Fiona Wolfenden
Clinic Founder
Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine
DipAc, RGN, MRCHM
Fiona has qualified in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicinal Herbs for over 15 years. She is also a Registered General Nurse and experienced massage therapist. Fiona has also qualified in facial acupuncture and massage.
She enjoys the challenge of diagnosing her patients from a Chinese perspective and integrates this with her knowledge of Western Medicine. Fiona has many years experience of patients with endometriosis, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and recurrent miscarriage. Fiona also works as part of the Natural Fertility Centre and our Arthritis and pregnancy clinics.
Fiona has discontinued her membership of the British Acupuncture Council but is still fully insured and qualified to treat patients with acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Monika Niemczynowicz
Clinic Director
Acupuncture
DipAc, MBAcC
Monika has been qualified in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine for almost 10 years. She is a graduate of the Northern College of Acupuncture in York and a member of British Acupuncture Council. Prior to qualifying as an acupuncturist she studied Social Care and Counselling. She also uses elements of breathwork and mobilisation of the vagus nerve to aid the regulatory effect of acupuncture, especially in addressing anxiety and stress.
Over recent years Monika has been working largely with patients experiencing menstrual issues (irregularities, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, endometriosis), trying to conceive or those who have experienced recurrent miscarriage.
In the past Monika had also been involved with the Pain Clinic at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh through observation of clinical work of dr Ooi-Thye Chong, whose focus is on researching the efficacy of acupuncture for the management of chronic pelvic pain in women.
Jill Wright
Clinic Director
Fertility Massage
BA, Dip AAM(S), Dip BTEC6 in Advanced Clinical and Sports Massage, Member of Scottish Massage Therapists’ Organisation
Jill recently joined Fiona as Co-Director of the Natural Fertility Centre in April 2023. She has been a member of the fertility team for over 10 years specialising in fertility abdominal massage.
Jill trained with Clare Spink, founder of Fertility Massage Therapy and Training UK She combines a variety of bodywork techniques to create a unique massage experience.
In addition to Fertility Massage, Jill has a degree level qualification in Sports and Clinical Massage with Jing Institute of Advanced Massage Training, and has over 25 years working in private practice.
Jill provides an integrative approach to massage that combines traditional soft tissue massage with the emotional aspects of healing.
Omayma Laing
Acupuncture
DipAC, BSc Hons
Omayma trained at the College of Chinese Medicine in Edinburgh, qualifying with distinction. The main objective of her work is to bring healing, comfort, and a sense of harmony to her patients. Acupuncture, along with other treatments she uses, pave the way to try to achieve this goal.
Omayma treats each individual patient with the utmost of care and thrives on getting to know them, understanding the root cause of their condition, and treating them according to their needs.
She has particular interest in women’s health beginning at puberty, moving towards reproductive health and pregnancy and onto the menopause and beyond. She has supported individuals and couples on the path to becoming parents, bridging the gap between western medicine and the world of complementary therapies. Alongside fertility issues, many patients are seeking relief from difficult symptoms during pregnancy or post-partum.
In addition, treating long-standing, lingering viral and bacterial conditions and managing pain in its many forms is also a great area of curiosity, enjoyment and satisfaction for Omayma.
She is a registered practitioner with the CNHC (Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council) for Microsystem Acupuncture. This organisation makes the case to government for the use of complementary healthcare to enhance the UK’s health and wellbeing. The use of Microsystem Acupuncture alongside traditional acupuncture greatly enhances the outcomes.
Pearlyn Quan
Acupuncture
DipAc, MAcS TCM
Pearlyn’s special interest is in acupuncture for fertility, IVF support, and women’s health, but she is happy to treat anyone across a wide range of conditions and health goals.
Her own fertility journey was a fraught one, and she has deep compassion for every person travelling down that same road. The approach of Western medicine is highly effective, but can also feel harsh and invasive; TCM can gently support you on your journey to conceive - and treat you as a whole person and not a collection of disorders.
