A NEW community acupuncture clinic is to open in Cirencester, allowing group treatments from two local practitioners.

The clinic has been set up by Sarah Atwell-Griffiths and Matthew Wrigley who both run their own private acupuncture practices in the town.

Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine which was first used around 5,000 years ago, involving the insertion of small needles into ‘acupuncture points’ in the skin and other techniques derived from traditional Chinese medicine.

Their plan is to provide community acupuncture, where several people are treated in one large room at the same time to reduce the costs normally associated with on-to-one acupuncture treatments.

The clinic, the first of its kind in Gloucestershire, will provide treatments for groups at a reduced rate with an additional discount for students and those claiming benefits.

Matthew said: “We’ve both seen extremely positive results for our patients in our private practices, but realise that the expense involved is out of reach for many people.

“We are absolutely determined to find a way to make acupuncture more accessible here in Cirencester and believe that The Cotswold Community Clinic is the best way to do it.”

Sarah added: “We feel passionately about community acupuncture. Patients consistently report that they like the sense of togetherness they find at this type of clinic; it can challenge the idea that illness is something that isolates people.”

The Cotswold Community Clinic will be located at The Cotswold Academy, 24 Thomas Street, Cirencester GL7 2BD and can be contacted via their website at http://bit.ly/1vHAwJc, on 07825 360621 or 07990 685277.