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An oasis of calm in the bustling heart of Galway City, Blue Heron Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine is rapidly achieving a well-deserved reputation as a centre for unparalleled excellence in acupuncture treatment.
The clinic, which opened over a month ago, is ideally located on the second floor in Ard Ri House at the junction of Lower Abbeygate and Middle Street, a charming 1930’s building that has been completely updated, with a working lift making it accessible to all.
However, despite being in the thick of things geographically, hustle and bustle of city life is kept at bay. Upon entering the clinic, you are immediately inundated by the tranquil, healing energies created by the stylish oriental décor and natural sunlight infusing throughout from the many windows overlooking Galway city centre.
Proprietor and Acupuncturist John Lally studied Acupuncture and Chinese Medical theory intensively in Ireland for several years before travelling to Beijing, China in 2007 to perfect his clinical skills. "While working alongside some of Beijing's finest doctors, acupuncturists and herbalists, I was honoured to be able to apply my skills in a professional hospital setting and help those who needed it most. It was a truly humbling experience that I shall never forget." says John.
At Blue Heron only the highest quality Japanese Acupuncture needles are used for treating patients. These are sterilized with Ethylene-Oxide-Gas (ETO) in strict compliance with GMP, AAMI (American National), ISO 13485, CE Mark (European Common Market) and WHO (World Health Organization) standards.
John says, "Anyone coming into my clinic for treatment deserves the best possible experience and, to achieve this, not only must I apply my skills in a focused and professional manner, I also need the best available equipment on the market today. People deserve no less."
According to John, a gentle needle insertion is used with certain acupoints to stimulate the body's Qi (pronounced 'Chi') or Vital Energy. According to the millennia's old wisdom of Acupuncture Theory, in doing this it is possible to alleviate pain, improve digestion or even increase a person's energy to name but a few of the many possibilities.
Generally, most patients find the treatment incredibly relaxing, so relaxing in fact that many of them tend to fall asleep on the treatment tables! Therefore, anyone that comes to John for an acupuncture treatment usually leaves stress free and refreshed.
"At this time of year people are coming in for sinus, irritable bowel and asthma. But being in the West of Ireland, with the wet weather, these will always be common complaints. In theory, acupuncture can be applied to any illness, but from my own clinical experience I would have to say that many symptoms are due to high levels of stress," says John.
According to John, from a western medical viewpoint, stress has a detrimental effect on an individual's immune system. This is not so different from Chinese Medical Theory, as it views stress as an inhibitor of a person's harmonious flow of Qi, which will in turn weaken the exterior defensive (Yang) energies, allowing pathogens to penetrate to the deeper and vulnerable (Yin) areas of the body, which in turn leads to disease and pain.
First time visitors at Blue Heron will receive a 15 to 35 minute consultation, depending on their individual requirements and will usually be given acupuncture on the front and back of the body. If deemed necessary after the consultation, John will use a technique called warm needle Moxabustion, which is an ancient technique involving placing a herb called Moxa on the acupuncture needle then lighting it, which results in a slow burn sending warm Qi or Yang energy into the acupoint.
"Warm needle Moxabustion is an exceptional treatment method for this time of year, as it infuses the body with a natural warmth which fortifies the bodies Qi and Yang energies (immune system) at a time when we need strong resistance to colds, flu and, of course, the notoriously damp Galway weather!"
As with the Acupuncture needles, John uses only the highest quality Japanese Smokeless Moxa to insure the person receiving treatment is as comfortable and safe as possible.
Central location aside, what sets Blue Heron apart is patient care, with John focused on each individual's unique requirements. "Patient safety, quality of care and privacy are our main priorities here at Blue Heron. We provide a unique and individual treatment to each patient. Everyone is different and is treated as such. People who visit us are treated with highly focused and tailored therapies to target their specific aliments," he says.
Watch out for Blue Heron in the New Year, as they are planning on launching their new website as well as adding Chinese Herbal Medicine to their clinic portfolio. For the younger Facebook generation, Blue Heron has a reduced rate for students, so if you're looking to de stress before exams you know who to call!
Blue Heron will be taking appointments until Tuesday 23 December and will then reopen in the New Year. The clinic is open from Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 8pm. For more information, don't hesitate to phone John at 091-895748 or email
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