By Gosia, Acupuncturist at Natural Balance Therapies
Before joining the team at Natural Balance, I spent nearly four years working on cruise ships. It was a unique experience — not only for the travel, but also for the opportunity to introduce acupuncture to people from many different backgrounds.
Because of the itineraries, most of my clients were American, and I was genuinely surprised by how many had never tried acupuncture before. In some areas of the US, it seems it’s still not widely accessible, especially for older adults or those living in more rural areas. Many said they’d simply never had the chance to try it.
Cruise ships mostly attract an older crowd, which meant I treated a wide range of age-related concerns. Beyond the typical aches and pains like sciatica, I came across more complex patterns — pain that people had learned to live with, but that still affected their quality of life.
One gentleman (let’s call him Mr J) stands out. He came to me with a combination of arthritis and neuropathy in his hands. His grip had become weak and unreliable. He couldn’t easily open or close his fingers, and there was a constant tightness in his arms. The arthritic changes had caused joint thickening, and the neuropathy meant he had very little sensation in the pads of his fingers.
With encouragement from his wife (who told me “he’s tried everything else”), he agreed to try acupuncture. Time is precious on a cruise, but he made space for five sessions across a 12-day trip. In my experience, a focused, regular approach works best for this kind of issue — especially when the goal is to restore mobility and reduce sensitivity.
The aim wasn’t to “fix” the arthritis, but to support the body by improving circulation in the affected areas, helping calm inflammation, and gently encouraging better movement. One of the things I love about Chinese medicine is its holistic approach — we were able to work on his hands and (by special request from his wife) his snoring, which she said had improved too.
What I remember most is during the fourth session, his wife, sitting nearby, leaned over and said, “He hasn’t needed his codeine the last two nights.” That was his own decision — I always encourage people to speak to their GP before making any changes to medication — but it was a clear sign he was feeling a difference.
It’s moments like these that remind me how acupuncture can offer something gentle but meaningful. It may not be a cure, but it can make things a little easier — and sometimes that’s enough.
Have any questions? Get in touch or check Gosia’s availability here.
Note:
Acupuncture is considered a complementary therapy. It’s not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. If you’re managing a long-term condition or taking prescribed medication, please speak to your GP before starting any new therapy.