Anu Sharma
Acupuncture
DipAc, MBAcC
Anu graduated as an acupuncturist from the Northern College of Acupuncture (NCA) in York and is a member of the British Acupuncture Council.
Before studying acupuncture she trained as a dietician and worked in the NHS but has been working as part of the NFC for the last 5 years.
Anu adopts a relaxed gentle approach whilst trying to get to the root of the issue.
Rachael O’Connor (Forrest)
Acupuncture
DipAc, MBAcC
Clinic and NFC Founder
Rachael qualified in acupuncture in 2000 and subsequently spent 20 years setting up, running and working in the Natural Fertility Centre and the Albany Street Clinic as well as founding and developing the NFC Essentials brand of fertility supplements. As part of the Natural Fertility Centre, she enjoyed establishing and maintaining relationships with IVF clinics, keeping up to date with all the relevant scientific research and developments, as well as giving talks on fertility at public events.
She now lives, and runs an acupuncture clinic, in Peebles, as well as working at Albany Street.
Rachael is currently training to become a ‘Trauma Informed’ therapist. The training begets a deeper understanding of the effects of physical, emotional or psychological trauma/s in the short and longer term (PTSD and Complex PTSD), as well as the effects of anxiety and stress on brain chemistry and the body.
She enjoys facilitating and observing the fundamental changes in her patients that acupuncture can bring about, as well its’ ability to relieve pain and stress and all the consequences of these issues.
Rachael is a member of the British Acupuncture Council
Marie Dandie
Nutritional Therapy
BA DipCNM mBANT & rCNHC
Marie Dandie was recently awarded Nutritional Therapist Scotland 2023 / 24 Award for the service she offers and the difference she makes to her clients. She will support you to find the best dietary regime for your needs, food preference and lifestyle. Marie creates tailor-made nutritional and supplement guidance to promote optimal egg and sperm quality, improve hormonal balance and create optimal womb lining. In some cases, Marie may recommend that both partners do a Hair Mineral Analysis to measure levels of mineral in the hair and identify any toxic metals such as mercury or lead) that may be present , especially in the case of recurrent miscarriage. Additional optional testing is available including hormone, nutrition status digestive function, and microbiome status, as is relevant to the individual.very much about positive eating and personalising it for both of you. Nutritional Therapy aims to provide you with the best possible intake of all the nutrients to allow you to achieve optimal health. When nutrients are deficient in the body for any reason, imbalances can occur, potentially manifesting as poor egg or sperm quality, erratic periods and PMS.
Many diets lack nutrients to optimise egg quality and build up the body for conception and pregnancy. Men also need to boost their body’s resources with some healthy, positive eating to optimise sperm quality.
Marie offers a 15 minute introductory chat, allowing you to discuss how she can support you – please contact Marie direct to arrange this.
Charlotte Machin
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
DipAc, MRCHM
Charlotte studied Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine at the Escuela MTC Madrid-Universidad del Atlántico in Spain, following the standard curriculum of the Beijing and Yunnan universities. After graduating, she ran a successful clinic in Spain for several years before relocating to Edinburgh to continue her profession in the UK.
She is deeply passionate about her work and takes a person-centred approach, ensuring that each treatment is tailored to the unique needs of her patients, treating a wide range of conditions, from pain management and stress-related disorders to digestive health, immune support, and general well-being (for both adults snd children).
Charlotte is an expert in charting menstrual cycles following her NFP studies and has a strong interest and experience in women’s health, including cycle regulation, fertility, IVF, pregnancy, and postpartum care. With extensive experience in prescribing herbal medicine for complex issues in these areas, she continues to expand her expertise through ongoing gynecology training.
In 2019, she became an associate practitioner at the Women’s Natural Health Practice after completing a postgraduate diploma course in TCM Gynecology and Obstetrics in Ireland. She is registered with the RCHM (Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine) and is fully insured to practice acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine in the UK.