Finding Balance: My Calming Acupuncture Experience with Ellie Columbine

Over the last couple of years, I have emphasised my physical and mental health and wellbeing. As a woman of a certain age, being in tune with my body is vital to my good health. Recently, I returned to Ellie Columbine for another acupuncture session, and once again, I was reminded just how restorative and calming this ancient practice can be.

A Welcoming Space at Holmedale Health

Ellie now practices from Holmedale Health at 34 Denmark Road, Exeter, EX1 1SE, which offers a warm, professional environment close to the city centre. The building itself has a calming atmosphere – the moment you step inside, you can feel yourself beginning to unwind.

A Gentle Approach to Healing

What I’ve always appreciated about Ellie is her gentle, considered approach. She has this wonderfully calming presence that immediately puts you at ease. During this particular session, she focused on acupuncture points in my ears, hands, and feet – areas I hadn’t had treated before in quite this way.

Ellie explained that in Traditional Chinese Medicine, each of these points corresponds to different areas and systems within the body. The ears, in particular, have a complete microsystem that mirrors the entire body. It’s fascinating how such small, precise points can have such a profound effect on overall wellbeing.

The Treatment Experience

The session itself was deeply relaxing. Ellie’s technique is so gentle that I barely felt the needles going in. Once the needles were placed, I lay back and allowed my body to respond to the treatment. There’s something rather meditative about acupuncture – that quiet time where you’re encouraged to be still and let the body do its work.

The needles didn’t hurt; the only one that did was related to my heart, which made sense to me. The placement of the needles follows a “map” of the body. In traditional acupuncture, thin needles are placed along specific pathways in the body, known as meridians, to help restore balance and promote healing. This approach not only aligns with ancient beliefs but also connects to modern ideas about how stimulating nerves and muscles can aid in recovery.

Throughout the treatment, I could feel tension gradually releasing from areas I hadn’t even realised were tight. My breathing deepened, my mind quieted, and I entered that lovely state of relaxation where you’re somewhere between waking and sleeping.

The Calming Aftermath

What struck me most was how much calmer I felt afterwards. It wasn’t just a physical relaxation – though my body certainly felt looser and more comfortable – but a mental and emotional settling as well. That low-level anxiety that often hums in the background of daily life had noticeably diminished. I left feeling centred and grounded in a way that’s hard to achieve through other means.

Why I Keep Coming Back

I’ve written about Ellie’s work before (you can read my original blog post from 2019 about discovering Traditional Chinese Medicine), but each session brings new insights and benefits. This time, the focus on ear, hand, and foot acupuncture was a lovely reminder that there are so many different approaches within this practice, each offering unique therapeutic benefits.

How to Book

If you’re curious about acupuncture or Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ellie makes it easy to book appointments. You can contact her directly by phone or email, or book online through her website at elliecolumbine.com.

Whether you’re dealing with specific physical symptoms, stress and anxiety, sleep issues, or want to support your overall wellbeing, I’d highly recommend experiencing Ellie’s gentle, thoughtful approach to healing. Sometimes the most potent medicine comes in the smallest packages – even needles so fine you barely feel them.

Have you tried acupuncture? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.

Disclaimer: I recieved a free session from Ellie, but I only every write about things I would pay for!