Frequently asked
questions

Is Chinese herbal medicine safe?

The herbs used in this practice are sourced from a regulated specialist supplier, prepared to pharmaceutical standards, and prescribed individually — nothing is given generically. Treatment is grounded in a full clinical training at the University of Westminster under clinical supervision. Chinese herbal medicine has an extensive body of both classical knowledge and contemporary research behind it, and its safety record when prescribed by a properly trained practitioner is well established. If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, please mention this at your initial consultation so that any potential interactions can be assessed.

Are your treatments insured?

Yes. All treatments offered through Ars Medica are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance through the International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT), covering practice in Portugal and across the EU.

Do I need to have a Chinese medicine consultation before booking body practices?

No — body practice sessions can be booked independently. That said, many clients find that an initial 聽 consultation gives useful context for bodywork sessions, since understanding your Chinese medicine pattern informs how meridian work, cupping, and moxibustion are approached. If you are unsure, the free 20-minute introductory call is a good starting point.

Can I have herbal medicine consultations if I am not based in Portugal?

Yes — 聽 The Listening Clinic operates entirely online and is available to clients anywhere in the EU. Herbal prescriptions are sent directly to you from a regulated specialist supplier within the EU.

What is dry needling and how is it different from acupuncture?

Dry needling uses fine needles inserted into myofascial trigger points to release muscular tension and reduce pain. It works directly with the neuromuscular system and is particularly effective for chronic muscular pain, tension headaches, and restricted movement. While the needles used are the same as those in acupuncture, the approach is distinct — focused on musculoskeletal presentation rather than the full Chinese medicine channel system. In this practice, dry needling is informed by a complete Chinese medicine training, which adds diagnostic precision that purely anatomical approaches may lack.

What is Vital Forms?

Vital Forms is a structured creative prescription offered as part of clinical care — particularly within the menopause specialisation. Drawing on Chinese medicine's understanding of shen (spirit) and its need for expression, and on decades of teaching practice across the arts, Vital Forms offers writing, drawing, music, and movement practices calibrated to where you are in your life and treatment. It is available one-to-one online or in person in Portugal, and as small group workshops.

What is yangsheng?

Yangsheng (养生) is the Chinese medicine art of nourishing life — a set of practices for cultivating and maintaining vitality through attention to diet, movement, rest, seasonal rhythms, and the quality of one's inner life. It is the preventive and self-care dimension of Chinese medicine, and it informs the lifestyle and dietary guidance offered in all consultations.

How do I know which treatment is right for me?

The free 20-minute introductory call is designed exactly for this question. It gives us both a chance to understand what you are dealing with and what approach might serve you best — without any obligation to proceed.