The classic of difficulties

Guiltiest pleasure

Steve Seagal movies and the occasional second martini

Favourite song lyric

In this world where we live, there should be more happiness So much joy you can give to each brand new bright tomorrow

Desert island disc

Radiohead’s The Bends

Desert island film

High Society. Bing! Grace! Frank! I mean seriously, what a swell party

Desert island book

A Room with a View by EM Forster I read and reread this book, it’s perfect

Hero/heroine

Frida Kahlo was the most remarkable woman and had a strong eyebrow game

If you weren’t an acupuncturist what would you be doing?

Hmm, a Mexican wrestler, drag queen or midwife

Superpower of choice

Definitely flying. Sometimes I do when I’m asleep and it’s glorious

A one-way ticket to…

15th century Venice

Which word/phrase do you overuse?

No it’s not morning yet, go back to bed

Fantasy dinner party guests

Stanley Tucci on cocktails, Marina Hyde, Caitlin Moran, Louis Theroux and Helena Bonham Carter. I reckon that would be a very lively table

What’s your diagnosis?

You’ve forgotten who you really are

Worst nightmare

Living in a country with no seasons. I love how they mark the turn of the year and I need all five!

One bed or multibed?

One bed

What’s your animal?

My daemon would be an impala (if you haven’t read His Dark Materials do so immediately). Or possibly a goat. Probably a goat.

What has life taught you?

Everyone has a story, and in everyone there’s something to love

Tell us a joke

A Scotsman walks into a baker’s and says (Scottish accent required), ‘is that a doughnut or a meringue?’ And the baker says, ‘no you were right the first time son, it’s a doughnut’

What question do you wish you had been asked?

Desert Island Dinner? Burrata salad, pappardelle with wild boar ragu, and lemon sorbet

Claire Dabreo

Member: London

The classic of difficulties

Guiltiest pleasure Steve Seagal movies and the occasional second martini

Favourite song lyric In this world where we live, there should be more happiness So much joy you can give to each brand new bright tomorrow

Desert island disc Radiohead’s The Bends

Desert island film High Society. Bing! Grace! Frank! I mean seriously, what a swell party

Desert island book A Room with a View by EM Forster I read and reread this book, it’s perfect

Hero/heroine Frida Kahlo was the most remarkable woman and had a strong eyebrow game

If you weren’t an acupuncturist what would you be doing?

Hmm, a Mexican wrestler, drag queen or midwife

Superpower of choice Definitely flying. Sometimes I do when I’m asleep and it’s glorious

A one-way ticket to… 15th century Venice

Which word/phrase do you overuse? No it’s not morning yet, go back to bed

Fantasy dinner party guests Stanley Tucci on cocktails, Marina Hyde, Caitlin Moran, Louis Theroux and Helena Bonham Carter. I reckon that would be a very lively table

What’s your diagnosis? You’ve forgotten who you really are

One bed or multibed? One bed

Worst nightmare Living in a country with no seasons. I love how they mark the turn of the year and I need all five!

What’s your animal? My daemon would be an impala (if you haven’t read His Dark Materials do so immediately). Or possibly a goat. Probably a goat.

What has life taught you? Everyone has a story, and in everyone there’s something to love

Tell us a joke A Scotsman walks into a baker’s and says (Scottish accent required), ‘is that a doughnut or a meringue?’ And the baker says, ‘no you were right the first time son, it’s a doughnut’

What question do you wish you had been asked?

Desert Island Dinner? Burrata salad, pappardelle with wild boar ragu, and lemon sorbet

Claire Dabreo Member: London

emergence and maintenance of life. It is interesting to note that in the pathways of the du mai there are two going to the kidneys and ming men area in the low back, one from the eyes above and one from the perineum below, and in addition, that DU 4 is the anchor of the dai mai that encircles the waist area. DU 4 ming men is then a major crossing point of the vertical and horizontal axes of the body, contributing to its deep-seated and regenerative actions.

A heartwarming case to end with: I remember with great affection Ena, a patient of mine in her nineties, who would make the long journey on buses and trains from her home on the outskirts of London to my clinic in the centre of town. Unsteady on her feet, she needed a seat on the train, but the one reserved for the elderly and infirm was taken up by a large and intimidating character, immersed in

listening to music on his headphones. Uncowed by the prospect of conflict or rejection, she politely indicated she was in need of the seat. And when he persisted in ignoring her, Ena simply sat down on his lap, much to his embarrassment and the delighted amusement of the other passengers!

Dogged and intrepid, Ena seemed to embody that fearless power of the kidneys that ensures you stand up to the world – or in this particular case, sit down! She always looked forward to her monthly treatments – massage, moxa and needles centred around the area of DU 4 and the kidneys – and told me they definitely alleviated her joint stiffness and pain and kept up her energy. Always bright and cheery, I treated her for over 25 years and she died aged 100. Sun Simiao would have approved!