[Please note that all the reviews have been independently verified by Free Index].

"I am so glad I decided to go for acupuncture and so grateful to Ali. We had been trying for a baby for almost 4 years and after 6 early losses, we decided to go for IVF. I had heard that acupuncture can help so I thought I'd give it a go. After the first appointment I was pretty shocked at how I felt. I can only describe it as a complete natural high, a bit like I'd had 2 large glasses of wine! I had never felt so relaxed. My cycles were generally very short, usually only 24 days. Also I ovulated very late such as day 21. I found out this is called a "short luteal phase". So a fertilised egg would not be able to implant as the womb lining would not have had time to prepare for it efficiently. Well, after seeing Ali for only 3 sessions every other week, my cycle became textbook 28 days long. And each month I was ovulating earlier. By month 3 I ovulated on day 13! I could not believe it. Even during 6 cycles of Clomid the earliest I ovulated was day 16. On that third month I did a pregnancy test as I just had a feeling. It was positive & so were the next 5! 
I have had 2 early scans now & we have seen the babies heartbeat and all is going really well. We are so over the moon. Our IVF was meant to begin 3 weeks later, but it looks like we won't need it  (IVF) after all. I can highly recommend Ali, acupuncture has made such a difference to our lives. I also sleep better and I feel I'm a lot more positive than I used to be" Vicky B.

"After recently discovering I was pregnant, I decided to start some acupuncture sessions and found Ali via a friends personal recommendation. After a detailed consultation, Ali assured me that acupuncture was safe to do early pregnancy and would indeed benefit myself and the baby. Prior to starting the sessions I had spotting for one week and was extremely worried. However, after my first acupuncture session, this stopped and my morning sickness decreased as well! I would strongly recommend anyone who is in the early stage of pregnancy to give acupuncture a go, especially with Ali as she is qualified and extremely knowledgeable about fertility issues" Claire Derbyshire.

"How can i express what changes i have experienced.......hmmm well im going to try my best.
I have had many acupuncture treatments previously but have not really experienced a change as such. However since starting my treatments with Aliyah i could not believe how i felt myself changing.
During my first treatment i felt emotional and felt my whole body judder. after the treatment ended i was feeling amazing, elated and really happy. Since then i have a course of treatments and have to say its the best acupuncture treatment i have experienced and has had the most effective re balancing effects on my mindset and body. Aliyah has had an amazing calming effect on me and has a very healing aura. I strongly believe alternative therapies are the way forward. :)" Zara Khan.

"I have been a client of Ali for the past few months as an aid to fertility. As I work within western medicine I was slightly sceptical as to what Eastern medicine could offer. I had previously tried acupuncture with another provider without noticeable results. However I have found that I have an awful lot to thank Ali for. I have suffered many symptoms with regards to menstruation, hormones etc and am only sorry i didn't know Ali 20 years ago as my symptoms are now greatly reduced, most even gone altogether. I can't believe I put up with my symptoms for so long believing nothing could be done about them. Ali is an extremely kind, professional and calming person which I am sure adds to the effect of the treatments. I would personally recommend Ali at Meridian acupunture". Tracy

"Having received acupuncture unto my pregnancy due date and also for induction purposes, I can express nothing but satisfaction and recommendation to others. As I was having my first baby, I was very keen to keep relaxed upto the birth and was desperate for a natural birth. After being a few days late and once I reached established labour, my experience was unbelievable- I dilated very quickly and had a water birth with no stitches and I'm 100 per cent sure this was down to the acupuncture - even the midwives commented on how unusual it was for a first time birth. I'm pregnant again and will definitely be having the same treatment" Ruth Groarke.

