Peter

To whom it may concern

In 2003 a routine examination for a pilot licence led to a diagnosis of prostate cancer. It was a moderately aggressive form of the disease and immediate surgery was recommended. However I was investigating alternative medicine at the time and decided to see what that could do before committing to conventional treatment.

The alternative approach involved a number of lifestyle changes including better diet and nutrition, stress reduction through meditation and acupuncture. My PSA level was assesssed at regular intervals, since this is the standard procedure for monitoring the progress of the disease An acupuncture practitioner in England recommended a type of treatment known as five-element acupuncture. Since this needs to be done on a regular basis, a therapist in Ireland was required and this led me to Karen Costin.

The PSA increased initially from about 6 to over 12 but then gradually reduced to between 6 and 8 over the next two years and has remained steady at these levels since then. There were physical checks at intervals by a consultant in Dublin and my own doctor, these showed that the tumour was getting smaller.

I think there were two reasons for this. First, acupuncture keeps the energy levels in the body balanced. This is important in halting the development of the cancer. Second, once the energy levels are balanced, the underlying conditions that led to the development of the cancer in the first place are corrected.

In 2009 I was diagnosed with blockages in the coronary arteries, once again in a routine medical. Bypasses were recommended and I was operated on in November. The operation in the Blackrock Clinic was a success, and Karen gave me acupuncture treatments while I was in post-op. This plus assistance with lifestyle support from many friends afterwards helped me make a rapid recovery: by mid-2010 I was again fully fit.

I can vouch for Karen’s acupuncture as very helpful in my case in combating the spread of prostate cancer and recovering from major surgery in combination with lifestyle changes.