I am writing to you because I feel so strongly about my experience of acupuncture under one of your members.  Her name is Karen Costin and I have to say this woman has transformed my life.  People are too quick to write to complain and I wanted to take the time to say what an inspirational talented woman Karen is.

I am 30 years old and was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries in January 2011.  My last menstral cycle was in February 2011.  In September 2011, I still had not had any period nor did I even ovulate.  I decided to try some fertility acupuncture with Karen.
I am attending a specialist at one of the top Maternity Hospitals here in Dublin.  My doctor there prescribed me medication in the hope that it would induce ovulation and help me get pregnant.  After a couple of months this did not work and my doctor decided to book me in for a laparoscopy operation and ovarian drilling.

In the mean time I was having weekly acupuncture sessions with Karen.  After each session I felt so much more relaxed and was sleeping better.  My husband and I agreed that even if I didn’t get pregnant the acupuncture was really improving my overall well being.  I was in great form and back to my best.

After my third session with Karen she pondered for a bit and told me that she thought there was a particular point that would improve things for me greatly.  My pulses were initially off the radar but after these few sessions had improved.

She suggested performing the CV GV block.  Being relatively new to acupuncture I wasn’t sure what this meant.  Karen explained that they were the Conceptional Vessal and Governing Vessal and she believed this would improve things for me greatly.
I had previously had a number of bad experiences with smear tests and the thoughts of any procedure down around that sensitive area terrified me.  Karen told me to go away and think about it and decide if I wanted to have it done.  She showed me charts and books and clearly explained exactly what would be done and where.

She gave me a lot of reassurance and did not put any pressure on me to go through with it.  I went away and did my own research and contacted her to make the appointment.  When I arrived I was a little anxious, but the entire atmosphere and setting she created was wonderful.

There was low lighting and she gave me a cosy woolly blanket to cover from my waist down.  As I lay back I felt very relaxed and she chatted and put me at ease.  During the procedure she explained what she was doing and told me when to take breathes in and out.
I didn’t feel a thing and it was over before I knew it.  She felt happy that she had hit the spot and I made an appointment for two weeks time.

About two nights later I had severe pains in my lower abdomen, I went to the bathroom and a lot of milky discharge had come out, then the pain disappeared.  It may sound silly but I believe that the CV GV point had cleared a blockage in my system.

The CV GV point was performed on the 25th August 2011.  Today the 21st October 2011 I am currently 6 going on 7 weeks pregnant.  My doctors and specialists were astounded when they confirmed my pregnancy.  The pregnancy has been dated back to the 6th September; just one week after Karen performed the CV GV point.

Needless to say I took great satisfaction in cancelling the operations and fertility appointments I had with the hospital.

I have given Karen’s details to my doctors who were so impressed when I told them about the acupuncture.  I am so proud of Karen and the work she does and have a new found respect for alternative medicines.  I don’t know where I’d be without her.  I am so happy that my dreams of becoming a mother have come true all thanks to the talents of the lovely, sincere, Karen Costin.
Testimonial sent to British Acupuncture Council about member, Karen Costin, October 2011

We will be eternally grateful to Karen for bringing us such joy and happiness. Our lives are so complete with our two beautiful boys. A special and loving thank you to you, Karen.
Oliver & Rosemarie

“I was told at my age and with the state of my eggs that I would never conceive. Thanks to Karen, I now have two beautiful children. I would strongly recommend any women to try Acupuncture before giving up.”

I had some Acupuncture with you last year to help me get
pregnant… it worked!  I have a beautiful baby girl who is now 12 days old.  Kind regards, 
Christina          

This time two years ago Calum was nearly a week old.  We
had a birthday party for him over the weekend and remembered all your help at the time.  Hope all is going well for you and Angharad. Best wishes,
Diarmuid and Caitriona

I thought I must drop you a mail to tell you that I am pregnant, actually nearly 10 weeks now.  I'm sure you can imagine my general disbelief.  In fact, I really can't believe it still!!  I hope you and Anghared are well and have a new nanny installed by now. Thanks for your hard work with me and Frank. I will hopefully be able to send you a baby picture for your door after all. Take care.
Jill

Karen,
Thank you so much for all your support and kindness during my pregnancy and Tom's birth. The whole experience was amazing and something I will obviously never forget!! Tom is a darling - a true 'Acupuncture Baby' - and is thriving each day.
Deirdre

Sorry I didn't reschedule my appointment but I think that Acupuncture is not for me!! However on saying that I can definitely say it helped, as I am pregnant!! So thanks for everything especially your kindness and patience. See you soon
Orlagh

To dear Karen
Thank you so much for making me so prepared for the IVF and for all your hard work before it. You helped our dreams come true.
Niamh + Nigel

Thank you so much for being there for us - I know it would have been so much worse without you. You were the one comforting and reassuring presence through it all. We really appreciate everything.
Paula

Karen,
Many, many thanks for all your support throughout the pregnancy and for your strength and guidance through labour and delivery - we couldn't have done it without you. Thanks for all the preparation, both mental and physical, little Adam is a very happy little baby.
Lots of love
Linda

Karen
Mum and I want to say thanks a million for all the support and help in the last few months. I really liked the treatments (mum says they weren't bad either!!) and it made my entry to the planet a lot nicer.
Cheers Eoin James
P.S. Dad says thanks too and by the way he's a convert to the needles.

Can't thank you enough for being there when we needed you. I don't know what I would have done without you.
Mark

I am delighted to have discovered the benefits of this form of holistic therapy so early in life and I would feel confident into the future that a quick visit to Karen for an acupuncture treatment would result in a very accurate reading of my general health and wellbeing. Thank you very much Karen for everything!
Emer

I initially attended Karen over 3 years ago as I had been recommended acupuncture to assist with pregnancy and she came very highly recommended. After a number of years trying to conceive we were blessed with a very smooth pregnancy thanks to a careful diet, positive outlook and of course the excellent care and attention received from Karen through acupuncture. Our son was born in July 2006 and within 3 months I noticed that I had lost a lot of hair and it was still coming out in clumps, much to my distress. I spoke to Karen about it and she began to channel our sessions on my hair loss and restoring the energy fields in my system which related to this area. Within a few weeks I saw a remarkable improvement and my hair was no longer coming out in clumps. Within 4-6 weeks you could see the new hair growth appearing all over my head and even my hairdresser commented on the marked improvement in my hair quality and re growth. 15 months on and we are doubly blessed with a 4 month old delightful baby girl and very proud older brother, once again with thanks to the excellent talents of Karen and her Acupuncture service. I did experience some further hair loss after my daughter’s birth but there was a marked reduction on the previous time. Similarly, following some sessions with Karen the hair loss has stopped and re growth has begun to appear already. I am also very lucky to have much thicker hair than before so the hair loss is not as apparent as the last time. I would strongly recommend acupuncture to anyone considering pregnancy. I would recommend it also for general health and wellbeing and I now look on it as an integral part of my health and fitness regime. I look forward to my regular sessions with Karen and the benefits are apparent in my everyday encounters with the world. I have also recommended Karen's service to a number of my friends and they have been extremely pleased.
Thanks Karen for all you understanding and excellent care.
Regards
Elena, Dublin.