"I started Acupuncture originally for help with our proposed IVF treatment after trying for 3 years. I had never tried before and was certainly a little apprehensive. Ali reassured me and always checked to see if I was uncomfortable with anything. Points were used to help fertility and after 2 months I was delighted to find out I'd conceived naturally. I had a scare at 8 weeks into the pregnancy to which Ali helped to keep the pregnancy strong and rooted. All throughout Ali was patient and offered guidance on my diet and lifestyle to help fertility, which I'm happy to say certainly seems to have helped! Looking forward to coming back to help with the labour! I would recommend the benefits of acupuncture and say go with a open mind. Thanks again Ali !" Emma, Manchester 

"I went to Ali for acupuncture on the recommendation of a friend who had had a positive experience. I was suffering from endemeitriosis which was becoming painful again 18 months on from some treatment but was also keen to become pregnant. The treatment eased my endemeitriosis within the first few sessions, and I was pregnant within a few months of trying/treatment - I continued the treatment until week 13 of pregnancy and am now a mum to a very gorgeous little baby. The treatments taught me a lot about myself and the root of my endemeitriosis and how best to manage it. Ali was a gentle and sympathetic consultant who treated me as an individual - not just a list of symptoms. I would thoroughly recommend her services" R Woodman. 

"As someone who was suffering with sciatica whilst sceptical of acupuncture, I can assure anyone reading this review that the treatment provided by Meridian was nothing short of miraculous! Within 3 weeks, my sciatica had been eradicated plus other symptoms such as stress and tiredness diminished.
For any guy who is suffering with sciatica, nerves, stress or is generally wacked out, I can but recommend Meridian to you. And, by the way, it's not painful !" Bernard Henderson

"I started to see Ali when I was starting IVF treatment. I had tried all fertility treatments but with no success - IVF was our last hope. I had heard about an increase in success rates when women had used acupuncture whilst receiving treatment and decided to give it a go. I was surprised by Ali's knowledge of the procedures and found it extremely helpful to be able to discuss it with someone so well informed as well as receiving the acupuncture. I'm now writing this review with my baby boy in my arms - he is adorable and has already managed to turn our lives upside down!! At the end of my pregnancy I again had sessions with Ali to help prepare my body for the birth. Unfortunately I had to be induced due to my baby not having enough fluid around him. Like most women I really didn't want to be induced...I had heard about the prolonged painful labour. Luckily this was not the case for me, the labour went really well and in just over 4 hours my baby was born without the need for an epidural...it was a fantastic experience and I would do it again tomorrow. I believe that the acupuncture I had helped my body be prepared for the labour which made it so easy. I would encourage anyone either having fertility treatment or in preparation for birth to have acupuncture I can't speak highly enough of the support and treatment I received from Ali" Camilla Schofield.

"After being told I had Polycystic Ovaries I started acupuncture sessions with Ali. I was a little nervous at first, but she really put me at ease and I was amazed how relaxing the sessions were. She gave me lots of wonderful advice about things that I could do alongide the sessions to help my condition. I really noticed a big difference both physically and mentally in the way I felt. After 6 sessions I had my period and have gone onto conceive within the first month of trying! I will definately be having some acupuncture to help me to prepare for the birth! Thank you so much Ali !" Natalie Brady

"At first I couldn't see how acupuncture would help my migraines, but after 7 sessions they have gone from being almost daily to very rarely, they are not as intense as they were before. I would recommend the treatment to anyone" Heather.

"I embarked on my first acupuncture treatment with an open mind, and have been amazed by the effect that it has had on my overall heath and general wellbeing. I would recommend Meridian Acupuncture to anyone who has problems, or who just wants to feel generally in better health - I wouldn't have believed beforehand that a fine needle in the throat could almost instantly "cure" a sore throat, and its definitely helping me to pass through the dreaded menopause with little or no problems". JW

"For many years, I had been having lower back pain and after some research, i decided to try acupuncture to see if this would help.I found Ali via a personal recommendation and booked in several sessions. Ali has helped me tremendously as i was very apprehensive of the treatment, as I have never been a fan of needles, but her approach of listening and talking me through each stage meant that I actually started to looked forward to the sessions! Big thanks again for all your support". Louise Kitchener

"I had been suffering from menopausal symptoms for some time when I went to see Aliya. My main problems included anxiety,depression,a lack of energy,tiredness and overall lethargy. I was already taking HRT which was only controlling the hot flushes. I feel so much better. I have come off HRT completely and definitely feel much more like my old self. I 'have my mojo' back. I do however want to stress to people not to expect overnight success. You may need to commit to regular sessions over a few weeks before you start to feel better". JM

"I had 5 sessions of acupunture at the end of my pregnancy to relieve sickness and to assist me having the birth that I wanted. My baby arrived safely on time, labour was short (4 hours in total and baby born 2 hours after my waters broke) and I was able to manage at home without any pain relief until I was fully dilated. We arrived at the hospital at 05.10 and after 6 contractions my baby was born at 05.34 without any intervention. This was my first baby and I would definitely have acupuncture with further pregnancies. Thanks to Ali for her wonderful service". Louise Abedin.   

