I celebrated a special birthday – my 50th! (July 2021) Check out this page, If you wish to find out more about me.

I feel so lucky to be enjoying good health, a job I love, meaningful and loving human connections, and a passion for life in general.

I’ve been practising Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture for 16 years (the last 10 here in York) in countries all over the world, including onboard a cruise ship.

It’s more than a job for me, it’s a vocation, and I find immense pleasure and satisfaction in supporting people on their path back to optimum health.

For me, good health and graceful ageing are not about popping pills or using the latest anti-ageing creams.

Healthy ageing involves building resilience to stress, eating well (most of the time. Not all of the time! Nobody is perfect!), enjoying regular movement and exercise, having loving and positive interactions with people, animals and nature, and finding joy and purpose in what you do.

Finding my vocation

flight attentant behind plane

Flight attendant – my early twenties

I haven’t always been an Acupuncturist! Back in my early twenties I worked as a flight attendant for British Midland (based in London). After a few years, I moved here to York to study Art History at York University.

My next adventure, in my early thirties, was in Japan where I worked as a Languages teacher (Italian, English and French). It was there that I had my first experience with acupuncture. A colleague recommended I see an Acupuncturist for help with low energy and managing stress.

tiziana bertinotti in japan

Living in Japan – my early thirties

In a Zen garden in Kyoto

In a Zen garden in Kyoto

I was sceptical at first – especially as the practitioner was blind! – but after the first treatment I was a complete convert. After a course of treatments, the fatigue vanished and I was soon back to my usual optimistic, energetic self.

In my mid-thirties I decided to move to Australia and retrain as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncturist.

woman hugging a german shepherd dog

Me and my dog Dolly in Australia – in my mid thirties

And so began my journey into the world of natural medicine. Over the years I’ve studied Chinese herbs, Bowen therapy, nutrition, basic QiGong, the concepts of Functional Medicine, and much more. It is this combination of modalities that influence my treatments, support my own health and wellbeing, and keep me looking – and more importantly, feeling! – younger than my years.

Can Acupuncture make you look younger?

There are many types of acupuncture, including facial or cosmetic acupuncture. I do not practise cosmetic acupuncture. I instead focus on holistic, traditional Chinese medical acupuncture which has an impact on the entire body (and mind), and not just the face.

Also, a few wrinkles and grey hairs are not to be feared! Getting older is a privilege denied to too many people. I strongly believe in embracing graceful ageing, and focusing on optimising whole health – mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical.

My son's 10th birthday party - in my late forties

My son’s 10th birthday party – in my late forties

Supporting graceful ageing

We all want to continue enjoying life as we age, so here are my top tips for healthful ageing:

  • Be proactive about your health. Regular Acupuncture treatments can help build your resilience to stress, strengthen immunity, and keep your energy levels topped up.
  • Have a balanced, healthy diet that includes good quality protein, good fats (ie olive oil, avocadoes, and Omega 3s), lots of water, and at least 5 colourful vegetables and 2 fruits everyday in meals and snacks. Brightly coloured fruits and veggies are packed with powerful antioxidants that help the body cope with signs of ageing. Try and be “good” 80% of the time…it’s OK to cheat and have treat meals. That keeps us sane and sociable. After all, I am the first to admit that I love my chocolate!!
  • Enjoy daily movement and exercise. A sedentary lifestyle is a killer. Movement and exercise keep the blood and lymph flowing, helps minimise weight gain, and releases mood-boosting endorphins in the brain. Find an activity that you enjoy and like, so you are more likely to stick with it in the long term.
  • Sleep well and practice good “sleep hygiene”. Sleep is essential for optimum health and positive ageing.
  • Create loving, nurturing and fulfilling relationships with humans, animals and nature. Love and be loved.
  • Find ways that work for you to build resilience to stress. We will always have stressors in our lives (an obnoxious boss, a toxic partner, family dramas, losses, break-ups, and many more). We don’t have much control over them. What we can control though is how we react to them and how we choose to respond to stressful situations.
  • Chronic stress is extremely ageing and very detrimental to our health, so we need to find ways to manage it in a calm and positive way. In general, I haven’t had an easy life (despite all the smiley photos in this blog!). However, every time I’ve had a setback, I’ve learnt ways to cope with them, and I grew stronger as a result. Also, all the challenges and pain I’ve experience in my life have helped me become a more empathic practitioner and have helped me relate to and understand my own patients’ suffering better.
  • Do something you enjoy every day. Finding your bliss and a purpose in life will keep your mind and spirit happy and inspire others too.

To find out more about how Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture can help you age gracefully, call Tiziana TODAY on 07788 633292 or email info@yorktraditionalacupuncture.co.uk

woman holding glass of prosecco

Cheers, Happy 50th Birthday Tiziana!