"Many thanks for your detailed letter and expert treatment with my patient. She has found your treatments extremely beneficial for her pain control and general well being" Prof Lennard Funk BSc MSc FRCS (Tr&Orth) FFSEM(UK).

 "I've had *Costochondritis for more than 10 years and nothing has cleared the pain to date. However after just a couple of treatments with Ali I have had 2 completely pain free days, and I'm looking to build on this with more treatments" Marie Eaton

(* is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects the inner end of each rib with the breastbone (sternum)).

 

"After Acupuncture I've had no sickness for 4 days and I'm eating much better too" Louise Abidin (38 weeks pregnant)

 

 "Thanks so much for the Acupuncture, just got home after egg collection and they got 19 with at least 12 mature" GG, Wigan

 

"I have suffered with various pre-menstrual symptoms for several years including severe anxiety, low moods, sugar cravings and bloating. Meeting Ali and experiencing a number of her acupuncture sessions, has been life changing! I was particularly impressed with the in-depth questionnaire she did with me on our first session. This enabled me to talk about various health and emotional issues in my life. Ali is a really intent listener and her approach is holistic so even during the initial session, she gave me ideas like lowering my caffeine intake and trying to exercise more, to beat the anxiety.
As for the acupuncture, I was fairly scared about the idea of needles being inserted into me but Ali put me at ease, totally and explained everything, step-by-step. Some of the points that she inserts needles are barely noticeable, whereas with others I experience a sharp sensation which lasts a matter of seconds. After a number of sessions since the end of 2009 I must say that I don't dread the needles anymore!

What I most love, is the calm and relaxed state that I fall into after the needles have been left in for five minutes or so. I am a different person when I leave the session, feeling totally re-balanced. I return to my life with three boys (two of whom are 3 and 4 years old!) and a husband, ready to be the calm mum and wife I have always imagined I could be". Anne-Marie Johnson

 

"Ms Eastham carried out acupuncture treatment on me for various problems, including a recurring problem with my ankle and knee, which often caused me to limp, and also for a minor back problem, and general lack of energy etc. Her treatment proved extremely effective, I had no problems with the knee or ankle for months afterwards (must make another appointment! but nothing like as bad as they were originally) and I have generally enjoyed much better health overall ever since treatment. I would have no hesitation in recommending her, and acupuncture! PS despite what many people imagine, it doesn't hurt at all!" Agnes

 

"Have loads energy, slept well and deep" anon

 

"At almost a week overdue with my second baby I was very grateful to Aliya for carrying out an acupuncture session designed to encourage the onset of labour and ease the progress and pain of labour.  I was helped to feel completely at ease throughout the session and had complete confidence in Aliya's skill and expertise, reinforced by her continual questionning and tailouring of her technique to ensure my comfort, in balance with optimum effectiveness.  My labour was amaizingly quick and straightforward (he was born 1 hr 15mins after my waters broke with the second stage lasting only 12 minutes!!).  In fact, everything I had hoped for, especially after my 2 day ordeal with my first baby!  I am certain that the acupuncture helped with this and I will be forever grateful to Aliya for her professional and caring approach.  Thankyou!" Zena Cassels


"I wasn't sure about the Cosmetic Acupuncture, but my skin feels tighter and looks younger after only a few sessions !" Mrs M, Prestwich 

 

"I'd had some of the best nights sleep in ages", Nadine

 

"My latest Blood Pressure reading is normal, thank you so much for helping me reduce this naturally" Mrs M.

 

"I no longer dread the pain of walking, and I'm delighted you sorted out my plantar fasciatis so quickly" Mr B.

 

"12 days bleeding now down to 4 days, and no pain either, you've transformed my life" Miss P.

 "Amazing ! I've had a whole week of no hot flushes and no night sweats - that hasn't happened for at least 10 years !" Mrs Richards.